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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2017 16:09:36 GMT -6
www.jlmaudio.com/shop/la500a-opto-comp-kit.htmlThis may be my new DIY crush. (pun intended, insert groan here). After KevinNYC mentioned JLM in the Sound Skulptor thread, I realized I had forgotten about JLM and went to the site and saw this baby. The functionality looks pretty awesome and I'm a sucker for a VU meter over a stack of drag strip lights. Anyone have any experience with this? Build looks pretty easy.
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Post by mdmitch2 on Apr 14, 2017 16:48:44 GMT -6
These are great compressors, I've built several of them. The updated 'A' version is easier to build too. A lot of people say they prefer them to LA3As... I'm getting ready to build a Serpent SA-3A, so I'll compare...
To me the LA500a sounds fairly transparent, but it adds a nice low/low mid thickness. You have to hit it pretty hard for the compression to be noticeable. The side chain options are really useful, as is the slow attack mode for bass.
You do have to calibrate the metering, which is a tad fiddly, as with any compressor. Just make sure you let them warm up for a good hour before you calibrate. Otherwise the meter will drift a little.
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Post by stratboy on Apr 14, 2017 16:49:04 GMT -6
I think Wiz has built JLM gear. He may have some good comments.
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Post by kevinnyc on Apr 14, 2017 16:53:43 GMT -6
Gonna build a second so I can have a pair on clean and acoustic guitar bus....for about $800 all in...
I appreciate that just like my elop....it's real hard to use it wrong....and that forgiving quality sometimes saves my ass when I'm wearing multiple hats....i.e. Performing while recording myself and others...
The slow attack push/pull knob is a nice feature too!
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Post by rowmat on Apr 14, 2017 18:02:37 GMT -6
We have two LA500A's.
They do thicken up things.
High pass is good for letting the beef through on bass, toms etc.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2017 10:28:10 GMT -6
Liking what I'm hearing from you guys. This baby sounds like a winner.
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Post by Tommy Harron on May 1, 2017 7:32:29 GMT -6
These are great compressors, I've built several of them. The updated 'A' version is easier to build too. A lot of people say they prefer them to LA3As... I'm getting ready to build a Serpent SA-3A, so I'll compare... To me the LA500a sounds fairly transparent, but it adds a nice low/low mid thickness. You have to hit it pretty hard for the compression to be noticeable. The side chain options are really useful, as is the slow attack mode for bass. You do have to calibrate the metering, which is a tad fiddly, as with any compressor. Just make sure you let them warm up for a good hour before you calibrate. Otherwise the meter will drift a little. - Did you ever compare the LA500A to the Serpent SA-3A? |
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Post by mdmitch2 on May 1, 2017 8:15:21 GMT -6
These are great compressors, I've built several of them. The updated 'A' version is easier to build too. A lot of people say they prefer them to LA3As... I'm getting ready to build a Serpent SA-3A, so I'll compare... To me the LA500a sounds fairly transparent, but it adds a nice low/low mid thickness. You have to hit it pretty hard for the compression to be noticeable. The side chain options are really useful, as is the slow attack mode for bass. You do have to calibrate the metering, which is a tad fiddly, as with any compressor. Just make sure you let them warm up for a good hour before you calibrate. Otherwise the meter will drift a little. - Did you ever compare the LA500A to the Serpent SA-3A? I haven't yet -- I need to order some Opto's for the SA-3A, then I can compare. I was going to build my own opto's, but I'm feeling lazy, so I'm just gonna get the keneteks... |
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Post by drbill on May 9, 2017 13:48:43 GMT -6
I finally decided to pull the trigger on a pair of these. The AUD to USD rate is very favorable, my LA2a's are down for the foreseeable future, and I love Opto based comps. Should have em in a few days - maybe next week. Woohooo!
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Post by mdmitch2 on May 9, 2017 13:54:39 GMT -6
I finally decided to pull the trigger on a pair of these. The AUD to USD rate is very favorable, my LA2a's are down for the foreseeable future, and I love Opto based comps. Should have em in a few days - maybe next week. Woohooo! Looking forward to hearing your impressions! |
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Post by drbill on May 9, 2017 13:55:36 GMT -6
I finally decided to pull the trigger on a pair of these. The AUD to USD rate is very favorable, my LA2a's are down for the foreseeable future, and I love Opto based comps. Should have em in a few days - maybe next week. Woohooo! Looking forward to hearing your impressions! Cool. It's got some stiff competition (Serpent SA3a). |
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Post by kevinnyc on May 10, 2017 6:11:35 GMT -6
Looking forward to hearing your impressions! Cool. It's got some stiff competition (Serpent SA3a). If you don't love them, or at least really, really like them you'll be the first person I've encountered with such an opinion  Looking forward to your thoughts on how they perform vs the Serpents... |
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Post by drbill on May 10, 2017 9:45:08 GMT -6
Cool. It's got some stiff competition (Serpent SA3a). If you don't love them, or at least really, really like them you'll be the first person I've encountered with such an opinion Looking forward to your thoughts on how they perform vs the Serpents... I'm sure I'll like em. Otherwise I wouldnt have bought em. Looking forward to getting them!!! |
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Post by drbill on May 10, 2017 9:46:58 GMT -6
PS - I'm hoping they are a bit different than the Serpents, but even if they are identical, I'll still love em, because the Serpent 3a might be my desert island comp.
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Post by jayson on May 12, 2017 22:00:37 GMT -6
Gotta say, this one has been on my radar for a while. They do seem pretty intriguing. The build looks like it would be pretty easy, I'm sure that transformer adds some really nice iron to the sound and you gotta dig the look. But it's not an actual opto though, is it? I don't see one in that nice pic of the board. Is it a really small opto unit you just can't see in the pic? How is the compression actually working? Anybody tried experimenting with other OpAmps?  The EQ looks real interesting too. |
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Post by kevinnyc on May 13, 2017 7:21:09 GMT -6
Yep...it's a small opto cell...
I haven't tried any other op amps though.....haven't felt the need because it sounds so great as is.....(it does make me want to try the 990 style in other gear....I'm currently running dozens of 2520/1731's and a few red dots and I really like what the 990 does in contrast.
That eq does look amazing....I also want a pair of his pres....
I kind of look at Joe Malone the same way I look at Jeff Steiger....if it's coming out of their shops I know it's going to sound great sight unseen and be a ridiculous value for the money!
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Post by rob61 on May 13, 2017 12:20:46 GMT -6
The LA500A uses a modern opto-isolator. If you buy a pair, they try to match them. I have a pair to which I added the new upgrade. The slow/fast attack feature makes them more usable. They do add a bit of weight to the sound (thanks to the transformer) which is pleasing. I also have the Serpent SA-3a which I use more on a day-to-day basis. Both are good units.
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Post by drbill on May 29, 2017 17:58:23 GMT -6
I also have the Serpent SA-3a which I use more on a day-to-day basis. Both are good units. OK. I've had the LA500A's for a couple of weeks now, and I've had the opportunity to use them on 2-3 mixes. I'm liking them a lot, but I'm pretty much with Rob61 - I like my Serpent SA-3a's a bit more. The serpents just have something about them. The LA500A's are really nice though, and they are a keeper for sure. Cheers, bp |
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