How to use an audio compressor limiter Neil Young's engineer explains

[@shuminimal420]

You make engineering 100x more interesting. I’m now more grateful for the plugins I bought from UAD especially for knowing the history behind it. You’re also the source of information so that’s even crazier. Keep it up!

[@RipperFromYT]

I enjoyed listening to Richards explaination enough that I went looking for other videos only to find out he passed away shortly after this video was released. What a bummer. Seemed like a good guy.

[@slamcrank]

Always cool to hear Richard K ... but, I have to admit, the description of the "gain" action on the LA2 and LA2A is very strange. I've never owned an LA2, but I've owned about 5 different vintage LA2As, and the "gain" knob controlled OUTPUT only. It is post gain-reduction. I had to go check my old manual to make sure, and there it is: page 3 of the silver-face unit I have (circa 1972) - "This control does not affect the compression. The gain control should be set after the desired amount of compression is determined using the Peak Reduction control. Once the Peak Reduction control is set, adjust the Gain Control to achieve the desired output level." ... I don't write this to be a know-it-all, I just wanted to make sure any other engineers out there didn't think they were alone when they thought "I must be crazy" when Richard explains it backwards... hahaha. Cool videos!!

[@lost_valley]

slamcrank I was surprised to hear from him that the gain know is actually pre gain, I use a software emulation of the LA 2A and the manual says that the knob controls the output or makeup level of the compressor, I assume that the model he's describing is different compared to the models made by Universal Audio then.

[@ΝίκοςΠιτλόγλου]

+David C. I think it was probably a speech mistake.

[@tekis0]

+slamcrank Yes, you're 100% correct. ALL LA2's and LA3's (for that matter) have a "make up" gain control. It does no "feed" the compressor; it's post. These units have a ridiculous amount of gain available btw.

[@martysquire1054]

Agh!!, Did any of you guys listen to him? he was explaining an important difference between the la-2 and the LA-2A. (note the letter 'A' after the numeral 2) He clearly said words to the effect that a huge difference between the 2 and the redesigned 2A is that the older LA-2's Gain knob- controls an amplifier circuit that raises the level of signal coming IN to the box BEFORE it hits the limiting circuit. I assume that Mr Putnam (the creator of the later LA-2A) realised that this was a waste of an amp circuit , because the mic amp or line amp of whatever was being used before the TeleTronix can raise or lower the signal hitting the limiter circuit. That's why, he says in the video above, the amp circuit was moved so it came AFTER the limiting/compressing circuit, and became a make-up gain knob as it is in every hardware and software version I've ever encountered. I didn't even know that teletronix tried this gain staging style. So, this is another useless piece of trivia I now have. But most important thing to know is that: the Teletronix LA-2A seen eveywhere today has MAKEUP GAIN ONLY......

[@norakat]

Its interesting to think that if he thought that all those years, it did not hinder him from accomplishing what he wanted. I love Neil Young because all his music is 'no nonsense'.. no crazy effects or really modern stuff and he just depended on good music. That prob made it straight forward for the engineer to record his music.

[@mattyann]

Thank you so much for this video! I have a digital version of the LA2 and no clue how to use it so this was extremely helpful.

[@KristianSalo]

Great Explanation how the LA2(A) works. Thank you. Really helped me to understand it.

[@kenneth-roberts]

Best explanation I’ve heard yet!

[@kame5271]

RIP Richard K

[@OrganicPickups]

I have no idea the LA-2 even existed! Some audio samples for the next video would be great.

[@felixdorn21]

very nice explained! From now on, i will never forget the little man in the box putting the fader down. :)

[@user-vm1hh2lp1b]

RIP The Legendary Richard Kaplan :(

[@waadkakos6918]

I have it La2a and I believe The first knob is not the input it’s actually the output

[@_SpaceDad]

Thank you for putting this together.

[@veerchasm1]

If you borrow my gear don't mark my crap!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Another Classic please keep them coming!!! 127 Riot Studio

[@ashenone3427]

Is the red mark on the peak reduction Neil's settings for his vocals?

[@Bloodhound_Dogg]

This is a great compressor. Screw all them kinobs theycome with now this one has 2 knobs, how much you want to compress and when do you want to start

[@jonathanwilliams7839]

best video out

[@MrDarkSide111]

Love these videos! I have a Teletronix La2a and it is absolutely amazing! Another great La2a to have is one made by Kenetek ! Those are right up their on the level as original La2a's.

[@aarona.dubzperson8245]

EngineeringTheEnemy1 Audio-Scape makes one of thee best LA2a out there!!!!

[@alecalfaras5936]

Can confirm, Audioscape is 🤟😎🍻🔥

[@FletchDeezie]

Richard, great video, thanks for sharing the knowledge!! :)

[@catface101]

I wonder what the markings mean On the Gain knob, it looks like 597 / 575 or 515 BG - Background vocals? u87 - clear enough and Peak knob D - ? BGs - background vocals?

[@chatbot9033]

Output gain ❤ for the gain knob. Nice!

[@TheRealHucasys]

Cool. Wish you had done a demo.

[@NewJunctionMusicRoom]

The gain knob controls output makeup gain after compression...:)

[@nichttuntun3364]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing. So true, you got to listen!

[@andym7333]

did he listen to his voc throu that when recording or live or only post prossesing

[@ChannelSurfiing]

Great video. Any others?

