I'm building an LA-2A , following Dave Jahnsen's "How to Build a Tube Compressor/Limiter" guide.

I'm very early into the process but I'd love to hear from others who have done this... OR EVEN ANYONE WHO'S BUILT THEIR OWN GEAR.

The LA-2A specific question I have is thus:

Hi all,
I bought Dave Jahnsen''s book on making a LA2a and am ordering parts. I also saw Kent stevenson's webpage on making one.

I'm trying to find a source for the varible capator (C4; 50-380pf). Has anyone built one recently and where do you get the variable capacitor from ?

Thanks,
Chuck Hanning
SoundBase Audio

Hi,
I am building an LA2a from the book "HOW TO BUILD A TUBE COMPRESSOR". I have one question through. On the C 7a-d, it appears as though he has replaced the can with four 47uF @450V electrolytic caps on the drawing. However, these caps are run to the C7a-d Can. But if you are replacing the C7a-d can with the four caps you wouldn't have the can.
HELP

Alrighty.

Good news for anyone doing the LA-2A. I've finally worked out a part number with Beede on the LA-2A meter. They will sell the exact same meter minus the Teletronix logo on the meter scale, correct sensitivity, tolerance and scale deflection. Easy to copy the scale considering keith has provided a scan of one on Kruz's site.

i have a uad 1 card which has the LA-2A and 1176 as plugins on it. i've been mucking around using them as limiters trying emulate the real deal.

i get hotter, clean signals for sure. but i'm curious to see if any one would choose one of these if they had the real unit. or if they are not really for mastering.

So in an attempt for trying to find the right "color" of compression for a certain type of vocal "sound", I thought I might ask: Would anyone care and try to attempt explaining the basic character differences between the LA-2A, LA-3A, and 1176LN and what type of instruments vocalists music you'd usually think to try each one on first during a mix?

Thank You for your time in advance.

Ok, I am adding another comp to my room and I wanted your opinions. I will be adding the device mainly for character, smoothness and yes I want the "tube sound" for tracking and mixing mostly midi? My options are LA-2A a VT747 a FATSO or maybe even a Peavey VCL2? My budget is just about 2k. I know they are all tube and the LA-2A is just a single channel and a bit more than 2k.

I recently aquired and older LA-2A . Here is my problem after connecting to my patchbay (1/4"TRS)I get a pretty good jolt when handling the conections in the back of the patchbay. This occurs when one hand touches connections for both the LA-2A and any other plug on the back of the patchbay.

Which compressor would you prefer for tracking VOCALS to a DAW? If none of the above, what would be your first choice?

OneMan

Hi I currently use a RNC compressor for overall mixes. Would an LA-2a either alone or after the RNC be a good second compressor to purchase for overall mixes?