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Post by geoff738 on Feb 4, 2014 9:01:49 GMT -6
I'm not really familiar with them. Would love to hear more.
What do they shine on? Anything you don't like them on? How would you describe them sonically?
Are there any good clones or modern takes on them? I know about the Serpent one for 500 series, but I haven't made the leap into the 500 world yet. Any others?
I heard somebody on the other site describe his FMR comp (PC-6A or something like that - too lazy to look it up) as being LA3A like. IIRC, which I may not. Does anybody have any thoughts on that?
Cheers,
Geoff
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 4, 2014 9:14:30 GMT -6
For me, the LA-3A is my favorite acoustic guitar comp. I guess it's just the way the attack and release are set on it that just seems to shine on acoustic.
I haven't used this FMR comp, but it seems to have quite a rep. Basically every comp thread I see, some is saying that the FMR PBC-6A is just like the comp being discussed. API 2500, PCB-6A is just like it. Chandler Germ, PCB-6A is just like it. 1176, PCB-6A is just like it. Distressor, PCB-6A is just like it. I'm sure it's not a bad comp, but I think the hype might be a bit overblown.
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Post by Ward on Feb 4, 2014 9:24:57 GMT -6
I love the LA3a on electric guitar amps!! I hardly ever record one without it.
I've tried to explain various comp/limiters in the past this way:
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Post by Martin John Butler on Feb 4, 2014 10:15:21 GMT -6
I think the LA3A was used for Adele's vocal chain on "21 ". If true, that's not too shabby, eh?
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 4, 2014 10:42:36 GMT -6
I have a pair of serpent sa3a's '(chimera 19") under construction, I've used la3a's in my past and always liked them, but it seems as of late, every time I inquire about a chain on a track I like, the 3 is a part of it?? It's got me excited about finishing these up!
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Post by popmann on Feb 4, 2014 12:54:58 GMT -6
The La3a is a wonderful vocal compressor--if what you need is naturally upping the RMS to sit in a mix. If you're looking to "correct" uneven musical dynamics, it's worthless. You want a 76 or Fairchild plug.
I own one...I use it for MY vocals...and clients who sing...um, I'm gonna say a certain way. For most, I end up using a Fairchild limiter or VCA leveling more. In my attempt to get completely ITB, I've been trying to use the Fairchild or VCAs on ME more...mixed results so far...
Never been a fan on electric guitar....unless it's HEAVY electric guitar where it's useful in reviving pick attacks from walls of dirt. I always prefer a tube unit for Egtr because I just find tube compression more...a natural extension of the sound of an amp. 3a and 76 transformers make the guitar sound HARDER...which again-if it's heavy may be the point since dirty guitars have NO dynamic range to speak of to begin with...
It's also good at bass, but again--it's good for leveling--not really manipulating the envelope to "punch" better (where you need full control of ratio/attk/release)...both it and the 2a are about creaming a bass into being a wall of low end, which you hear on tons of records. Not MY style as a bass playing engineer...but...I can't deny it's popularity. And the 3a will deliver that.
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Post by popmann on Feb 4, 2014 12:58:27 GMT -6
I should also mention, I own the 3a for vocals....OVER a 2a. All day every day. The 2a is a HUGE color box. And if you LOVe that color...cool...but, IME, it doesn't always add to the sound something I like (for vocals)...thus, the 3a is THAT compression without THAT over the top tubey throaty color.
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Post by drbill on Feb 4, 2014 13:35:02 GMT -6
The 3As are my alltime fave compressor. Used on ac gtrs,. elec gtrs, vocals, bass and lots of other stuff. If I had to sell off all my hardware comps, the SA3A;s would be the last to go. These days, I'm using the Serpents.
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Post by dandeurloo on Feb 4, 2014 14:56:31 GMT -6
I used this Chimera (500 series la3a) yesterday on drums and bass. It was awesome. I had a fantastic bass tone in ten seconds. Vp312 di, missing link into the chimera. Killer player killer tone.
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Post by BradM on Feb 4, 2014 17:00:50 GMT -6
I want one of the Serpent Chimeras badly. I was just talking to Mike about it last night and he explained how it is a true LA3A in every way. No compromises were made to fit it all in a 500 series module. It's all in there. I have a Drip LA2A I built about a year ago. It sounds amazing, but I think a Serpent Chimera would compliment that rather well.  Brad |
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Post by deehope on Feb 4, 2014 19:07:26 GMT -6
Anyone on here use a jlm la500? I heard those do the la3a really good as well.
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Post by popmann on Feb 4, 2014 19:08:35 GMT -6
I'll also point out that there's actually NO way a 500 series sounds the same--because UA's doesn't sound the same--and you couldn't GET this transformer into a 500 series. It may sound functionally similar...and that's fine...but, it's been my experience, having had like 4 of them here at one point--that no 3a sounds the same...and the new ones don't even act the same...they're functionally similar...but, if you want a 3a--buy one before they get crazy expensive like a vintage 2a is now.
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Post by drbill on Feb 4, 2014 19:28:11 GMT -6
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 4, 2014 19:36:00 GMT -6
Does the Chimera add any color?
