UA1176 or LA2a?

Theron D · Post by **Theron D** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:22 pm

I've been using this setup (Blueberry -> Avalon M5 -> Art Pro VLA) with great results but want to get another compressor just because I've read so much about them and want to try something different...

I record mostly rappers and acoustic folk artists.....thoughts, suggestions, hatemail on getting a UA1176 or LA2A? Or should I be happy, keep what I got and shut the f# up?

Thanks,
Theron D

ryanlikestorock · Post by **ryanlikestorock** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:48 pm

If you can afford to rent both for a week, you'll have first-hand knowledge about the different characters both bring to the table. They're quite different acting compressors.

I think of the LA2a as being better for slower dynamics like vocals, acoustic guitar, some basses... The 1176 is great on drums, punchier guitars and basses, etc.

Listen for yourself or get the UAD plugins to get an idea from the emulations. It'll help a lot.

cgarges · Post by **cgarges** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:17 am

Both are cool and both do a completely different set of jobs. Not that the VLA sounds ANYTHING like an LA2A, but any sort of 1176-type thing will be a further jump from what you already have.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 7:57 am

Chris is totally right. They ae completely different beasts altogether.

The 1176 re issue has left me cold though, which is the one I bought first.
The LA2A is not as versatile as an 1176 (making huge generalizations here).

I personally think you would find yourself using the 1176 for more sources, but the LA2A would wind up on the main vocal if you had both....

(again, crazy generalizations).

citystate · Post by **citystate** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:04 am

joel, which version of the 1176 is your favorite?

have you used the purple audio mc77?

Ben Logan · Post by **Ben Logan** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:31 am

ryanlikestorock wrote:
Listen for yourself or get the UAD plugins to get an idea from the emulations. It'll help a lot.

You can check out some audio demos of the digital versions of both the LA2A and the 1176LN at UA's website. These are fun:

http://www.uaudio.com/products/software ... /demo.html

I know you want the hardware, but these clips will give you at least a rough idea of the two different "sonic signatures" each unit imparts.

Theron D · Post by **Theron D** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 1:43 pm

I checked them out, great examples! Thanks Theron D

Ben Logan wrote:
ryanlikestorock wrote:
Listen for yourself or get the UAD plugins to get an idea from the emulations. It'll help a lot.
You can check out some audio demos of the digital versions of both the LA2A and the 1176LN at UA's website. These are fun:

http://www.uaudio.com/products/software ... /demo.html

I know you want the hardware, but these clips will give you at least a rough idea of the two different "sonic signatures" each unit imparts.

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 6:59 am

citystate wrote:joel, which version of the 1176 is your favorite?

have you used the purple audio mc77?

The purple audio stuff is so well made, and really great. I think my favorite 1176 version would be the blue stripe, and early black face. The reissue I have sounded a bit "spongey" to me, until a pal from Purple made mine good.....

audiogeek1 · Post by **audiogeek1** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:36 am

I would choose the 1176 over the LA2. It is definitely more flexible than the la2. After I got the 1176 then I would look at the LA2 or LA3.

Mike

Eric Rottmayer · Post by **Eric Rottmayer** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:22 am

audiogeek1 wrote:I would choose the 1176 over the LA2. It is definitely more flexible than the la2. After I got the 1176 then I would look at the LA2 or LA3.

Mike

speaking of the LA2...can anyone post the main differences between
the LA-2, LA-3 and LA-4? i've seen alot of LA-4's on ebay lately and
they are going for the least in the group. i've been interested in an
LA-2 for a while but still have to save up.

also...pigtails. buy 'em? make 'em?
expect them to come with this type of gear?

thanks!

e

Cojonesonasteek · Post by **Cojonesonasteek** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:02 am

IMO an 1176-style comp would be more flexible than an LA-2A or LA-3. The Purple versions (MC76, which I have, or MC 77) are very close to my blackface 1176 Rev D (the Holy Grail unless you can tolerate the noise of a blue stripe 1176 Rev A or B), maybe a tad bit cleaner but still offering some useful character. You can pick up one used for around a grand, versus $2K and up for a nice vintage blackface 1176. It's not only great on voice, snare and guitars but also on bass.

fremitus · Post by **fremitus** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:35 am

purple makes good stuff. truly banging version of a great design. i personally prefer them to the UA reissue (still a very good comp) also.

i have a couple of silver 1176's and a couple of ADL 1000's (LA2A style) that i use frequently. and indeed they are WAYYYY diff.

similarly to the others i would say the 1176 is far more versatile considering the obvious addition of knobs and buttons, but the sound of the ADL's is so killer to me on a variety of sources. i like to put stuff through it that i might otherwise go to clean, quick comp for, just to push my ears in a different direction. it has also become my favorite 'beat the shit of the drum room mic' comp as of recent.

MikeCzech · Post by **MikeCzech** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 5:55 pm

You can get 2 channels of 1176 (2-1176) for less than the price of an LA2a. I love my 2-1176, but I can't compare it to an actual LA2A.

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UA1176 or LA2a?

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