FET vs Optical Compression - Vocal (Warm Audio WA 2A vs Warm Audio WA76)

[@TheCatoLee]

Heres the quick way to compare..WA 2A : 3:33 WA76: 2:46 A time saver for you friends!

[@RitualAbuseTX]

OH MISTER ENJEHNEER MR ENJEER DONT U BKOW UR WHISTLE WHISTLE WHEN UR COMIN THROUGH MY TOWN

[@44numskull]

Dr Steve Brule on vocals.

[@creativesoundlab]

Ha!

[@peterbull3955]

hahahaha!!!! Can't not picture it now...

[@snippletrap]

For an aggressive vocal like this, the FET is a no-brainer. For a gentler ballad type song the LA2A might fit a little better.

[@bestevaer1977]

Thank you so much for making this effort! I mostly record heavy music, so i allready was a fan of the 1176 sound for a lot of things. Off course i allways knew the LA-2A (clones) were out there, as are the plugin versions of both compressors. The only 1176/LA2A comparisons i've made myself were between plugins (UAD and Waves) I've bought the UAD 1176 and use it a lot, but never really found out what that LA2A was about. Then i found a comparison video between a hardware LA2A and various plugins and things started to dawn on me. This video however made perfectly clear what that LA2A sound really is, and what i'd use it for myself. It made the voice firm and wrapped it in velvet at the same time, where as the 1176 did what i allready knew it would: It made the voice even firmer and wrapped it in barbed wire, haha! Maybe the emulations of 1176's are more accurate then the LA2A emulations, maybe i just did't know what to look for or had suitable music for it, who knows. All i know is that your video learned me some very useful things. Again, thank you so much!

[@creativesoundlab]

Great comment and insight. I really appreciate this feedback and knowing that it helped you out so much!

in your face vs butter

[@creativesoundlab]

Ha yes, a good way of putting it.

[@delhoyo00]

Best description! =)

[@BLMeredith87]

I honestly thought the singer was in-the-zone while asking the recording engineer something during recording... "Oh Mr. Engineer, oh Mr. Engineer! Please turn my headphones up and let's try that agaaaain!" hahaha

[@lukesuperflyjones]

what a very interesting sounding singer. Both good although I like that LA2A calmness.

[@Hatren_Music]

WA76 is definitely my style. Really contains it in an aggressive way that would be perfect for modern vocals. Seems to clamp down faster and tighter than the optical. The 2a is a little too "floaty" for me.

[@creativesoundlab]

Hmm, yeah. Maybe the floaty sound is because the variable release. The wa76 can def stick like glue to that vocal though.

[@strikebackstudios7592]

I actually liked the optical better.. seemed smoother and more warm. Not as "harsh" in the top end. But honestly b ok th these are amazing comps.. I would use them both in different ways. Both seemed very transparent although the first seemed to have a distinct character to its overall sound. The optical was a bit more subtle with it characteristics. I'm watching this again!!lol. Great work man!! Now could you do a review on the wa47 and wa-47 jr???

[@solarpoint1]

I thought the 1176 imparted an aggressiveness and edgy feel that was awesome on that source while the WA2A was more open and smooth sounding. Did something to the top end that was cool as well, at least to my ears. Both sounded great in different ways.

[@NateMchaggis]

This is my next purchase choosing between these 2 compressors....i cant decide their both good!

[@asdaydiesyoungjustin]

Both of them sounded great and did their job great. The W2a was noticeably smoother on the vocals to me. So each would suit different styles of music differently. This definitely shows why (if you have the money) it's great to have both to have the different options. I know both of these have been on my wish list.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah agreed.

[@joshrainesmusic]

EQ into compressor or other way around? Couldn't tell by your patch bay. I've got the EQPs and love 'em!

[@aaronbird9437]

Thank you for this comparison. I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to gear. However, the clarity of the 2a over the bite of the 76 was evident, even to me. I like them both, for different reasons.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, never done this experiment until now, and I found it pretty cool too.

[@Wh1teland]

if you could do a comparison with these units vs UAD equivalent plugins. I'd like to hear if and how much better they are

[@creativesoundlab]

Yes, I need to do that.

