Vintage LA2A vs. ADL 1000 Tube Compressor Shootout (Universal Audio UREI Teletronix LA-2A)

http://www.soundpure.com/p/adl-1000-c-l-tube-compressor/361
Sound Pure conducts a comprehensive shootout between the original real vintage Universal Audio Teletronix LA2A (Urei LA2a) and the Anthony Demaria Labs ADL1000 and ADL1500 faithful recreations of the vintage unit. The shootout begins with an explanation of the setup, the desire to own brand-new gear for its reliability, and the faithful recreation of the vintage LA2A that is the ADL1000 and ADL1500, that emulates the design, build, and sound. The ADL 1500 (the stereo version of the ADL1000) is the unit that was conducted in the shootout, because Sound Pure studios actually owns one of these units in their Control Room A. The shootout begins with a simple male vocal passage, continues with saxophone, then female vocals (with a little bit of acoustic guitar bleed), and concludes with a analysis by some of the Sound Pure engineers. They admit that matching the compression amounts was a real challenge (and wasn't perfect), but that the tonal qualities and output of the two units were spot-on within eachother. The difference between the two compressors in the shootout was simply no different than one vintageLa2a would likely be to another vintage La2a given the inconsistencies associated with the age (And any recapping or repairs). Ultimately, if you are looking for the sound of the LA2A, but require the reliability of a modern piece of audio equipment, you should look no further. You can reach us toll free at 888-528-9703 to discuss our findings, opinions, or to retrieve the high resolution audio files from the outputs of the two compressors that were used in the shootout. Feel free to contact Sound Pure at any time with any questions you have about the ADL products, compression, or anything else, we are all here to help you make your recordings the best that they can be, and get you the best possible gear for your budget.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Audio
• Compressor
• Shootout
• Universal
• Teletronix
• LA2a
• Anthony
• Demaria
• Labs
• ADL1000
• ADL1500
• LA2A
• LA-2A
• UREI
• 1176
• Tube
• compressor
• UA
• Fairchild
• 670
• ADL
• 1000
• 1500
• Limiting
• Amplifier
• Levelor
• Opto

[TheThethinker101]

Both compressors sounded fine, but different. I suspect that the clone is designed to mimic a pristine restored La2a, but since you were comparing it to a used and abused La2a, there would be differences. I would be interested to hear a comparison with a restored la2a, and see what differences there would be. Thanks for posting, a very interesting video.

[soundpurestudios]

@TheThethinker101 Thanks for your comment- you are absolutely spot-on. We absolutely should try and find a well-restored La2a to do the exact same testing.  Unfortunately, most people aren't willing to let their hands off of a well-restored one!! We will be on the lookout though, great idea.

[makerKID5]

with that been said the ADL1500 was "SLIGHTLY" brighter the vocals had a bit more presences the ADL1500 probably grabs faster although it had the same settings.

[soundpurestudios]

@makerKID5 Sure... actually, there was slightly more haze/mud on the old one, since it hadn't been refurb'd, so you are hearing more openness and reveal from the original track (an attribute of a technically superior performing compressor- less artifacts of compression) through the ADL. Bottom line is that this is mostly due to the age of the La2a and could be corrected so that they would be very in line with eachother with refurbishment and calibration. Tonally, we felt they were quite close

[YouKazeTV]

The La-2a sounds much better, dont need studio monitor to hear that. The 1500 sounds big(transfo, tubes) but it doesnt sound right and it doesnt have that nice La2a texture. I dont like the attack and release, and the sound is very hazy. And i think you are compressing more with the 1500 dont look at the meter, use your young ears,the VU is probably not calibrated on the La-2a. Even with aged caps, most old La-2a sound very good.

[soundpurestudios]

@YouKazeTV Got to be honest, even in this comparison your comment seems to be internally in conflict. The "hazy" one is actually the La2a if one can make such a statement comparing these two. If the La2a was refurb'd you'd have heard negligible difference. That being said, yes, most of the difference had more to do with "calibration" as you've suggested, and compression engagement/release points than the actual tonal differences between the units. Tonally, they do achieve similar things.

[makerKID5]

If it works it works I appreciate you guys taking the time out to do these comparisons! but I have to agree with your philosophy these units not only the ones in this particular test but in other videos as well sound remarkably similar yet people insist on commenting that there is a HUGE recognizable difference my ears must not work correctly, the Vintage vs. New, Anolag vs. Digital debate is old if it works it works these same people probably argue about ITB & OTH summing to seriously people?

[soundpurestudios]

@403PoserExposer ADL1000, ADL1500, also amazing!!