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 4, 2014 19:49:05 GMT -6
The 500 series chimera is EXACTLY schematically identical to the la3a, it uses t4b opto cells, and the same style ransfomers, with exactly ZERO compromises. pop, u would be better served to speak to what u know bro
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Post by drbill on Feb 4, 2014 19:56:59 GMT -6
Plus it has the typical mods that most people do to their 3A's. Switchable in or out, so you can be perfectly original 3A, or typically modded 3A.
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Feb 4, 2014 20:25:26 GMT -6
The first piece of gear I ever bought was a 3a because I thought it sounded better on vocals than an 1176, La2a or Fairchild which was all the studios I worked in had. I bought a second three years later and found it different but not worse. I have been very disappointed with the UA remakes.
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Post by channelcat on Feb 4, 2014 20:37:48 GMT -6
In my experience with the PBC-6A, I found it similar to the 165A; I think it has to do with the variable knee. At the same time that I owned them, I also had an MC77 and my partner had an LA-4, and the PBC-6A sounded nothing like either of those. Now that I'm getting ready to gear up again, I'm planning on getting a pair of PBC-6As, a pair of Chimeras, and a pair of WA76s.
Stu
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Post by littlesicily on Feb 4, 2014 20:55:34 GMT -6
I'd like to hear the Chimera, but I do agree with Pop that the UA revision is not the same...kinda spongy IMO...release is wrong or somethin'.
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Post by Johnkenn on Feb 4, 2014 21:09:00 GMT -6
The first piece of gear I ever bought was a 3a because I thought it sounded better on vocals than an 1176, La2a or Fairchild which was all the studios I worked in had. I bought a second three years later and found it different but not worse. I have been very disappointed with the UA remakes. Where do they get it wrong? I mean, what corners are they cutting? |
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Post by Guitar on Feb 4, 2014 21:11:32 GMT -6
All I know is I used the Waves CLA-3A on bass the other day, and it was SUCH A COOL TONE I got very curious about the hardware.
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 4, 2014 22:28:59 GMT -6
From what I understand, the modern made opto cells are faster than the old school ones, that may be the diff in behavior, but a grain of salt, I'm no expert on the 3a..
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Post by popmann on Feb 4, 2014 22:41:47 GMT -6
All I know is I used the Waves CLA-3A on bass the other day, and it was SUCH A COOL TONE I got very curious about the hardware. If you turn the analog IO model off, that's a useful plug in, IME. it's actually better at making electric guitar pick attacks pop than my real one...NOT as good on bass or vocal as mine....you'd think the guy who tested them just uses them on electric guitar busses or something!  Their 2a, again with the analog IO off, has closer action to my 3a...but, then you don't get the "tone" of the IO. And Tony? I've worked with vintage 2as, 3as (and I don't mean just the one I currently own)...reissue 3a....LA610...all use the T4...and every one sounds different tonally and the action of the new T4s is more aggressive (which is really not better or worse-just different). The only one I haven't worked with is the reissue 2a. You know--while we're talking about what we know--why don't you tell us about YOUR experience with t4 loaded compressors? I wasn't commenting on the new units' merit as a compressor--which I wouldn't. I'm commenting on the FACT that the components will not fit in a 500 series card. And that even UA's size not restricted reissues do not sound the same... Nothing more. Did you care to take issue with those FACTS? Or were you maybe reading more into my post than that? |
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 4, 2014 22:57:00 GMT -6
I'm not the self anointed expert here, i explained my experience with the 3a in detail in previous posts, and the FACT is ur still WRONG?? the schemo and components in the chimera 500 are EXACTLY the same as the 3a, with the addition of in/out switchable mods that are very desireable to most la3a users.
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Post by Guitar on Feb 4, 2014 23:14:28 GMT -6
If you turn the analog IO model off, that's a useful plug in, IME. it's actually better at making electric guitar pick attacks pop than my real one...NOT as good on bass or vocal as mine....you'd think the guy who tested them just uses them on electric guitar busses or something! Their 2a, again with the analog IO off, has closer action to my 3a...but, then you don't get the "tone" of the IO. And Tony? I've worked with vintage 2as, 3as (and I don't mean just the one I currently own)...reissue 3a....LA610...all use the T4...and every one sounds different tonally and the action of the new T4s is more aggressive (which is really not better or worse-just different). The only one I haven't worked with is the reissue 2a. You know--while we're talking about what we know--why don't you tell us about YOUR experience with t4 loaded compressors? I wasn't commenting on the new units' merit as a compressor--which I wouldn't. I'm commenting on the FACT that the components will not fit in a 500 series card. And that even UA's size not restricted reissues do not sound the same... Nothing more. Did you care to take issue with those FACTS? Or were you maybe reading more into my post than that? popmann I think the "Analog" switch on the Waves plugins is simply to turn the hiss noise on and off. You might want to check the manual to verify this. I absolutely HATE that "feature" just don't even give me the noise, darn it. You think at least they could have defaulted it to be "off" instead of "VERY ON" I mean who uses digital for loud hiss? it is not even quiet. not at all. the H Delay is different though, it has multiple "analog" settings 1 through 4 or 5 or something, that does change the tone and response, kind of like Decapitator's letter codes. |
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Their 2a, again with the analog IO off, has closer action to my 3a...but, then you don't get the "tone" of the IO.