Cla-2a Compressor Vst Free [TOP] Download
Vaun Stokes
I always know when a plug-in is a good fit for me when I return to it again and again, even when there is a long list of candidates available. Waves CLA-2A is one such tool. It emulates one of the most famous compressor/limiters of all time, the Teletronix LA-2A, while adding Chris Lord-Alge's personal presets.
As with the original hardware unit, you can get the plug-in's (virtual) tubes to sizzle a bit when you increase the gain. (Use this effect to taste.) I liked 2-3 dB of reduction in the compression setting on a vocal, locking the vocal right into place. In some cases, I combined the plug-in with a hardware compressor and was able to push and pull the vocal around while still maintaining the signature sound of the LA-2A. In addition to vocals, I used the plug-in on bass and liked the grit it brought when driving it a bit. Again, this compressor just sticks the bass right where you want it and keeps it there. On other sources, I ran through the presets and adjusted accordingly. It was not my cup of tea for everything, but it was certainly usable across the board.
It features a decent level amplifier's analog tone. I have never used the real thing, but this LA-2A compressor plugin will get most of your elements/final-mix sitting tightly with a warm punchy edge cutting through the blend.
The LA-2A is a hand-wired, tube-based compressor. It uses an electroluminescent panel together with a cadmium-sulfide light-dependent resistor (which in the LA-2A's own terminology is called the T4 cell) to provide gain reduction. The properties of the T4 give the LA-2A its unique character by making it an entirely program-dependent design.
My understanding is that the side-chain should basically apply a high-pass filter, not to the output of the compressor itself, but to the incoming signal that will trigger the compressor. I understand that to mean that the compressor will then not be triggered so easily by the low-end stuff, which can throw things off cuz of all the energy down there. It would be triggered by the higher frequencies, cuz they are elevated and hit the compressor first.
Waves collaborated with the renowned mix engineer Chris Lord-Alge (CLA) to emulate three classic compressors, which are modeled after some of his favorites from the past.
In this blog post, we will compare three popular compressor plugins developed by Waves Audio: CLA-2A, CLA-3A, and CLA-76.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in the world of audio production, you won't want to miss this informative and highly engaging breakdown of the CLA compressor lineup.
The CLA-2A is a plugin emulation of the Teletronix LA-2A, a classic analog compressor that has been used on countless recordings since the 1960s.
Famous for its smooth, warm, and musical compression, and the CLA-2A replicates those characteristics beautifully.
It only has two knobs: Gain and Peak Reduction.
The Gain knob adjusts the output level, while the Peak Reduction controls the amount of compression.
Peak reduction is essentially a threshold control, but it also affects the release time of the compressor. The lower you set the peak reduction, the longer the release time, which can add sustain and warmth to a sound.
The CLA-2A is ideal for vocals, acoustic guitars, bass, and any instrument that needs gentle, musical compression.
It can also add a lovely sheen to your sounds.
But it's not the best choice for aggressive or fast transients.
The CLA-3A emulates the Universal Audio LA-3A, another classic analog compressor.
It is similar to the CLA-2A but has a faster attack time and a more transparent sound. The CLA-3A has the same two knobs as the CLA-2A: Gain and Peak Reduction.
However, the peak reduction controls the ratio of compression rather than the threshold.
The higher you set the peak reduction parameter, the higher the compression ratio, which can make the sound more aggressive.
This makes it an excellent choice for drums, electric guitars, and any instrument that needs a fast and transparent compressor.
It's not as warm and musical as the CLA-2A, but it can add punch and clarity.
The LA-2A compressor is generally considered a slow compressor due to its relatively slow attack time and release time.
It uses an optical gain reduction element to apply compression, which has a relatively slow response time compared to other types of compression.
This slower response time contributes to its warmth and smoothness, making it a popular choice for vocals, bass, and other instruments where gentle, musical compression is desired.
The LA-2A is a popular compressor for vocal processing because it has a warm, smooth sound that can help even out the performance and add a sense of depth and dimension to the vocals.
Here are some of the reasons why the LA-2A is particularly well-suited for vocal processing:
- Optical gain reduction: This gives it a relatively slow response time compared to other types of compression. A slower response time can give the vocals an organic feel.Gentle compression: The LA-2A can help control dynamics without sounding overly processed or squashed. This makes it well-suited for vocal processing, where a natural, dynamic sound is often desired.Smooth sound: A warm and smooth sound often adds depth and dimension to the vocals, making them sound more polished and professional. This can be particularly effective on lead vocals or other prominent vocal tracks.Easy to use: With just a few controls for adjusting the input gain, output gain, and compression level, this makes it a popular choice for producers and engineers who want a straightforward compressor that can deliver excellent results with minimal tweaking.
Which one is better largely depends on personal preference and the specific application.
Here are some differences between the CLA-3A and the CLA-2A:
After picking the right mic, we move on to selecting the preamp and compressors we need. Now, this tends to fluctuate slightly depending on the type of vocal quality your talent has or the medium for which you are recording. But for the purposes of this blog, say for animation and voice over, here are a few key pieces of gear that will definitely give you hi fidelity recordings.
df19127ead