[@ForsytheVideo]

Nice dynamic choice of vocal track to use. I was impressed by each compressors ability to tame the track without sucking the life out of it, the optical sounded slightly less harsh to me.

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks! Great insight.

[@chumbawumba797]

You should do a serial compression vid w la2a into 1176 vs 1176 into la2a.

[@deanzo1234]

Any chance you could make a compression for the wa76 on your favorite compression settings with attack release times for different types of guitar playing, lead solos, rythym, blues, rock etc. That would be super cool.

[@deadviny]

one of them made the vocals get a more pleasing sound, though I don't know how it would sit in a mix

[@v3zMedia]

If you could only have 1 of these compressors which would it be? I currently own a modded Expressor 651 and want to add a new piece to my vocal chain. We do mostly Hip-Hop, Pop and R&B music here.

[@creativesoundlab]

If I only chose one, it would be the 1176 or something like it. These Warm Audio compressors are dark though, so might be too dark for hip-hop vocals, but could be just the thing if you want that warmth.

[@v3zMedia]

Creative Sound Lab Yes that warmth is exactly what I'm looking for. Like the way MixedByAli makes Kendrick Lamar vocals sound. The Expressor 651 is 1 of the fastest compressors ever made, but it's very transparent. I'm going for this vocal chain. WA73 < 651 < WA76orWA2A < EQP-WA.

[@Prodby_duke]

v3z I'm curious to how that wa73 will sound with the wa76 or the 2a. Let us know how it goes

[@yoyoyo243]

amazing. i can imagine the 2 different songs each of these compressors put the vocal in

[@evanmcdonnal]

For these vocals I think the FET sounds a lot better, not in the early part of the verse, but in the later phrases where he's singing 'Mr. Engineer, Mr. Engineer', I dislike how the the WA2A sounds. Not certain why that is but I feel like it's sort of booming, making his voice sound more chesty, maybe bringing out the low mids more. With the FET those phrases sound more crisp to me. I'm thinking the WA2A would be my preference for a lot of other vocals, people who are singing with a softer timbre, breathier tones. In the earlier phrases I feel like it's just warmer and more present than the FET but the singer is also lower in his voice and a relative increase in his low mids doesn't negatively impact the clarity of the singers fundamentals. The lesser warmth of the FET is preferable as he moves to a higher part of his voice, it compliments timbre more rather than coloring it differently imo.

[@AngryMuffinMusic]

Problem is that the 1176 clone was benefitting big time from the tubes in the La2A clone, since they were both always in the signal path. And you can hear that. If not, I think the Wa2A would have sounded much better on this tune. This way it was a tie, just different.

[@TracerPhill]

I own the WA76's and I love them. Ive had my eye on the 2A since it came out. I'll be picking one up in the near future for sure. Super smooth sounding. Thanks for posting this.

[@underpressureman]

I really liked them both. I felt like the optical(wa2a) was squashing it abit more, but personally I felt the fet compession(wa76) kept more of the transients or mayby energy of the vocal. I guess what came to mind for me though was that the fet(wa76) on vocals anyway would be a good tracking compessor if i had to choose only one! or I would track with the fet and put on an la2a compresor in the mix if I could only start with one hardware unit! which I am thinking of buying a wa76!!! anyway, just some thoughts, mayby Im wrong about the 2nd one squashing it more but I just felt the first vocal had abit more energy, or just liked the energy it gave! but I liked the colouration of the wa2a. great video!

[@creativesoundlab]

Thanks and great insight. Good ears you have.

[@jasonshrestha]

2:46 3:04 3:11 3:33 3:51 3:57

[@sunahura]

Optical was bright and smooth

[@audiobysam]

Sweet stuff. I really dug the sound of the FET. Hard to put my finger on why, but I definitely learned about compressor characteristics a little bit. Thanks for all you do man!

[@creativesoundlab]

Wow, so learning is happening at this very moment. Great to be apart of it.

