When to use LA2A vs 1176?

If I could only have one, I’d pick a good 1176. 76 has those super fast attack and release times so on a drum track you can really get the room “up” in the mix, whereas the LA2A has only input gain and gain reduction controls plus a ratio switch (2:1/20:1). OTOH, the LA2A is great for stuff that is slower.

What is LA2A best for?

The UREI-built Silver LA-2A is generally appreciated for its faster time constant and its treatment of transients. This makes it a versatile performer that’s suitable for the widest variety of applications — including drums, percussion, and bass guitar.

What type of compressor is 1176?

feedback” compressor
The 1176 is a “feedback” compressor. The signal goes through the input stage, via the line input transformer, which has a big impact on the sound. From there, the signal is routed to the top of a FET, which is being used as a variable voltage resistor.

Is an 1176 soft knee?

As its predecessor, the 1176 utilizes soft knee compression and fixed threshold: compression amount is controlled through the input control. The compression character is handled by attack and release times and four selectable compression ratios.

What type of compressor is la2a?

tube-based compressor
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.

Does the 1176 have a hard knee?

The LA-2A is frequency dependent soft knee, and the 1176LN is hard knee at 20:1 ratio and “semi-soft” at other ratios.

Is the 1176 a tube compressor?

The 1176 Peak Limiter is a dynamic range compressor designed by Bill Putnam and introduced by UREI in 1967. Derived from the 175 and 176 tube compressors, it marked the transition from vacuum tubes to solid-state technology.