Slate FG 2A vs CLA 2A vs Universal Audio LA-2A | Shoot Out

[@swettyspaghtti]

You recommended the Waves CLA 76 to me on a livestream 2 years ago. Helped my mixes BIGTIME. thanks again!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Glad to help!

[@tromputer]

Tip: Alt-click the solo button on the next plugin, and it will automatically mute the previous plugin. I like your videos. ;-)

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Good tip! I did not know that

[@Bthelick]

the reason you probably prefer the UA 1176 is it doesn't have output transformer modelling, which on the slate saturates very early (like a much older unit) making gain staging essential. Its actually a great distortion tool in that regard but if you want to let the transients through you need to keep the output low and use the trimmer module to do the makeup.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

ok, thannks

[@commonsense5188]

@@johnisrael5183 It's crazy how different people perceive things in various ways. I've used Slate quite a bit but recently thought of trying UAD after all these years since they finally went Native, and this is the second test in a row from a different channel that I've checked out in the last 30 minutes. The first test was a rap vocal and then I stumbled across this shootout. I'm talking specifically about vocals here. Despite the typical YT audio quality the differences are quite apparent on quality monitors. I say all of that, to say this. When I think of an LA2A and what I want from it, the UAD absolutely nails it. UAD LA2A is tight, controlled and buttery smooth and really gets a vocal in the pocket. Slate, while it sounds good just doesn't compare to UAD. It's smooth, but not nearly as controlled and tight as the UAD, to ME. That's just my personal opinion. With that said, when I was using Slate a lot, I was never truly happy with the sound. They are good plugs and there are a lot of developers making great things these days in plugin form. But as I've read on various forums over the years, there most definitely IS a "Slate sound" and I'm glad I got rid of all my Slate software last month.

[@PurpleMusicProductions]

​@@commonsense5188 I agree with that assessment and heard the same thing. Now that UAD has moved to native, developers are in serious trouble because they existed because UAD was a walled garden.

[@flavmusicman]

Have all three ,love the Slate version very smooth sound, but i dig the UAD more on vocals has more edge then the FG and it just doesn't compress, it has an analog umph to it.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching

[@wildhorse4262]

I mixed this song for my Audio II mid-term back in school. Really brings me back.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Cool. Thanks for watching!

[@bazzzzz6175]

Love my Slate stuff. The blue stripe FG116 I like but not too keen on the black one. The FG 2A is brilliant. Had to go over all my mixes with it. Can't wait for their blue custom opto, which you were talking about. Nice video shootout.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thank you

[@ridelmakane1854]

Always the best review and best explication thank you Verry much

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Glad you liked it I really appreciate your support :)

[@DMKahn]

I think the Slate has the best release characteristic. The UAD sounds really transparent, almost too much so. The waves is classic just doesn’t have as much detail. Good review Man. I sent you a comment earlier that I deleted so it’s for you only. Cheers

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@lightafluident.9950]

Analog Obsession plugins are GREAT!!!!!

[@SoniqSounds]

Great thing is that they ALL sound great!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Very, very true

[@CamiloVelandia]

Awesome video! I, like you, have all the emulations. I got tired of seeing greyed out plug-ins and got em all. Thanks again

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thank you very much for watching!

[@JayTheLane]

Bass tone was great out of the gate. Loving your videos as always.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks!

[@Delamere_Music]

That bass guitar sounds beautiful and I love your comparison videos. Keep up the great work. I currently own the Universal Audio La2a legacy plugin which I think sounds great, but I find it inconvenient to use due to the need of then having to take my Apollo everywhere I go. Do you have an alternative that you’d recommend that isn’t Waves (I don’t like there update plan) or Slate Digital (Because I wouldn’t want to rent plugins paying monthly). Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I did a Live Stream comparing every La2a I have. Search my archive

[@DarrenCampbellmusic]

Try the LALA by Analog Obsession, I've even picked it out in a blind test over the UAD La2a

[@hectortroy6471]

Problem with slate is if you use the slate stuff and than eventually end up canceling when you go to pro tools to play stuff back the plug-in is no longer active

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

True but that is the case with every membership type product.

[@WayneDawkinsThePartyMan]

All useful and can get the result you need with some tweaks as long as you know the sound you are after.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Good point. Thanks for watching!

[@ibrahim47x]

I was surprised Waves CLA-2A sounded best, especially on the bass. I thought UAD was going to win. Slate sounded digital in a bad way to my ears, squished and thin, and the low-end almost disappears.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks!

