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Post by copperx on Jan 14, 2023 23:10:08 GMT -6
Hi! I'm looking for an LA3A clone (DIY is fine, either 500 series or standalone, doesn't matter), specifically for enhancing crunch guitars (I'm after that midrange push), and I have been looking at: - GAP Comp-3A
- JLM LA500
- Sound Skulptor LA502
- Fredenstein Artistic Compressor
And obviously also the
Which are 2x the price of the aftermentioned ones.
My question is, are the Audioscape or Stam worth the 2x price of the other ones, in terms of performance? Or could I get a similar effect with the inexpensive ones?
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Post by seawell on Jan 15, 2023 2:21:14 GMT -6
I haven’t used any of them but I did want to point out that the Stam also has the LA4 mode included. I’d love to have a pair of 3a style comps one day so I’m curious to hear from those that have experience with these units.
I’ve also heard good things about the Serpent Audio Chimera so you may want to consider it as well, although that’s moving in the wrong direction price wise 😫
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Post by tkaitkai on Jan 15, 2023 6:08:43 GMT -6
I had the GAP for a good two years or so and it was a great piece of kit. It does exactly what you described on guitars, and you can push it really hard before it starts falling apart. For $500, you really can’t go wrong.
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Post by sean on Jan 15, 2023 7:33:19 GMT -6
The JLM LA500A is a great sounding compressor and an easy build if you are DIY inclined
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Post by spindrift on Jan 15, 2023 7:57:38 GMT -6
I have a Mohog Mo3A 2ch 2U unit which is great but is pretty rare these days.
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Post by Darren Boling on Jan 15, 2023 9:03:41 GMT -6
I had the GAP for a good two years or so and it was a great piece of kit. It does exactly what you described on guitars, and you can push it really hard before it starts falling apart. For $500, you really can’t go wrong. I second this. I got mine in a pinch and ended up very surprised at how well it performed. I'm also curious in the results as I love LA3A's. A few more to mention, Serpent Chimera and APA Leviathan. |
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Post by drbill on Jan 15, 2023 9:42:48 GMT -6
Serpent rack mount. SA3a's. If you can find em. I've got 4 of them. Love them!!!
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Post by keymod on Jan 15, 2023 9:50:03 GMT -6
We have two of the Sound Skulptor LA502 which do what they're supposed to. We like them a lot
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Post by stam on Jan 15, 2023 10:06:29 GMT -6
Hi! I'm looking for an LA3A clone (DIY is fine, either 500 series or standalone, doesn't matter), specifically for enhancing crunch guitars (I'm after that midrange push), and I have been looking at: - GAP Comp-3A
- JLM LA500
- Sound Skulptor LA502
- Fredenstein Artistic Compressor
And obviously also the
Which are 2x the price of the aftermentioned ones.
My question is, are the Audioscape or Stam worth the 2x price of the other ones, in terms of performance? Or could I get a similar effect with the inexpensive ones?
If you are on a budget I would suggest buying a GAP Comp 3A and replace the T4B with a Kenetek (I think they are about 90 USD). The time constants are the most important aspect of a 3A and you should be able to have a great sounding unit changing it. I am happy to send you one of mine to test but mine are 500 series. |
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Post by theshea on Jan 15, 2023 10:07:29 GMT -6
Hi! I'm looking for an LA3A clone (DIY is fine, either 500 series or standalone, doesn't matter), specifically for enhancing crunch guitars (I'm after that midrange push), and I have been looking at: - GAP Comp-3A
- JLM LA500
- Sound Skulptor LA502
- Fredenstein Artistic Compressor
And obviously also the
Which are 2x the price of the aftermentioned ones.
My question is, are the Audioscape or Stam worth the 2x price of the other ones, in terms of performance? Or could I get a similar effect with the inexpensive ones?
