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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2018 10:14:21 GMT -6
Thought I'd start a new thread instead of taking over the STAM discussion.
I'm after another LA-2A but I'd rather not pay the price of a re-issue (that's if you could buy them anyway, most UA stuff isn't ROHS compliant). I've come across a few LA-2A's in my time and only the broken one's sound different (really).. To me the LA-2A does two things, fatten up the bottom / rounds off the top.. The STAM SA-2A does exactly that, but I'm on holiday for three weeks and I can't really wait that long.
There's an SA-2A on GS, it's nearly the cost of a new unit.. It has probably 4 months warranty (or none not sure here) left on it also things aren't moving fast. Plus after my 6176 just packed in, I'm not keen on second hand..!
So, what are my other options? So far I've come across or tried the GAP-2A / Warm 2A and both are too bright / clean to be an LA-2A (good comps though), the IGS 500 and Audioscape from youtube vids (yes not ideal but I can't just nip over to the US to try them) seem more along the lines of the Warm rather than a UA LA-2A or STAM SA-2A.
I am very fussy when it comes to my 2A's..
What else we got?
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Post by Blackdawg on Aug 1, 2018 10:43:03 GMT -6
JLM LA500 might be good, though its more of a LA3A style opto..But very very good.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2018 10:54:37 GMT -6
JLM LA500 might be good, though its more of a LA3A style opto..But very very good. Any examples about? There's a few others I'm trying to dig into and get some good examples, Acme Opticom XLA-500, Summit TLA-100 or I've had fine results with Vari-Mu's so maybe a Retro double-wide? |
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Post by notneeson on Aug 1, 2018 11:17:44 GMT -6
The Sta Level is awesome but I'm not sure it's an LA2A replacement. Likewise, I've used an early BG2 (before the Highland Dynamics name was a thing) comp that's great, but more tubey than opto-ish, if that makes any sense. It certainly wouldn't hurt to own a Manley Vari-Mu either.
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Post by Blackdawg on Aug 1, 2018 11:36:10 GMT -6
JLM LA500 might be good, though its more of a LA3A style opto..But very very good. Any examples about? There's a few others I'm trying to dig into and get some good examples, Acme Opticom XLA-500, Summit TLA-100 or I've had fine results with Vari-Mu's so maybe a Retro double-wide? Heres some demos from their site: https%3A//soundcloud.com/jlmaudio/sets/la500-and-fc500-samplesThey also sell it as a dual 19'' rack setup called the MAC: www.jlmaudio.com/shop/mac-stereo-opto-compressor.html?display_tax_prices=1Pricey though. I also just built some DIYRE OLA5s but haven't had a lot of time to dig into them. They are a take on the LA4A so pretty far from the 2A but still an opto. If you're looking at Vari-Mu's check out the TubeCore. Im looking to getting that this winter. Pretty sweet box. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2018 11:42:07 GMT -6
The Sta Level is awesome but I'm not sure it's an LA2A replacement. Likewise, I've used an early BG2 (before the Highland Dynamics name was a thing) comp that's great, but more tubey than opto-ish, if that makes any sense. It certainly wouldn't hurt to own a Manley Vari-Mu either.
I'll probably get both TBH, LA-2A into a retro-sta mmmmmm..! Does the BG2 do the LA-2A thing though? Fat / HF round off etc.
Edit: I just found a B-Stock CL1B as well??! Worth it?
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Post by notneeson on Aug 1, 2018 12:40:47 GMT -6
CL1Bs are great on vox, been like a decade though.
The BG1 is cool because it does feed forward and feedback, but I’m at a loss for what to compare it to.
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Post by jtc111 on Aug 1, 2018 13:32:06 GMT -6
Some months back I bought an Audio-Scape Opto. After it arrived, I invited Vincent R. and another friend (who has much more audio experience than either Vin or myself) over so that I wouldn't be relying on just my ears to determine how good or bad the Opto performed. We all loved it. I wound up ordering a second unit so I'd have two channels. |
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kcatthedog
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 1, 2018 14:13:22 GMT -6
Don’t want to sound opinionated but I doubt highly the Audioscape sounds like the Warm.
If you have a chance to try one, I would, before discounting it .
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Post by channelcat on Aug 1, 2018 17:46:05 GMT -6
Skibbe Red Stripe - Albini likes them
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Post by mike on Aug 1, 2018 19:22:38 GMT -6
I'd second (or third) that thought on the audio-scape opto. and I don't think it sounds like the Warm either. I believe you have 30 days to try it or return it, but my guess is if you order one, you won't be returning it.
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Post by the other mark williams on Aug 1, 2018 20:57:35 GMT -6
I'd second (or third) that thought on the audio-scape opto. and I don't think it sounds like the Warm either. I believe you have 30 days to try it or return it, but my guess is if you order one, you won't be returning it. And Chris (at Audioscape) is great to work with. Smooth and easy transactions. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 7:03:13 GMT -6
Don’t want to sound opinionated but I doubt highly the Audioscape sounds like the Warm. If you have a chance to try one, I would, before discounting it .
