I love the sound of LA-3A's on guitars, rapidly played basses, certain vocals, even on some synths etc. Fell in love with it spending time at a friend's studio space.

I really like the Tim Petherick LA-3A, but I feel it has to be set very carefully to get it right and doesn't always feel right for a whole song sometimes. The action on the UAD one doesn't feel right to me. The Overloud one to me kinda works but is missing the color or aggression. The Waves CLA-3A is somewhat convincing actually.

Haven't messed with the Sam Pura one or the Apogee one, have you? Any other emus I'm missing?

Also kinda considering getting a Golden Age Project 3A or one of the Audioscape 500 series

 

Loved the Apogee, but ultimately sold it, because I didn't use the LA-3A that much.

I much prefer LA-2A and I use Softube's OPTO for those purposes. It might not be the absolute best, but it has auto gain, high frequency make-up, etc. Just cool plugin all-around.

 

I too of course love 2A's but to me 2A=smooth and 3A=bite, different use cases in my head

 

Black Rooster VLA-3A. https://blackroosteraudio.com/en/products/vla-3a

It is included in the All bundle.

 

Oh yeah, I tried it. Wasn't really convinced. I thought the 2A by them was pretty good though

 

of "direct" emulations, you already covered most of the popular ones.

 

If you think of the Purafied VU Compressor, then yes I have and love it. It basically has just 4 settings with fixed attack/release times... (plus THD control and effective low/high shelving options) but in most cases one of these fit for what I'm looking for in a quick workflow environment. One of the settings is called 3A. Can't tell you if it is authentic. At least it gives me some kind of authentic "using a comp" feeling. Most of the time I'm using it on drums, but I like what it's doing on guitars for example, too. Give it a shot! I have to check out Purafied's other plugins, too, because again, I really like what I get from the VU Compressor, especially despite being sceptical at first.

[Edit]
Looking up the original device again I saw there are no attack/release settings, too. Let me know what you think about the Purafied one, if you try, pls. Because if it reminds you of the feeling using the hardware device, I might consider buying a clone, too.

 

Last edited: Nov 7, 2024

The LA-3A is my favorite overall compressors, I can use them to track almost anything. My desert island comp for sure, as I own 4 hardware channels of LA-3A compressors.

As far as the emulations go you pretty much nailed it. None of them are a replacement for the hardware alternatives. Tim P's is ok, its fiddly to get set up right, and when you do stack all of the components its a bit cloudy compared to the real thing. UAD's is ok, and the Overloud is also ok (the 2a mode is good). The blackrooster's 3a is meh. The old waves CLA 3A is probably the one that is closest the feel, but still has a narrow sweet spot and and the attack/release are not accurately modeling the t4b's timing characteristics.

as far as hardware, you already named some of the options. I personally think the UA reissue and vintage LA-3A's (like a lot of audio hardware right now) are significantly over priced. The best options currently are:

- Serpent Chimera (the exact LA-3A circuit in 500 series format, based on the serpent SA-3A)

- Serpent SA-3A (if you can find a unit for sale)

- Golden Age Comp3a (best value on this list, sound great 97% the sound of an LA-3A. The real la-3a is about 2-5% higher fidelity.

- Golden Age Comp3a (revive audio mod) This mod pretty much upgrades the components in the comp3a with real LA3A spec'd parts and turns the comp 3A into the most transparent opto tracking compressor I've used, probably my favorite on the list.

- Audioscape DA-3A, or single channel V3A 500 series. Audioscape make great stuff.

- Stam offerings: SA3A, S23A+, SA3A+... Stams stuff look interesting, but has a reputation for having too many products in the pipeline and too many delays.

I've owned or used all of them on the list except for the stam and audioscapes new offerings.

 

Have you tried the Summit TLA-100 from Softube? It's ofc not a direct LA-3A emu, but it can definitely get in the ballpark of that sound. One of my favorite opto comp plugins.

I also have an LA-3A preset for TDR Molot GE that I got from somewhere (can't remember). It sounds pretty good, but you have to play around a bit with the second-stage release depending on what source you use it on. Here's the preset:

 

Check Tone Projects Unisum. While not an LA-3A emulation, it has an opto preset and can be fully customized to sound like any compressor you want. Just expand the advanced tab at the bottom and edit until you're happy. Make sure to read the manual.

 

Okay, so I got an aggressive mid range guitar project sent to mix and it was the perfect opportunity to shoot out some LA-3A plugs. I purchased the Apogee Opto-3A plug during black friday sales.

I liked the Purafied one, I felt it did have a bit too much of a jumpy character (kinda dbx 160ish when going from 0 gain reduction to 3+), and I felt the box tone was too exaggerated (even with THD knob at 0), however, I did think it could be useful on perhaps a lackluster rock/rap vocal or maybe on a parallel aux. Going to try the other modes in the plug soon.

Love the TLA-100 (Softube and TimP). I tried the Molot GE preset, very very cool! You were right about the second release stage, I shortened it a bit. Whoever made that knew what they were doing. It's quite convincing, and it's like an LA-3A without the box tone, saved and will be coming back to that at some point for sure.

and starkid84, thank you for your detailed post. I will be buying one later this upcoming year, have yet to decide which route to go.

As for the shootout, the Apogee Opto-3A was the clear winner. Instant familiar feel, mid range push I was expecting, and response felt perfect. Perhaps lacking in the harmonics department, but I'd prefer it that way over being too over hyped

 

Definitely, Audioscape for the win.

 

Adding to the choir of Audioscape. They make excellent gear. I own a few pieces, worth every cent. As far as plugins. I find the Tim P is the best, but as you said, its fiddly. I usually use it paired with the UAD one, or fab filter pro c. I'll get the pro c attack / release dialed in, then slap tim p on doing bare minimum compression, 3ish db, for the vibe.

 

I feel that, the TimP faired very well in my last shootout, narrowly beat for the source material by the Apogee. I ended up using the Apogee paired with the TimP pre and it killed. Will most likely get an Audioscape LA 3 this upcoming year

 

Another big plus for Audioscape. I have their Opto and it's now my vocal sound. If it were a woman I'd marry it if I wasn't already.