[@NelsonGast]

Biggest thing that I noticed is that the overall sound was less aggressive sounding a bit smoother? (a bit warmer perhaps as well) with the LA-2A style

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, that WA-2A is classy. It's really smooth and really has a lot of forgiving qualities.

[@JULIOHpsp]

probably a slower release

[@andrerayomusiconline]

+creativesoundlab that's what I said lol

[@peterbull3955]

I can't help but feel like they would both sould a lot nicer either with a little dry signal mixed in or just backed off a little. Kind of depends on the rest of the track this belongs to though. If the band is more acoustic I would definitely ease up but if it was a more electric rock blues band the 76 would be my choice.

[@gabrielazzopardi6037]

WA-2A is smooth but the WA76 brings energy to the track.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yes!

[@g.willikers9072]

I hope some time you do a stereo overhead polar pattern video. That wa76 is awesome.

[@creativesoundlab]

The WA76 def kicks ass. Have you seen this video about the overheads and stereo pairs? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZOwZqB8erCnrZo

[@henryhill92]

To me the main difference is that the 76 sounds harder, like there's an edge to the sound. I can also hear the compression clamping down in a way I can't nearly as much with the 2A

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, that release is real interesting on the 2A style compressor and the WA76 has an edge. It's much more reactive. I didn't have a way to emulate it with the WA76 so I had to pick my best guess.

[@cuddlebear34]

Optical is bigger sounding but needs the teeth of the FET for these specific vocals.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, so right on man.

[@TheSoundgod59]

Why not use both on a vocal? That's what I do, WA-2a into a WA-76. Sounds awesome!

[@frankjamesbonarrigo7162]

What desk is that?

[@fadejmg]

Great video! Congrats for the WA2A

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, it's real smooth.

[@marksmusicplace3627]

I love these equipment comparison test videos but they always use people that can't sing OMG my ears. The equipment sounds so good that it definitely lets the viewer know they can't hold a note on a plate

[@andrerayomusiconline]

WA2A sounds more rounded and smoother then the W76 which is more aggressive and 3D. I would have love to hear it on a more educated vocal reference and as well on a female voice.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, I'll try to get a more variety of vocalist in the studio for examples. Great insight.

[@andrerayomusiconline]

+creativesoundlab I will get both compressors:)

[@QrchackOfficial]

Would also love more sources, I like to try both 2A and 76 on my master bus sometimes, is an update on the topic with more examples and option? Bass, female vocals, maybe pianos, would be much appreciated.

[@creativesoundlab]

Ok, sure. I'm going to pipe out a lot of different examples as soon as I can.

[@Salantsoundstudios]

Both sound great, I really like the aggressive sound of 76 and the smoother natural sound of the 2a. I have the UA la610mkii which has a 2a style compressor, and a UA 4710d which has 1176 style compressors. Both are awesome on the front end, I haven't mixed through em yet though!

[@creativesoundlab]

Great insight. Yeah, they are both great. Hard time knowing which is better. Of coase the optical sound is the new sound in the studio, so I'm using that a little more.

[@elsantysabe]

I think that for that voice the 76 was more appropriate, but i cant really tell why, its just feel better to me

[@creativesoundlab]

Good insight. Some times it comes down to intuition.

[@jacobtoohey3570]

I liked the 2a. Seemed to vibe better with the tune. I'd love to see a shootout with varying instruments and genres. And the thing about ignoring knobs, always good advice. Especially when you aren't in the studio.

[@creativesoundlab]

yeah, I'll have to vary it up a bit. Yeah, I said to ignore the knobs just because some people get hung up on the smallest things when they are just starting out.

[@philipfrench8496]

the wa2a is quite warmer... thought i'd probably use the WA76 on bass and kick.... the WA2A on everything else unless the lead vocals were quite agressive.

[@audiogenx887]

Good comparison... appreciate it. Do you know what mic this guy was singing through?

[@audiogenx887]

Never mind man.... I saw your other video showing him using the Rode NTR. Great sounding vocal mic with surprising high frequencies vs other ribbons..

[@Schrottlist]

Awesome lyrics!!:) Cool comparison! Thx!

