NPD: Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A pedal

[MojoPin]

The ability to do multiple simultaneous effects is entirely dependent on the hardware implementation. Just because it's "digital" does not mean the processor can handle all the independent threads or has the necessary cache or off-board memory to handle multiple effects threads at once. If you want really deep processing at a "reasonable" cost (whatever that is to you), don't expect to get a generic implementation that can run multiple effects. And if you do want that, then you're gonna have to deal with menus and lots of extra user interface instead of dedicated user inputs.

Sure, UA could sell you a pedal that can do everything REALLY well, but you won't want to pay for it when you can buy a get-the-job-done-maybe Zoom for a lot less. And there's no way in the world you're going to get even close to an authentic LA-2A or 1176 in a small format pedal without extensive DSP. Sure, you can capture the vibe with modern SMT analog components, but you're not getting UA plug-in quality from a small analog pedal. DPS can get you a lot closer to the real thing.

I don't have any UA gear whatsoever, but I've experienced it in studios and I do appreciate their technical approach. I also understand the hardware limitations of DSP. It's not actually magic, and nothing is free - even with software.

I don't believe it can give me anything closer to a real LA-2A or an 1176 since I have compared some of their stuff to similar emulations on the HX and I don't find them to be that much different at all. Certainly doesn't make up for the fact it's only one effect taking up alot more space than it should either. If I'm going to have anything on my board that is in a pedal format and be a single effect, its gonna be analog because imo analog will always sound and feel better overall.

 

[paskisti]

The ability to do multiple simultaneous effects is entirely dependent on the hardware implementation. Just because it's "digital" does not mean the processor can handle all the independent threads or has the necessary cache or off-board memory to handle multiple effects threads at once. If you want really deep processing at a "reasonable" cost (whatever that is to you), don't expect to get a generic implementation that can run multiple effects. And if you do want that, then you're gonna have to deal with menus and lots of extra user interface instead of dedicated user inputs.

Sure, UA could sell you a pedal that can do everything REALLY well, but you won't want to pay for it when you can buy a get-the-job-done-maybe Zoom for a lot less. And there's no way in the world you're going to get even close to an authentic LA-2A or 1176 in a small format pedal without extensive DSP. Sure, you can capture the vibe with modern SMT analog components, but you're not getting UA plug-in quality from a small analog pedal. DPS can get you a lot closer to the real thing.

I don't have any UA gear whatsoever, but I've experienced it in studios and I do appreciate their technical approach. I also understand the hardware limitations of DSP. It's not actually magic, and nothing is free - even with software.

This is very true. You can stuff a lot more features into typical size pedal when it is done digital, or you can have higher quality result compared to similar sized analog pedal.

Proper hardware and software design makes good pedal. UA and Source Audio are good examples when digital pedal can have a good set of features with high sound quality. Practically this is impossible to reach with analog design. And, in most cases you don't need to think about design. You just use phone app (we do that all the time anyway) to make adjustments and then focus on playing and twisting knobs - there is no need to get back into app frequently.

For some, this is not a good approach, because they cannot decide when all things are set, and they end up tuning settings endlessly.

 

[smatanovic]

For some, this is not a good approach, because they cannot decide when all things are set, and they end up tuning settings endlessly.

I have this problem in life, generally.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I don't believe it can give me anything closer to a real LA-2A or an 1176 since I have compared some of their stuff to similar emulations on the HX and I don't find them to be that much different at all. Certainly doesn't make up for the fact it's only one effect taking up alot more space than it should either. If I'm going to have anything on my board that is in a pedal format and be a single effect, its gonna be analog because imo analog will always sound and feel better overall.

Not everyone wants an HX Stomp to run a compressor.

I have an HX Stomp and I use it about once every 6mo when I get curious about something, but that's about it. Sounds good enough, but not worth the hassle if you're not interested in stacking tons of model and effects.

 

[MojoPin]

Not everyone wants an HX Stomp to run a compressor.

I have an HX Stomp and I use it about once every 6mo when I get curious about something, but that's about it. Sounds good enough, but not worth the hassle if you're not interested in stacking tons of model and effects.

