SHHH...Budget LA2A ...They don't want you to know

Today on The Music City Reject, I am reviewing the IGS Photon Opto Compressor. Why are they hiding this from us?
Below is a link
vintageking.co...

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

You are doing a great job. Keep up the good work.

[@MusicCityReject]

Thank you!

[@aleksamrkela831]

Not surprised. IGS make amazing products, especially for the money!

[@MusicCityReject]

Agreed!

[@jameslowell2078]

There is also the 'OLA5' Opto Compressor from DIYRE (I'm thinking based on LA-4 given the small size). The OLA5 is less than half the price (of IGS) as a kit and still less than IGS if purchased assembled at the factory. It has purchase options for an output transformer and also a discrete op amp (DIYRE calls these 'Vintage' output options). The feature set is about the same as the IGS but a couple of settings are controlled with jumpers on the board rather than on the front panel. Has 2,4,12 ratios, optional 'vintage output' section, a sidechain high cut switch, a link switch and importantly a mix control on the front for parallel processing. I just ordered one to try out (as a kit). There are a couple of reviews on KZbin that sounded good. I bought the kit to keep within my limited budget. Fingers crossed . . . the assembly looks straightforward if you can solder. Nice to know the IGS is available too.

[@MusicCityReject]

Thanks for the amazing feedback! Let me know how you like the DIYRE. I would like to try to build a few pieces someday when i dont have toddlers running around and time is more available lol.

[@dragonemortale9056]

I'm interested in this one too, can you make a comparison between this one and the 560? They are not the same but as levellers could be a good match!

[@athonygraham8353]

The main reason that there are no real LA2A 500 series is because the LA2A is all about the tubes and the circuit and transformers. Pretty tough to get those tubes and circuitry inside a 500 series. Wes Audio might be the nearest and definitely the best, but unfortunately, an LA2A is an LA2A. Whilst IGS are great, this isn't an LA2A either, it's a great compressor though. The Carnhill transformers are just a group brand and the secrets, as such, behind the original Neve etc transformers are they were wound to the specs of Neve etc for each compressor at each company and this happened under the St Ives, Marinair and Cornhill companies. I think it would be better to just review the compressor in itself, rather than referencing a different, very different compressor.

[@MusicCityReject]

Awesome Feedback! I agree with your points. I was saying something similar to an LA2A. Plugins dont have have tube circuits either. My point was a single unit LA2A style opto compressor is impossible to find but this is the best option for the money. It has a similar layout as a LA2A and like the LA 2A you cant make it sound bad. Thanks again for the awesome feedback. Keep checking in!

[@matt_nyc_audioengineer]

Which WesAudio comp is an LA-2A style? Do you mean the RHEA? If so, that's a Vari-Mu compressor. The LA-2A is an Optical Tube comp. There are completely different circuits. If you mean the MIMAS that's a FET compressor like an 1176. I'm curious to know which compressor you are talking about here because I have many WesAudio units and if they have a 500 series LA-2A clone I need it in my rack.

[@Polentaccio]

They also have the IGS Audio ONE LA 500 which is closer to the LA2A ( still not quite as good) and takes up 2 spots in your 500 series chassis but it is around the same price so..... that's probably why you don't hear much on this one.

[@MusicCityReject]

Agreed…Thats how i found this one.

[@matt_nyc_audioengineer]

Sweetwater is great but I've went through 2 sales reps already haha!! If you aren't happy with yours just ask for another. My rep and I chat about mixing stuff all the time! Even stuff they don't sell. I just got the AudioScape V3A and it's KILLER but it's an LA-3A emulation. I was looking for a 500 series LA-2A and had the same luck you did lol. There is the Freidenstein opto comp too but at the price, I don't hold out much hope for it. I'm not really willing to spend the money to find out. HRK makes a tube optical compressor but it's NEVER in stock. I have another HRK piece and they make great gear too for a VERY affordable price. The Vocal Leveler from Tegler is pretty good but I preferred the V3A from AudioScape over it.

[@MusicCityReject]

I will have to check the audioscape out. This Photon is pretty awesome for $1k. Also im curious on the wes audio too because i couldnt find it. Also even though the photon doesnt have the tubes like a La2a the london and newyork modes give it colour.

[@matt_nyc_audioengineer]

@@MusicCityReject Ya, it seemed pretty cool. I checked it out when I got the V3A but wasn't super happy with the pricetag for the IGS so ended up going with AudioScape. Highly recommend checking them out!