Wow, its that simple, this video was so easy to understand, this will make my mixing as a newbie to prouction of my material so much easier. Thanks 💯👍🏽
Thank you so much for pointing out that YT can compromise audio in their videos. So many channels will A/B plugins without giving commentary, and between YT’s compression and my A/C blasting half the time, sometimes I can’t even hear a difference between A/B’s. Thank you for sometimes exaggerating things so that the differences are more obvious, and giving commentary on everything you’re doing. I just discovered your channel and have already been watching for an hour. This is quality stuff.
As far as I know, the LA2A does *not* have fixed Attack/Release times. They are what's called program dependent, meaning that they'll self-adjust over time based on how much compression is happening. I guess by "fixed" you meant to say "user can't control them", which is true, sure. But they're not really "fixed", at least not in the real units. And while you do everything in the correct order, dial in Peak Reduction first and use Gain later, it may have been worthwhile to explain to those who don't know that the Gain is actually happening AFTER the Compression. On most compressors, you have a Gain knob that you use to boost the signal into the Threshold, and this is NOT the case with this specific model. You chop the tops off first, then bring the lost volume back. Took me a while to understand that (who reads manuals anyway, sheesh), but helped me understand that compressor model so much better. :) Anyway: thanks for your videos! :)
Yeah different iterations of the LA-2A's have different attack and release times... even ratios... the LA-2 has the slowest release, the Silver has the fastest, and the Grey sits between the two. I'm sure it's different w other non UAD plugs 👍
I recently learned something that helped me understand opto compressors. On release, gain reduction actually slows down as the needle approaches zero. FET compressors speed up as the GR needle approaches zero. Digital compressors have a consistent release speed regardless of how close the needle is to zero. (Note: This is second hand information, so it could be wrong. But I have observed this behavior on plugins, such as Waves RComp which can do both modes.)
Thorough and insightful, as usual, Pete! This one also applies to the Cakewalk CA-2A vst, too, which I use more than my IK, but I'm starting to use my PSP Oldtimer more often. This vid and your 1176 one cover an awful lot that you'd need to know about compression. Well done! Michael
There's also the Cakewalk CA-2A. Similar to the UAD version I guess. But I noticed the Cakewalk version sounds different than the Waves version. Funny but true. Thanks for this video! Will try it on bass :)
I have the UAD LA-2A and it sounds sick, but the one thing that is not clear at all is how much make-up gain is really happening? That is the only thing that frustrates me about this plugin. I love the color and or tone it adds to a lead vocal and or bass. I like a plugin visually like the stock Pro Tools compressor that you can really dial in the make-up gain and really see how much you're doing with real numbers. I wish this one had the same meters!
great video, simple clear and straightforward. i got the UA LA2A legacy with my apollo and i am trying the CL1B out on a 14 day demo. i gather they are both optical compressors, any thoughts on the comparison between those two? my main use is for my vocal, tracking and mixing i guess. also what is the difference between the different UA LA2As ? i think there are four of them! thanks again.
Hey there Pete! Hope you're doing well! I'm an audio engineer of 10+ years and I just came across your videos a few days ago..I've watched a whole lot of them already and really enjoying the stuff you've put up! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and putting in the time and effort! Looking forward to more! All the best!
I use a stereo optical comp (hardware) on my drum buss all the time, and LA-2A sounds great on snare to let the initial snap punch through. Don't always use it on snare, as sometimes I want a longer attack, up to 30ms, but the main reason is the release can be too slow for really fast material. Don't often use it on bass, but will now, especially on bass buss (trying saying that quickly!). P.S. great vid as usual, just a few points of clarification: The ratios are 4:1, and 10:1, and the gain won't 'run it hotter' as it's an output gain, I think you meant the track, but in the context open to misinterpretation, as the input is at unity, which is why sometimes you need to use a trim before if the track has been recorded at stupid o'clock.
Dan Johnson Great points! I always advocate doing whatever YOU like the sound and result of :-) As with most things audio, there's a dozen different ways to do most things. At the end of the day a Compressor compresses and an eq eq's... the rest is up to you 👍
Dan Johnson Also, the LA2A i use (the UAD collection) is a 3:1 ratio in compression mode... Furthermore, LA2A's ratios fluctuate depending on the source so you're splitting hairs, Dan ;-) And yes I mean a hotter (louder) volume.
HBONTHETRACK Thanks! 👍 By clean and crispy video I'm assuming you mean the visual resolution? If so, I use Screenflow to record my computer and I export my video at 1440p... Then I compress it before uploading and this is how it comes out 😊
i came here to see the 2 knobs and what they do, but i finally understood that its like the 1176 which is what i thought aswell, but the knobs are inverted
Great video Pete, how about giving us a little forward notice of what you are going to be looking at in the future. It may be people like me don't have the software so it could give us time to look at it as a possible "add on". Of course it does not mean we HAVE to get it but it would help as sometimes there are sales on (like waves at the moment) Thanks
tony dean I'll do my best, Tony! But just letting you know I already know I'm going to be going over Fairchilds, Pultecs, API's, Neve 1073's, SSL eq and Compressor, and an LA-3A. That's off the top of my head so hope that helps, Tony! 😊👍
i just got the classic compressor bundle, when you put lets say the la2a on a vocal..the volume is alot louder...should you dial that back on the compressor? or if it sounds good just adjust the volume on your fader?
Mike Sparks Hey Mike. You can do either or... sometimes I like leaving the volume a bit hot from the compressor because it’s adding color to your signal (emulating when the Audio hits the tubes and the transformers in the comps). So for me it’s a taste thing. 🤙🏻😊
MikeyPressure Thx for checking in, bro. Without getting into personal details I’ve been dealing with some family health issues. Been a tough year. I’ll be back very soon w lots of brand new content. Stay tuned and much love ❤️❤️❤️🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼😎😁 - Pete
On the Cakewalk CA-2A, i have a "fast" option, but i'm not sure if it's good on ie drums, your thoughts? Please don't tell me "just try", as i'm still not sure what i'm doing with compressors. Only with the CA-2A i can (already) hear what i'm doing, and pretty much know what i need to solve, but only on vocals for now. Oh and a video on the 1176 would be nice. Call me crazy, but in my mind he's the LA-2A grand brother ^^ Edit: i just received your last newsletter, where you announce the 1176 "dissect" is on its way. Hehe...
Hey David! So my thoughts on LA-2A's on drums is i don't personally use them. I don't use them because of the slower attack and release times an LA2A has but also because I dont favor the sound of an optical compressor on drums (i prefer FET and VCA style compressors like the 1176 or DBX160). The fast option on your Cakewalk LA2A is referring to the attack and release times (Im assuming as I dont own that plugin). Some plugin companies add cool features to plugins that arent on the hardware like being able to choose a slow, medium, or fast attack and release. Hope that helps. I have a new course on compression coming out soon so stay tuned to the emails and you'll know all about it! :-)
Thank you Pete, it's effectively a fast option about attack and release times. But overall i'm not sure if this comp can be used for everything, something i'm dreaming of, just as a starting point for learning compressors. Now lemme enjoy your today 1176 video, have a nice week-end!
yo, about youtube degrading the quality of the audio, if you do a comparison between the before in after in does shine a light on what its doing, which kinda works and its not like the degradation of quality is that noticable
kenneth johnson You can buy the UAD one from the UAD store or if one prefer the Waves one you can get that from Waves or some other seller like Sweetwater 🤙😁 And then of course other companies make other iterations of the LA-2A