Right, that's why I have a Cali76. I never said anything about what people want or don't want and don't really care honestly, I just know what I like. Also the HX stomp not a hassle at all once you get the hang of understanding how you can use it blending different channels and routing different signals wherever you want. It's an amazing piece of hardware in such a tiny unit and honestly has spoiled me completely. A simple and small midi controller with 3 extra switches can save space if you don't want the XL and I usually suggest it. Becomes the perfect improve buddy when you want alot of sounds at your disposal.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Right, that's why I have a Cali76. I never said anything about what people want or don't want and don't really care honestly, I just know what I like. Also the HX stomp not a hassle at all once you get the hang of understanding how you can use it blending different channels and routing different signals wherever you want. It's an amazing piece of hardware in such a tiny unit and honestly has spoiled me completely. A simple and small midi controller with 3 extra switches can save space if you don't want the XL and I usually suggest it. Becomes the perfect improve buddy when you want alot of sounds at your disposal.

Yeah, the HX Stomp is great if you want to use all those features. I said I don't use mine often because I have no need for it, but I didn't say I don't know how to use it or that I'm not aware of it's extensive capabilities.

 

[MojoPin]

Yeah, the HX Stomp is great if you want to use all those features. I said I don't use mine often because I have no need for it, but I didn't say I don't know how to use it or that I'm not aware of it's extensive capabilities.

Weird, if you are someone that has no need for it, how and why did you learn to use it's "extensive capabilities" and yet only use it "once every six months to check something out"? I mean, wasn't that a "hassle"? You don't need to use everything to make it incredible effective at cleaning up extra noisy digital pedals from your pedal board and saving space. Just sayin...

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Weird, if you are someone that has no need for it, how and why did you learn to use it's "extensive capabilities" and yet only use it "once every six months to check something out"? I mean, wasn't that a "hassle"? You don't need to use everything to make it incredible effective at cleaning up extra noisy digital pedals from your pedal board and saving space. Just sayin...

I'm an electronics engineer and the HX Stomp isn't rocket science. I know complex systems, and the HX Stomp ain't it. I bought mine when I was bored and had some fun with it. When I was gigging all the time in many bands playing all kinds of genres, I could've used it extensively. Now I mostly do sessions and the producers I work with want a clean, pure DI signal. I might give them some dirt or octave for a specific song, but that's about it.

As for the hassle, I'm not interested in hauling around extra gear I'm not using. Again, it's not rocket science.

 

[scubaduba]

UA makes a pedal called Max, which has both compressors, in addition to a dynacomp. @scubaduba didn’t review it well at all, but it certainly would work as you suggest.

Here’s my review of the UA Max: Universal Audio Max Compressor Review

The idea of having three legendary limiters and an iconic tube preamp in a smallish pedal board form factor is intriguing. Sadly, it falls short.

 

[smatanovic]

OP update: I've been using the LA-2A for about 10 days now, and I think I prefer it to the 1176 pedal. It feels squishier and more analog when playing, and it sounds warmer and thicker and more hairy than the 1176. So far so good.

Also, unintended consequence: dialing in the UA LA-2A pedal and finding settings that I like caused me to go back into the compressors on my Line6 POD Express Bass and play with the LA-2A there (I had been rotating through a series of external compressor pedals). I am now much happier with the built-in compressor sound/feel.

 

[smatanovic]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm compressor shopping and thought the 1176 might be an alternative to the Cali76 I'm considering.
Agreement rant: I completely agree that multieffects are the only way digital makes sense, I've had only bad luck with my digital pedals (bought not knowing it was digital) running anywhere but the front of my signal chain, not to mention the power supply noise they introduce (the only pedal that needs to be isolated). Seems these days unless the marketing clearly states "100% analog signal path" it isn't.
That leaves me to decide between an Accountant and a Diamond, each of which I like on paper for different reasons. Also considering the Wampler Ego76 but can't find analog confirmation on the page...

FWIW, I'm running these off of a Cioks DC-7 and they're dead silent.