[@ChannelSurfiing]

found 'em

[@florin1290]

I wish to have those LA 2A s in my studio. Thank you for this great video.

[@gdansk12349]

I just saw another video saying the gain knob is putput gain after the limiting? Is this true or is it input gain pre limiting?

[@gasolineandwine]

It is post-gain, so just make up gain. Not sure why Richard got them mixed up, though it's an understandable mistake.

[@MichaelMarucci]

I feel like I need to clear my throat/ears listening to this brilliant man. Is the audio gummy or is that just me?

[@user-ks3ru9tp7h]

Michael Marucci Same here. I think it's just his voice. It sounds like he's chewing marshmallows.

[@osahenipaulamenordia3321]

+Corey P LOL

LOL yeah... wise man tho

[@steamingheartbeat]

Excellent! Your ears decide! Don't let yourself be seduced by advertisements of any kind in music business.

[@bearatonemedia]

For my musician friends - how an LA2A works. Neil Youngs LA2A

[@a-gnosis]

great video, thanks for sharing

[@toomanyprojectstx]

THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING IT IN THE BEST WAY!!!

[@jacobhn2]

I have modified one yamaha gc2020 compressor and uses it as a limitor but realese time was too short , so I cut two resistors of inside and got a realese time of 9 sec . why it is that when I play music so I want all mp3 or other numbers are in the same SOUNDLEVEL , and now I can play music that does not have as high SOUNDLEVEL then gc2020 will turn slowly up the volume without losing dynamic , and if there is a track with high output signal it turn down immediately

[@HenryMusic255]

Is this the same unit that Waves emulates with the CLA 2A Plugin? I just recognized the color scheme.. I can remember reading something about 'teletronix' in the manual.. So how exactly do u use this in mastering? just get 6db reduction and add back the makeup gain? (newbie)

[@derloX]

It's the same type of compressors, yes. Each of these units sounds a bit different to each other because it is analog equipment, and Waves CLA-2A is an emulation of Chris Lord-Alge's own LA 2A unit - thats why its called CLA-2A. And yes, that is basically how you use it - select your peak reduction (compression) and add the volume back (gain) :)

[@HenryMusic255]

derloX Kool, thanks for the info... Lately I've tried using it as a Limiter on my masters, to try and get a nicer sound than the ordinary digital brickwall limiters, lol..

[@norakat]

Do you guys put an LA2 on the vocals when you are recording the original tracks or only when you are playing back the track?

[@dmillionaire7]

When tracking is best But also again when mixing

[@norakat]

@@dmillionaire7thanks

[@KETEBOWERS]

Excellent explanation ! 😎🎶

[@kevinwall5727]

Thks for the story an info

[@ENONBEATS]

Great teaching

[@dmillionaire7]

Thank you great sir

[@detox-dtxmusic6854]

Awesome video Thanks for sharing!

[@josefrancisco6969]

Great channel. Thanks for the videos.

[@Barfymane69]

great video great compressor

[@treztracks]

This was 101% cool

[@derrickchapman8504]

Its no real videos on optimizing the hardware gear in depth video

[@jasonmare33]

awesome!

[@kevinstarofficial]

great video! thanks!

[@kiebEntertainment]

pretty cool !!

[@kingech_B15]

Thank you

[@elevatenyc]

What doses it mean ? Output +10 or +4. Sooo confused. Understood all until the important part for me .

[@JulianFernandez]

thanks!

[@MadiTheMiss]

thank you thank you thank you

[@andrewross2247]

Richard, Sorry to be picky but in the interest of clarity, you make a rather large blunder in this vid. The Gain knob is Make-up gain or OUTPUT gain, not input gain as you stated.

[@norakat]

Thats not being picky lol

[@MrArtVein]

He passed away awhile ago

[@belghun43]

thats so good

[@belghun43]

im still doing music and find this video

[@AndrewHubbardBadger]

Lovely :)

[@SnowWhite-dr6xh]

Rad indeed

[@brookmelee5983]

You didn't use the teletronix on this video, did you?

[@Mekratrig]

I get no audio on this. Only me?

[@RobCoates1]

The real thing. Only a faint resemblance to the cheap clones (warm, KT, UA etc) out now days.

[@annother3350]

So did he use this for "Land of the common people"?! ;0)

[@PeteMinda]

Sorry but you are wrong about one thing. The gain knob is for make up gain after compression.

[@alekp6822]

The robot inside...

[@gordonm7038]

Legends Pine Ln Gremlins inside!

[@Deadphish1]

Thank you for the very informed video. I happen to have a Tri-Tronics Regulated Output Amplifier and was hoping you may be able to tell me or point me in the right direction to find out more information about the amplifier and possibly use it as a vocal compressor. this is a 90 second video of the unit I have. Thank you again. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn_Ig4xoq9ChmLMsi=OPHaceg3y6WbTryq

[@gordonm7038]

Get a BIG FAT SOUND!

[@DjSoulMajestix]

im sorry BUT GAIN is for the OUTPUT not INPUT GAIN ... there is no input gain !!

[@Phoebedumplings]

So this is what made Neil's young voice ? Hmmmmmm

[@gordonm7038]

Peter Butler Four Strong Winds made his voice, Pete!

[@ilovecops6255]

Yougave ti to neil youngs frends adn trhey dfamaged it, They must be real mindless clowns.

[@AdamRainStopper]

So, you wouldn't happen to need a kidney, would you?