|
|
Post by Quint on Sept 30, 2018 8:53:12 GMT -6
I realize this may seem like a bit of an apples to oranges type of comparison, but the price of some of these La2a clones puts it in the same ballpark as the JLM La500a, though the kit would be cheaper.
I've not heard any of these La2a clones or the La500a but I've heard a lot of good things about the JLM and the La2a (or its clones) is, well, the La2a.
I realize that the La500a is not directly trying to be a La2a (or clone), but a lot of people seem to rave about it on vocals. If you were looking for something to primarily use on vocals, would you prefer the La500a or a La2a clone?
|
|
|
|
Post by notneeson on Sept 30, 2018 9:38:24 GMT -6
Love JLM. Have only used his Go Between kits though.
I like solid state optos just fine (alactronics modded LA4, IC Brute), but right now I'm tempted by the KT2A, to be honest. I have time on the ADL and Drip tube stuff which can be really nice paired with an 1176 for super up front vox.
|
|
|
|
Post by drbill on Sept 30, 2018 9:40:04 GMT -6
I'd probably head to the LA2a. I've got a pair of the LA500a's, and also 4 Serpent 3a's and some nice high end custom built 2a's. The serpents always get used. The LA500a's seem to not get used that much. Not sure why..... They are nice comps. They just never get me too excited for whatever reason. The 2a's are really nice. But again....for some reason, the serpent 3a's always get the first patch....
|
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Sept 30, 2018 10:06:16 GMT -6
Love JLM. Have only used his Go Between kits though. I like solid state optos just fine (alactronics modded LA4, IC Brute), but right now I'm tempted by the KT2A, to be honest. I have time on the ADL and Drip tube stuff which can be really nice paired with an 1176 for super up front vox. The new low price on the KT-2a is tempting, I must agree. And, if I went the La2a route, I would also be pairing it with an 1176 at least some of the time. |
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Sept 30, 2018 10:09:24 GMT -6
I'd probably head to the LA2a. I've got a pair of the LA500a's, and also 4 Serpent 3a's and some nice high end custom built 2a's. The serpents always get used. The LA500a's seem to not get used that much. Not sure why..... They are nice comps. They just never get me too excited for whatever reason. The 2a's are really nice. But again....for some reason, the serpent 3a's always get the first patch.... Would you say that the JLM is more like a La2a or La3a? |
|
|
|
Post by drbill on Sept 30, 2018 11:19:31 GMT -6
That's a hard one....
It doesn't have the spank or the crystalline nature of the 3a's. Softer and more transparent sounding? Hard to put it into words. But it doesn't have the goo of the 2a's. Maybe in the middle.... Again, hard to put into words, and completely subjective. Honestly, when I bought them I was hoping for another pair of 3a's, and that they weren't. That's not to say they are not good, and their own thing. Clean / transparent-isn opto.
(PS - side note : sent you an email on the bays a few days ago.....)
|
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Sept 30, 2018 11:28:52 GMT -6
That's a hard one.... It doesn't have the spank or the crystalline nature of the 3a's. Softer and more transparent sounding? Hard to put it into words. But it doesn't have the goo of the 2a's. Maybe in the middle.... Again, hard to put into words, and completely subjective. Honestly, when I bought them I was hoping for another pair of 3a's, and that they weren't. That's not to say they are not good, and their own thing. Clean / transparent-isn opto. (PS - side note : sent you an email on the bays a few days ago.....) I sure do like the grab on 3a's. That said, I'm looking for something I can park on the vocal chain during tracking, so it needs to (in conjunction with an 1176) be easy to dial in and flexible enough to deal with different kinds of vocals. I've used 2a's before but never owned one. I've got several 3a clones. I suppose the 2a is a staple on vocals for a reason though. I'll check my email. I may have missed it. |
|
|
|
Post by drbill on Sept 30, 2018 11:38:22 GMT -6
The LA500a's seem to fit the bill for your applications. The "action" of the compressors -- 500a vs. 2a -- are similar. So maybe it just boils down to "do I need some tube action or not"....