 

[micguy]

I don't really like how digital pedals are all selling for basically the same price as analog pedals, though these area little cheaper depending on which compressor you are comparing them to. I know they sound great but I bet BOTH of those compressors have the exact same chip running their compression, the only difference is the compression emulation running on them. I won't get any single digital pedal for this reason, multi-effects only for digital ANYTHING imo.

Most of the chips in analog pedals are op amps. An op amp does what it does, not because of the model it is, but based on the parts and topology of the circuit around it - most pedals that have op amp chips in them, you could use a wide variety of op amps in that circuit, and there would be vanishingly small differences in how they sound. Op amps are generally very versatile as well - you can do a lot of different things with an op amp based on what circuit you build around it. The same chip that is used in most tube screamers, my company used for lots of difference circuits - mic pres in pro audio gear, mixing stages, etc. The things we built with them have nothing in common with a tube screamer in what or how they do their thing.

Digital pedals are designed around ships that are programmed - they ship does what it's told to do by it's programming code. Like op amps, one dsp chip can do a lot of different things.

A dump truck, a tractor, and and a sports car may use the same engine block, but they are very different animals. Neither is good at what the other does - the engine by itself does not determine how the thing performs.

The builder in the nice neighbor hood and the guy making cheap houses both probably buy the same 2 x 4's, yet the houses can be stunningly different

The thing that digital pedals that use the same chip (or series of chips) have going for them is that the Engineers programming them don't have to learn how to program a new dsp every time they design a pedal - that means you get a better product (they have learned from the previous products using that chip), so they can do a better job on this one) for less (less development time means that the product can be cheaper).

Deciding to not buy certain pedals because they use a common building block part, be it analog or digital, makes absolutely no sense, at least if you understand electronics.

 

[MojoPin]

Deciding to not buy certain pedals because they use a common building block part, be it analog or digital, makes absolutely no sense, at least if you understand electronics.

The thing you are missing is that, if the effect can work on the same chip, then they can be ALSO shipped in the same unit like a multi-effects all in one solution. Yet they aren't because then they can milk people for each individual effect that doesn't take as much work to create than a whole new circuit or even a circuit variation with a known topology. That's my point, they create these emulations that can ALL run on the same chip in the way a multi-effect unit can, hell... they can even run on a laptop apparently yet they try to sell a single individual effect pedal for $200+ or even more sometimes? I'll just go with one of the many multi-effect variants that exist on the market that will do the job better since it's in a single enclosure with an insane amount of options (HX Stomp in my case) that fit nicely in one spot on the board. It's more economical in so many different ways I just don't see why ANY one would buy individual digital pedals but that's just me I guess. Also, I don't need analogies in order to understand the tech, I have a minor in computer science and am always interested in digital tech, especially as a musician and a gamer but thanks for giving me a different perspective to look at it from.

 

[micguy]

The thing you are missing is that, if the effect can work on the same chip, then they can be ALSO shipped in the same unit like a multi-effects all in one solution. Yet they aren't because then they can milk people for each individual effect that doesn't take as much work to create than a whole new circuit or even a circuit variation with a known topology. That's my point, they create these emulations that can ALL run on the same chip in the way a multi-effect unit can, hell... they can even run on a laptop apparently yet they try to sell a single individual effect pedal for $200+ or even more sometimes? I'll just go with one of the many multi-effect variants that exist on the market that will do the job better since it's in a single enclosure with an insane amount of options (HX Stomp in my case) that fit nicely in one spot on the board. It's more economical in so many different ways I just don't see why ANY one would buy individual digital pedals but that's just me I guess. Also, I don't need analogies in order to understand the tech, I have a minor in computer science and am always interested in digital tech, especially as a musician and a gamer but thanks for giving me a different perspective to look at it from.

I have a few single (or multiple, but not a big number) effects pedals, because, for the gigs I do, I might need one effect, in addition to my utility stuff. So, I put thr effect I want on the board, and there’s a footswitch to turn it on or off. The UI is simple, intuitive, and does what I want when I want it, with no fuss, no menus, none of that.

I’m also particular. Although a multi- effect might do the kind of things I want it to, I can’t imagine a single unit that would do all of them precisely the way I want them all. A multi effect is, to me, too limiting, and the UI hassle is not worth it in a live situation.