[@poweredbyWatts]

Ryan, I see you went with a complete backing of WARM audio clones (1176, La2a, Pultec). I've a lot of engineers recommend them. Was there any kind of bulk deal or just you picking the pieces you wanted for use?

[@poweredbyWatts]

Heard*

[@2dollarcrew]

It's a subtle difference for me but I just love the optical style compressors. My ears just seem to prefer them. I wonder which one I would like better while hearing the vocals in the song.

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, I need to do that too, I just didn't want to get the video super long.

[@KevDKR666]

My listening room is fairly flat, with no mains, air con or equipment noise. Listening to this comparison was interesting, the vocals were well chosen for this demo. With fast trans to work the FET comp and sustain in the vocal (in sections) to allow the Opto comp to thicken the vocals almost. The difference is subtle though present. It would however be very interesting to hear the alterations produced by each circuit comp in regards to frequency (assuming the comp takes are pre EQ) response against the rest of the track. I have a feeling when the track is reintroduced under this test/comparison, the FET may sound punchier but maybe slightly thinner and the Opto, well ... The Opposite. Maybe. Your appreciation for respecting the time it must take to master the gear you own and unlock some of the many alternative abilities our gear processes to aid a creative mind... is rather cool!

[@biggyladen6953]

Can you tell me please, is there a difference between using these compressors and the plugins?

[@effsixteenblock50]

Absolutely there is a difference. Not saying that plugins aren't useful but besides the hardware / software differences, doing your dynamics processing *before* you hit the converters is a completely different animal.

[@rickvaznis811]

I'll be buying both! Twice!! I own the 1176 and La2a plugins and always wanted to get the hardware of these babies, but so expensive! I gotta tell you...these clones are really close to the real deal for hundreds...even thousands less...I'm sold!! Thanx for the demo!!

[@delhoyo00]

Same thing happened here, just bought both of em.

[@CalvinMOfficial]

Would of been better if you used a variety of vocal takes (different styles, different singers etc)

[@FlankinspanK]

I liked the Fet better for the gritty voice. Seems to make the low end tighter without adding warmth. His voice already had enough tonal character.

[@dinomedanhodzic]

Great sounding conpressors! Will definitely get a pair of wa76 soon. Like the more agressive style.

[@creativesoundlab]

The WA76s kick ass.

[@DeadKoby]

The end result is to find what works for you, and run with it.

[@DirtyDiggz]

too me it sounds like the 2a handles the vocals better at it peak points. Face n Butter good. shouts to Merayo, put well. 76 seems like it allows the crunch more as the 2a dimmers it down

[@creativesoundlab]

Nice!

[@frankpaws]

First one more present but not as open, second more open and felt a little distant. could have used a 1db of boost to get to the same level.

[@creativesoundlab]

Hmm, I watched the meters pretty closely when I edited it.

[@frankpaws]

Well, it could be the nature of the compressor but it felt slightly quieter to me.

[@creativesoundlab]

Very possible, thanks for the feedback.

[@ayewhaddupdoe]

Just listened 3 times because of this comment lol I didn't use an spl meter or anything but I think they're pretty much dead nuts even.

[@steveg219]

Wa2a sounds immediately better on this track. Would be cool to do same test with fast transients, like drums to hear the contrast

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, the drums almost go right through the compressor. I can get a max of 5 dB of compression, as the WA2A is true to the LA2A form, of a 10ms attack time. I kind of think that the meters are not actually showing what's going on because of the speed limitations of meters. It still sounds good though. Really pillowy.

[@JRandallS]

I'd probably use both and back off the 76 a bit, but great sound. If I had to choose between the two for vocals I'd take LA2A clone.

[@creativesoundlab]

Nice!

[@jeroenfigee]

Uhhh WOW !! That much gainreduction on the 76 And the whole signal stays intact. Sounds amazing. I don't have to try that with my hardware compressors, :-( But I know what's on my wishlist now. I've got some shopping to do. :-)

[@studiosdoradora4722]

Me encanta el sonido del W a dos a, hace 15 días que me llegó ja ja ja y todavía no lo he probado soy un desastre

[@mrmorpheus9707]

I own both & use them in sequence with either my ssl alpha channel eq or warm audio eq...SIGNAL CHAIN OF HEAVEN!!!!