|
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Sept 30, 2018 11:49:55 GMT -6
The LA500a's seem to fit the bill for your applications. The "action" of the compressors -- 500a vs. 2a -- are similar. So maybe it just boils down to "do I need some tube action or not".... It's the action I care most about, not that some tube tone wouldn't also be nice. |
|
|
|
Post by sean on Sept 30, 2018 13:06:12 GMT -6
The LA500A sounds like it would suit your needs, and it’s also one the easier builds. drbill is right on with the description. The multiple attack times and ratio’s and hi pass filters make it really flexible as well. I think the kits are about $350? One of the better values out there
|
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Sept 30, 2018 13:20:40 GMT -6
The LA500A sounds like it would suit your needs, and it’s also one the easier builds. drbill is right on with the description. The multiple attack times and ratio’s and hi pass filters make it really flexible as well. I think the kits are about $350? One of the better values out there The kit price for the La500a is about the same as the new low price for the KT-2a. They're both about $350 at the current exchange rate. I guess one of the things that appeals about the La2a is that it is dead simple to set up, which I tend to prefer in a tracking scenario. The question would ultimately be whether or not I would prefer an 1176 into (insert La2a clone) over just using a La500a by itself? |
|
|
|
Post by sean on Sept 30, 2018 13:27:06 GMT -6
It looks like prices in the states for the KT-2A are still $499, but if you’re willing to order from Europe at the discounted rate I suppose if you didn’t like it you could probably make your money back...or turn a profit
|
|
|
|
Post by drbill on Sept 30, 2018 13:54:15 GMT -6
I think you'll be good either way you decide!! KT2a or LA500a. I have not used the KT unit, but have the KT EQP. If I was making your decision between those two units and had the rack space, I'd probably check out the KT2a.
But again, no real bad decision between the two IMO.
|
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Sept 30, 2018 14:08:32 GMT -6
I think you'll be good either way you decide!! KT2a or LA500a. I have not used the KT unit, but have the KT EQP. If I was making your decision between those two units and had the rack space, I'd probably check out the KT2a. But again, no real bad decision between the two IMO. I also have a pair of the KT-eqp, which is what made me consider the KT2a, especially for the price. |
|
|
|
Post by wiz on Sept 30, 2018 16:47:51 GMT -6
I own the LA500, a STAM SA2A and a Drip LA2A.
Want me to run something through them for you?
cheers
Wiz
|
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Sept 30, 2018 18:49:19 GMT -6
I own the LA500, a STAM SA2A and a Drip LA2A. Want me to run something through them for you? cheers Wiz That would be great. My computer and everything else is in disarray right now, so I don't have the ability to send you anything, but I'm sure I would be happy with whatever you can run through them. I guess vocals is primarily what I'm looking for. Thanks. |
|
|
|
Post by wiz on Sept 30, 2018 20:39:05 GMT -6
I own the LA500, a STAM SA2A and a Drip LA2A. Want me to run something through them for you? cheers Wiz That would be great. My computer and everything else is in disarray right now, so I don't have the ability to send you anything, but I'm sure I would be happy with whatever you can run through them. I guess vocals is primarily what I'm looking for. Thanks. Wait till you have something, then you will be 100%, cause, you know.. its yours.. cheers Wiz |
|
|
|
Post by aamicrophones on Oct 1, 2018 16:05:19 GMT -6
I realize this may seem like a bit of an apples to oranges type of comparison, but the price of some of these La2a clones puts it in the same ballpark as the JLM La500a, though the kit would be cheaper. I've not heard any of these La2a clones or the La500a but I've heard a lot of good things about the JLM and the La2a (or its clones) is, well, the La2a. I realize that the La500a is not directly trying to be a La2a (or clone), but a lot of people seem to rave about it on vocals. If you were looking for something to primarily use on vocals, would you prefer the La500a or a La2a clone? Hi Quint, I have 4-LA610 preamps which have an LA2 attached. I love these on vocals but I have modified mine by changing the output tube in the preamp section and compressor section to those in the original LA2 and changed the plate resistor value on the circuit board to optimize these tubes.