NP, all music related stuff is opinions so lay it down KCD.! I was going by this video, which didn't sell it to me. But it's one of those things I've heard vid's of stuff I really like then it ended up on e-bay the next day:
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Post by kcatthedog on Aug 2, 2018 7:06:20 GMT -6
I have the stam sl comp and the Audio scape and to me they sound different, the audioscape having a little extra mojo. I have 2 warm 2a's which I like and find clean. I think I would like the Audio scape 2a but would expect it to have more mojo ?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 7:27:14 GMT -6
I have the stam sl comp and the Audio scape and to me they sound different, the audioscape having a little extra mojo. I have 2 warm 2a's which I like and find clean. I think I would like the Audio scape 2a but would expect it to have more mojo ?
Exactly and in the vid above it's not quite doing the rounding / fattening thing.. If you listen to the vid below on vox, under heavier compression the STAM is almost shaving off most of the HF info and smoothing it out.. That's what my LA-2A does, it's what the UA plugins do (but not as well IMO) and of course the STAM.
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Post by the other mark williams on Aug 2, 2018 7:30:48 GMT -6
Don't forget: the Audioscape has the pre-emphasis knob on the front. That can radically change how it affects the top end on a source.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Aug 2, 2018 9:00:07 GMT -6
I have the stam sl comp and the Audio scape and to me they sound different, the audioscape having a little extra mojo. I have 2 warm 2a's which I like and find clean. I think I would like the Audio scape 2a but would expect it to have more mojo ?
Exactly and in the vid above it's not quite doing the rounding / fattening thing.. If you listen to the vid below on vox, under heavier compression the STAM is almost shaving off most of the HF info and smoothing it out.. That's what my LA-2A does, it's what the UA plugins do (but not as well IMO) and of course the STAM.
Stam sounds good here and the video sounds the way mine sounds. I give the Stam two thumbs up. |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Aug 2, 2018 9:01:57 GMT -6
Don’t want to sound opinionated but I doubt highly the Audioscape sounds like the Warm. If you have a chance to try one, I would, before discounting it .
NP, all music related stuff is opinions so lay it down KCD.! I was going by this video, which didn't sell it to me. But it's one of those things I've heard vid's of stuff I really like then it ended up on e-bay the next day:
This video wouldn't sell me either. I think the issue here is the material that they're using for the demo doesn't sound great. The second singer sounds kind of like Darwin Deez though. hahaha |
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Post by notneeson on Aug 2, 2018 10:33:30 GMT -6
Regarding video demos— I don't ever like the music. At all. Not once that I can think of.
I don't think you can solve for that because, by its nature, this craft attracts an opinionated bunch. It's actually a problem in selecting music for my own reel— I really think some prospective clients have a hard time differentiating how they feel about the artist from how they feel about the sound. I think we all struggle from this at times but, as an engineer, you learn to overcome it somewhat as part of the gig.
At the same time, if you hire me to work on your music I will find something to like about it and use that as a vehicle to make it the best it can be.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 12:21:52 GMT -6
Regarding video demos— I don't ever like the music. At all. Not once that I can think of. I don't think you can solve for that because, by its nature, this craft attracts an opinionated bunch. It's actually a problem in selecting music for my own reel— I really think some prospective clients have a hard time differentiating how they feel about the artist from how they feel about the sound. I think we all struggle from this at times but, as an engineer, you learn to overcome it somewhat as part of the gig. At the same time, if you hire me to work on your music I will find something to like about it and use that as a vehicle to make it the best it can be. I couldn't care about the performance, I'm looking for markers.. Whether it's a VCA / FET / MIC / AMP etc. they all have their markers, like distortion patterns for microphones that under certain frequencies will break up nastily.
I have noticed a lot of people don't care (even "engineers"), they buy comp's for e.g. just because they sound good without any relative merit to the technicalites or why these comp's exist in the first place. Also I could always tell the differences on YT or Soundcloud if it's recorded well enough, my partner can always tell and she doesn't give two craps, has zero experience engineering so it can't be that hard right? On the flip side my closest friend is an engineer / half deaf and he does struggle somewhat.
The issue always comes down to how well it's recorded, the pro-replica's demo's have so much room noise that I couldn't really tell if it was helping or not. The Audioscape demo isn't the best recording I've heard, but I could get the general gist of it.
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Post by notneeson on Aug 2, 2018 13:09:37 GMT -6
What I think, is that people fool themselves. A lot. I am not pointing any fingers at you, your partner, or your engineer friend w/ hearing loss.  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 14:57:36 GMT -6
What I think, is that people fool themselves. A lot. I am not pointing any fingers at you, your partner, or your engineer friend w/ hearing loss.
Won't deny that, I've done it more times than not especially when my ears adapt to something.. Come back to a mix a week later and thought WTF??! 
P.S:
Just to let everyone know, I managed to get a second hand SA-2A.. I'm also going to order the Audioscape, if it's good enough I'll get rid of my LA-2A and profit..!
As always, thanks for everyone's help.!
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Post by wiz on Aug 2, 2018 16:37:36 GMT -6
This is me and my SA2A
cheers
Wiz
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2018 16:54:49 GMT -6
This is me and my SA2A cheers Wiz
Sounds bloody excellent, really looking forward to my SA-2A now.! Thanks for that wiz.!
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Post by marcneibauer on Aug 6, 2018 10:44:17 GMT -6
I only have experience with the Golden Age Comp2a but I love it!
The only thing I don’t like about it is paying extra for a rack mount.
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