[@keepmovinent7679]

wa2a is way more transparent smooth ! good test

[@MarkChiassonGameDev]

WA2A for sure, way more 3D sounding thanks to the tube, smoother, rounder

[@approachableactive]

the 2A is far more transparent and it's warmth is even across the frequency spectrum. If you vocal already sounds pretty awesome this will only make it better. The 1176 has that mid bump that adds presence and it has a top end roll off that seems to attenuate some of the 6K Esses. it's bottom end is bigger and it feels slightly more like it's clamping down at times. Then again I like that lol I personally have always preferred the 1176 because it does some of the eq work for me and I do like it's rounder sound. but then again I'm used to it. I tend to compensate for it when eqing knowing that when I compress I'll get a mid boost. But the 2A can add a sparkle and open sound to a flatter vocal. And I love it on Overheads. OH DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE!

[@creativesoundlab]

Really great insight and ears. These types of comments make me have a second listen and they are always refreshing.

[@DECIFERTHIS09]

3:25 and 4:12

[@jasonshrestha]

to my ears, wa76 sounded better...? and wa2a had like..volume dips...in your time stamps. What do you think?

[@Artesound]

I know that LA2A coloring sound (no only compression). Old LA2A (original) add hight freq to signal and all this compresors and hardware things add something. Try only turn on compressor without input signal and look at spect. analyzer. I think you can not run thru this even if you dont use reduction. And second idea hardware models of the same hardware are not the same at the time (20 years old LA2A sound different than todays etc...)

[@creativesoundlab]

Yes, I'll do a different shootout that shows the individual units.

[@stanleybadams]

singing is OK but a more complex waveform is needed

[@bitspacemusic]

Four people don't really know their stuff.

[@creativesoundlab]

Ha thanks man! Yeah 4 dislikes

[@RayoBeatz]

I must suck at life i can not hear the difference :*( teach me... someone.

[@creativesoundlab]

Sometimes it helps if you turn the volume down low, and you can hear more of the difference. Listen to how the release of the compressor works. Listen for a sound that is "In your face" vs natural. Also listen for tones and slight overdrive qualities too. Most would just think of this as part of the tone of the compressor.

[@RayoBeatz]

thank you sir.. i've tried training my ears but im no good at mixing and it's what i want to do more than anything :( i've tried books videos courses audio bootcamp dvds david glenn recording still can't get any answers even studied the art of mixing by david gibson and some books by bob katz

[@aarona.dubzperson8245]

alvinraydj3 You have to have "Golden Ears". A lot of top notch mix engineers and producers have this " feature ". Every-thing is not for every-body...

[@creativesoundlab]

Yeah, I disagree, and I don't think "Golden Ears" are the real answer. If you can tell a difference between your own mix, and a pros mix, then you can certain appreciate "Good" sound, and you just need more experience and practice listening. It's just a matter of hearing it in very slight adjustments. It's known that the longer the example lasts, the more slight of a change that you can hear. Also, the more hands on time you have with gear the more you can hear a simple change of a capacitor or a transformer.

[@genesisnkaidence8519]

FET all day for your vocals... that optical only good for non aggressive shit like katy perry

[@Punkdebutique]

You sound like Joe Bonamassa

[@szucseszter0303]

Funny song

[@RamonZenker1111]

I will never never never understand videos like this one ! It makes absolutely NO SENSE to compare gear like this in SOLO ! High End Equipment shows it´s power IN THE MIX ! That´s the secret of this stuff - High End Microphones, Compressors, EQs or Reverbs like Lexicon - if you hear it solo you can compare it to cheaper alternatives or clones - the sound is not a big difference. But when you mix it - THERE is A BIG difference because it´s much more easier to mix with stuff like this ! Never will understand why nobody mention it. If you ever worked with this gear - you know it :-) Please delete this video and do a new one where you use it in a mix !