The LA500 runs on + and - 16 volts as does all 500 gear which means you have maximum headroom of +18dbu from the LA500.
Now, the LA610 after the upgrade has the same headroom +18dbu before the onset of distortion but as we all should know a tube circuit appears sonically to have 20db more headroom than an equivalent solid state circuit. The other advantage of the LA610 other than tubes is that is also has some tube EQ which is subtle but lovely on vocals.
The EQ is selected at 10Khz/7Khz and 4.5Khz for the HF section and 200hz/100hz and 70hz for the low frequency section. 2-3db at 200hz yields a more U47 sound.
I have two more used fully upgraded LA610MKII that I would sell for $1095 USD each plus shipping. I will be posting these unit on Reverb.com later in the week.
Cheers, Dave aamicrophones.com
|
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on Oct 2, 2018 4:16:19 GMT -6
How does the JLM compare to something like a Langevin ELOP?
|
|
|
|
Post by the other mark williams on Oct 2, 2018 18:07:32 GMT -6
I had a Langevin (Manley) Dual Vocal Combo for a number of years. I sold it about 10 years ago. The pre wasn't great, but I loved the ELOP section.
|
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Oct 2, 2018 18:18:43 GMT -6
That would be great. My computer and everything else is in disarray right now, so I don't have the ability to send you anything, but I'm sure I would be happy with whatever you can run through them. I guess vocals is primarily what I'm looking for. Thanks. Wait till you have something, then you will be 100%, cause, you know.. its yours.. cheers Wiz Well it wouldn't be for my vocals, as I don't sing. It would be for other's vocals. Regardless, I don't have anything to send at the moment and won't for a while. How would you maybe describe the differences? |
|
|
|
Post by wiz on Oct 2, 2018 19:09:58 GMT -6
Wait till you have something, then you will be 100%, cause, you know.. its yours.. cheers Wiz Well it wouldn't be for my vocals, as I don't sing. It would be for other's vocals. Regardless, I don't have anything to send at the moment and won't for a while. How would you maybe describe the differences? Drip La2a really high quality sounding, awesome on bass, sounds really hi fi (my drip has 3 different att/rel speeds) Drip Sta level, gooey, makes you a better singer, you float on it. LA500 can be just about the BEST vocal LIMITER going, a bargain. I use them all for different things. Cheers Wiz |
|
|
|
Post by Quint on Oct 2, 2018 19:32:43 GMT -6
Well it wouldn't be for my vocals, as I don't sing. It would be for other's vocals. Regardless, I don't have anything to send at the moment and won't for a while. How would you maybe describe the differences? Drip La2a really high quality sounding, awesome on bass, sounds really hi fi (my drip has 3 different att/rel speeds) Drip Sta level, gooey, makes you a better singer, you float on it. LA500 can be just about the BEST vocal LIMITER going, a bargain. I use them all for different things. Cheers Wiz Thanks for the comparisons. Though I thought you said you had a Stam La2a, not a Drip Sta Level? |
|
|
|
Post by wiz on Oct 2, 2018 19:46:45 GMT -6
I do 🙂
I have drip la2a, two drip Sta Levels, and a Stam SA2A.
The Stam SA2A gets used at mixdown on my main vocal in conjunction with Stam SA76. I track my vocal through the Sta Level
Cheers
Wiz
|
|
|
|
Post by cowboycoalminer on Oct 2, 2018 20:30:14 GMT -6
The LA 500 is more than usable. It's not the same wooly type comp as the la2a. It's faster and perhaps cleaner. I've got both and I love my la 500 on any source. Great on vocals.
|
|