If you are on a budget I would suggest buying a GAP Comp 3A and replace the T4B with a Kenetek (I think they are about 90 USD). The time constants are the most important aspect of a 3A and you should be able to have a great sounding unit changing it. I am happy to send you one of mine to test but mine are 500 series. whats wrong with the GAP tempos? |
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Post by bgrotto on Jan 15, 2023 10:30:46 GMT -6
I owned a pair of teletronix 3As, and sold them when I heard the Audioscapes.
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Post by copperx on Jan 15, 2023 22:36:34 GMT -6
We have two of the Sound Skulptor LA502 which do what they're supposed to. We like them a lot Do they have the midrange push? |
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Post by kcatthedog on Jan 16, 2023 6:51:59 GMT -6
The fb pic yesterday of the new Stam dual unit 19 rack, with the 3 and 4 circuits, was pretty sweet.
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Post by copperx on Jan 16, 2023 17:05:44 GMT -6
The fb pic yesterday of the new Stam dual unit 19 rack, with the 3 and 4 circuits, was pretty sweet. Ah! I saw that but I thought it was two 500 Stam 3A modules side by side. |
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Post by kcatthedog on Jan 16, 2023 17:21:06 GMT -6
It didn’t actuslly say ?!  . A gearguy can dream ! |
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Post by keymod on Jan 16, 2023 17:28:28 GMT -6
We have two of the Sound Skulptor LA502 which do what they're supposed to. We like them a lot Do they have the midrange push? No, that is more an LA3 thing. These LA502 are pretty much like an LA2 |
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Post by Chad on Jan 16, 2023 23:05:47 GMT -6
Serpent rack mount. SA3a's. If you can find em. I've got 4 of them. Love them!!! Also, Serpent Chimera in 500 format. Supposedly they sound identical to the 19” rack version. |
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Post by jaba on Jan 17, 2023 10:20:59 GMT -6
The JLM LA500A is a great sounding compressor and an easy build if you are DIY inclined Curious about this one. Does it have the midrange push of a 3A or is it sonically more in line with the 2As? |
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Post by robo on Jan 17, 2023 10:43:31 GMT -6
The JLM LA500A is a great sounding compressor and an easy build if you are DIY inclined Curious about this one. Does it have the midrange push of a 3A or is it sonically more in line with the 2As? Neither. It has a weight/depth/clarity thing going on. If you’ve ever used Burl converters/pres, I’d compare it to that transformer tone. Sort of tapeish. If you’re looking for that 3A box tone, I trust that Audioscape nailed it. |
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Post by Ward on Jan 17, 2023 14:50:51 GMT -6
I have a Mohog Mo3A 2ch 2U unit which is great but is pretty rare these days. Brandon did a great job on that, but like you said, it's unobtanium now. |
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Post by Ward on Jan 17, 2023 14:58:19 GMT -6
Hi! I'm looking for an LA3A clone SNIP My question is, are the Audioscape or Stam worth the 2x price of the other ones, in terms of performance? Or could I get a similar effect with the inexpensive ones? But I will tell you that $699 is not double $500 and you know I'm gonna speak on behalf of the AS. Cos it's a 1:1 recreation of the LA3a in a 500 series single space. I have both. I owned a pair of teletronix 3As, and sold them when I heard the Audioscapes. I used my old La3a and the V3a interchangeably. I cannot tell them apart. Sold me on it. Does it have the midrange push of a 3A or is it sonically more in line with the 2As? It's about a 900 centered wide bubble of midrange and it's part of the reason why the 3a pushes guitars forward. There are three audioscape options you have to consider, obviously the V3a convenient link to click but also the D3a (basically two lined-up V3as in a horizontal case with a special power supply) and the forthcoming DA3a which is two side by side 3a clones in a 2U enclosure - once they arrive, supply chain issues <sigh> But I will tell you that $699 is not double $500 and you know I'm gonna speak on behalf of the AS. Cos it's a 1:1 recreation of the LA3a in a 500 series single space. I have both. We guarantee satisfaction. Money-back guarantee. What else is good? The Mohog but it's off the market. And the stam is good too. And as Dr. Bill said, the Chimera or Serpent SA3a. I hope you find that objective, fair and reasonable. |
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Post by copperx on Jan 17, 2023 18:05:33 GMT -6
Thank you for your detailed answer! Spending that extra $200 might be a better idea indeed. |
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Post by smashlord on Jan 17, 2023 19:32:53 GMT -6
I think the Serpent Chimera is the best sounding clone I have heard but also the most expensive by a fair amount. That said, I own 2x Audioscape V3As and find them to be quite good. There were 3 original ones I used to use on the reg (though I have been recently informed that they were all modded in some way or another FWIW) and I currently use 2x UA re-issues a lot. The AS sound to me more like the UA re-issues in tone than the vintage ones I used... cleaner, more hi fi, less rolled off top. This is neither a negative or a positive, just an observation.