[@peteypablo09]

Really?! That’s surprising that you heard it that way. I heard it totally differently but perhaps neither of are “wrong” 😀

[@LBJedi]

If you had to pick one, do you think you’d go with a Slate or Plug-in Alliance subscription?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Slate

[@doc31648]

Dave, was the Slate console emulation on when you demoed the fg 2A?.. I couldn't tell...

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

yes, on all tracks

[@ELEVATETHESKY]

Nice review. The FG-2A is a great opt compressor. I have a question for you. What screen capture do you use? You get great audio and are still able to capture what you are doing on screen.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

screenflow....on a Mac

[@ELEVATETHESKY]

Thank you.

[@iyanuolunimi24]

Hi Dave, thank you for always given out the best in review. for i think slate digital la-2a is cool for me.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

My pleasure!

[@AMB666]

Great comparison!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks!

[@TheOnlineBusker]

This is cool, I've been thinking about UAD Spark, but then, I already have Waves LA 2A & 1176, plus Kush API emulation, Kush Gold Plate Reverb, Abbey Rd Reverb and a whole bunch of others, do I really need to waste more money on a $20 monthly subscription?? Apparently not!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Great point!

[@DalleyMusic]

Love your shootout comparison videos!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Glad you like them!. Thank you

[@sgfdancecompany]

the UAD TELE Series is the one that I'm choosing, the Grey one is the pumper mids one (the silver more transparent)

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Great! Thanks for watching

[@jimhardiman3836]

I'm new to UAD Apollo and LUNA and love their LA2A and Pultec legacy plug ins. Is there a notable upgrade in terms of audio quality in the MkII version? Is it worth upgrading those plugins?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

in my opinion, yes

[@jimhardiman3836]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy thanks I think I will upgrade them during the Christmas sale.

[@delmixedit]

Nice review. Be nice to compare to the other 2 UAD versions. I believe the Legacy would be closer to the FG-2A, but as you mentioned, they are modeled after different units.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

not going to be much different to be honest.

[@angelorozul241]

I'm gonna check it later after updating :) thanks

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@mangoman3038]

Hi ,just wondering...are you using obs for streaming ?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes for Live streaming I use OBS

[@qwertandrew8720]

thank you for your video

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

You are welcome

[@Bthelick]

"tube style compressor" ??? The whole point of an LA2 is the Opto sensor, not so much the signal path which of course ifs tube like most other gear from this era.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

thanks for the info

[@TroubadourMusic]

Good video. Thanks!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

You bet!

[@daaaMook]

Any feedback on cpu usage between plugins?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

all very light CPU usage

[@markholley]

Was the CLA - 3A comments supposed to be CLA - 2A? Thinking so?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

lol...must have mis-spoke

[@markholley]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy No worries, it was just said a couple of times, and I was trying to follow along - appreciate all your work.

[@wesleyleigh4063]

I haven't used the UA version but the waves La 2a is honestly kinda ass. In fact all waves compressors suck in my opinion. I'm not yet done looking for my favourite 76 clone but the Arturia and infinistrip FET are leagues better sounding then the cla 76. The only one I use is the Dpr 402, which i'm soon to get a real version of I love it so damn much.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@rheard128]

@wesley Leigh man I thought u was just bs but I tried the arturia comp it sounds way better than the waves shit open my ears to how bad the waves sounds any more things u recommend?

[@Lalaladkdkdkdks]

Please!!! A review of FG-N and FG-S of SLATE DIGITAL!!! And SSL Comp VBC FG-Grey pleaseeee!!! You are awesome!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I have covered those in the past.

[@j-rockmusic8697]

That Slate sounded really good to me

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

The Slate sounds great for sure

[@lastspoil5547]

Yeah I'm gonna go ahead and spend the $299 and go with the UAD for my apollo.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Congrats!

[@cbmtrx]

$300 vs $150 vs $36. Noted.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

ok, thanks

[@jayclas4023]

UAD all the way!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching

[@GabrielCastellarTV]

I didn’t really like the Slate FG-2A. It’s to aggressive to my ears. The other 2 sound better.

[@GabrielCastellarTV]

A lot more natural

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Interesting. Thanks!

[@difab4n]

The CLA is letting more of the peaks through

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching

[@stupidusername38]

Analog Obsession offers a free LA2A called LALA, its on his Patreon page. I really like it. He also offers an SSL bus compressor called BusterSE and a Neve compressor called Britcompressor good stuff

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for sharing

[@EdwinDekker71]

AO makes great plugins! Tuba is also very good.

[@lightafluident.9950]

Those PLUGINS ARE AWESOME!!!! I LOVE ANALOG OBSESSION PLUGS!!!!!