I bought the AS for vocals, but have found they don't quite do what one of the vintage ones I used to use would do (could be the aforementioned mods AFAIK). They seem slightly grabbier for that application but I LOVE them on bass and acoustic guitars. My only critique is that the meters don't seem too accurate which is noticeable when trying to calibrate both units with a tone.
I should mention AS customer service is quite excellent.
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Post by bgrotto on Jan 17, 2023 21:56:23 GMT -6
Hi! I'm looking for an LA3A clone SNIP My question is, are the Audioscape or Stam worth the 2x price of the other ones, in terms of performance? Or could I get a similar effect with the inexpensive ones? But I will tell you that $699 is not double $500 and you know I'm gonna speak on behalf of the AS. Cos it's a 1:1 recreation of the LA3a in a 500 series single space. I have both. I owned a pair of teletronix 3As, and sold them when I heard the Audioscapes. I used my old La3a and the V3a interchangeably. I cannot tell them apart. Sold me on it. Does it have the midrange push of a 3A or is it sonically more in line with the 2As? It's about a 900 centered wide bubble of midrange and it's part of the reason why the 3a pushes guitars forward. There are three audioscape options you have to consider, obviously the V3a convenient link to click but also the D3a (basically two lined-up V3as in a horizontal case with a special power supply) and the forthcoming DA3a which is two side by side 3a clones in a 2U enclosure - once they arrive, supply chain issues <sigh> But I will tell you that $699 is not double $500 and you know I'm gonna speak on behalf of the AS. Cos it's a 1:1 recreation of the LA3a in a 500 series single space. I have both. We guarantee satisfaction. Money-back guarantee. What else is good? The Mohog but it's off the market. And the stam is good too. And as Dr. Bill said, the Chimera or Serpent SA3a. I hope you find that objective, fair and reasonable. I had a very easy time distinguishing my AS 3A from my tele 3A. The AS 3a had a much more neutral and extended top end; the Tele units (being 50-ish years old!) noticeably rolled off the HF. I don't chalk this up to 'box tone', per se, but more to the fact that my half-century old compressors needed a recap. The compression action and midrange were identical to my Tele boxes to my ears. The bottom end was a bit more extended on the AS box; again, probably a capacitor issue. For the types of things I like 3As on, this extended bandwidth suited me very nicely. The rest of the tone nailed the vintage 3A action, and it made selling those old units an easy decision (especially given the price tag they're fetching these days). As an aside, I suspect at least some portion of what we accept as 'vintage tone' has to do less with the sound of the unit as intended by the designers, and more to do with old electrolytics. Anyone who's ever worked on a vintage Neve desk that's been freshly re-capped knows EXACTLY what I mean. |
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Post by copperx on Jan 17, 2023 22:19:14 GMT -6
But I will tell you that $699 is not double $500 and you know I'm gonna speak on behalf of the AS. Cos it's a 1:1 recreation of the LA3a in a 500 series single space. I have both. Just one small correction ... it's $799, at least on Audioscape's site. |
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. A gearguy can dream !
