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Union Tube & Transistor - LAB Compressor

#41
butterfingers1 said:
Well I did it. It was at one of the many Long Mcquades near here. So very simply here it is.

Fat (round, warm, punchy):

LAB > Diamond bass comp eq > Broughton Omnicomp >> Empress bass compressor

Colour (darkness):

Diamond >> LAB > Omnicomp > Empress

The Empress is transparent, except that the compression makes things more audible, articulate and even. The optical compressors, which I prefer, have a cleaning up effect, almost like the notes swell and balloon and absorb and homogenize the harshness and sharp edges and noises in the sounds.

The LAB combines the fatness of the Diamond with the clarity of the Omnicomp. After one day it’s my favourite, although the others all have their useful qualities. The Empress transparency is just different from these optical compressors, and doesn’t sound as good on its own, but this property obviously has its uses. And its tone switch is very useful and well-designed.
Click to expand...
It’s such a nice compressor. I actually picked a second one up for another board.
 
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#43
butterfingers1 said:
You wonder why it doesn’t come up more in discussions here. That tone really stands out. I was worried that not being a bass-specific pedal it might sound thin or muddled, like the Fairfield Accountant.
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I think it's because the cost to knob ratio scares people away. It's also not something you'll find in a store to check out in person.

I love mine, but I only bought it because I'd already tried and loved the digital UA LA-2A pedal and wanted to try the Lab.
 
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#45
The LAB would be my choice for sure.

Here's my reviews of both:

www.compressorpedalreviews.com

Universal Audio UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor Pedal Review

The UAFX 1176 compressor pedal is the second pedal in the new line from Universal Audio. I have previously reviewed the UAFX Max compressor which you can familiarize yourself with here. I had high hopes for that compressor. Three legendary limiters and an iconic tube preamp in a smallish pedal...
www.compressorpedalreviews.com www.compressorpedalreviews.com

www.compressorpedalreviews.com

Union Tube & Transistor Lab Compressor Review

It doesn't get much simpler than this. Just two knobs. One for volume/makeup gain (the left knob) and amount of compression (the right knob).The Union Tube & Transistor Lab is an optical circuit with relatively fast attack and slow release timing. I must admit that fixed attack and releasing...
www.compressorpedalreviews.com www.compressorpedalreviews.com
 
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#46
scubaduba said:
The LAB would be my choice for sure.

Here's my reviews of both:

www.compressorpedalreviews.com

Universal Audio UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor Pedal Review

The UAFX 1176 compressor pedal is the second pedal in the new line from Universal Audio. I have previously reviewed the UAFX Max compressor which you can familiarize yourself with here. I had high hopes for that compressor. Three legendary limiters and an iconic tube preamp in a smallish pedal...
www.compressorpedalreviews.com www.compressorpedalreviews.com

www.compressorpedalreviews.com

Union Tube & Transistor Lab Compressor Review

It doesn't get much simpler than this. Just two knobs. One for volume/makeup gain (the left knob) and amount of compression (the right knob).The Union Tube & Transistor Lab is an optical circuit with relatively fast attack and slow release timing. I must admit that fixed attack and releasing...
www.compressorpedalreviews.com www.compressorpedalreviews.com
Click to expand...
I think you meant to post the UAFX LA-2A review, not the 1176, fyi. I read all three reviews closely, very helpful. I guess I'm wondering if the Lab at over $300 is significantly better than the digital UAFX at $129, especially given the added features and more compact footprint. Thanks for responding!
 
#48
projectapollo said:
Is the UAFX LA-2A comparable to the LAB. Did you prefer one over the other?
Click to expand...
I prefer the Lab, but it is quite a bit more expensive. It's also one where I wouldn't go with the cheaper version because I find the color changing LED to be very helpful feedback.

To your question of whether the extra cost is worth it: Is this a serious budget issue? If so, I'd say it's probably not worth it to spend double for 2.8% better sound. Obviously, I'm making up a number here and maybe even shooting high. I don't know. The Lab for sure is more of a luxury version of a very similar tool.
 
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#49
projectapollo said:
I think you meant to post the UAFX LA-2A review, not the 1176, fyi. I read all three reviews closely, very helpful. I guess I'm wondering if the Lab at over $300 is significantly better than the digital UAFX at $129, especially given the added features and more compact footprint. Thanks for responding!
Click to expand...

Bean counter LAB is only 199.00
 
#50
T McClure said:
I prefer the Lab, but it is quite a bit more expensive. It's also one where I wouldn't go with the cheaper version because I find the color changing LED to be very helpful feedback.

To your question of whether the extra cost is worth it: Is this a serious budget issue? If so, I'd say it's probably not worth it to spend double for 2.8% better sound. Obviously, I'm making up a number here and maybe even shooting high. I don't know. The Lab for sure is more of a luxury version of a very similar tool.
Click to expand...

Between these two, I think I would take the bean counter edition of the LAB. If money is the issue.
 
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#53
Ok TB crew, I spent two hours testing compressors! Shootout complete!

I tested the Tube & Transistor Union LAB, the new Walrus Audio Highpoint, and the UAFX 1176 Pedal.

I tested with a rock song, modern worship song, a jazz tune, and a pop song. I played my Fender Jazz with Seymor Duncan SBJ-1 pickups, neck at 100%, bridge at 80%, full tone on both pickups. I am using LaBella Ian Martin Allison strings (love these...they are a year old and still sound great!).

I tried all levels, ratios - 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, fast and slow attack/release. The full gamut. I tested in my home studio on headphones and with JBL 306P MkII active powered monitors with the JBL LSR310S Sub.

The clear (but close) winner in my ears...

The Union LAB

It sounds so good, feels best under my fingers, has the best tone, clarity, response, etc.

C216FD05-0C89-4DF3-AF07-60ED3CF06BB8_1_201_a.jpeg
 
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#54
rcmbass said:
Ok TB crew, I spent two hours testing compressors! Shootout complete!

I tested the Tube & Transistor Union LAB, the new Walrus Audio Highpoint, and the UAFX 1176 Pedal.

I tested with a rock song, modern worship song, a jazz tune, and a pop song. I played my Fender Jazz with Seymor Duncan SBJ-1 pickups, neck at 100%, bridge at 80%, full tone on both pickups. I am using LaBella Ian Martin Allison strings (love these...they are a year old and still sound great!).

I tried all levels, ratios - 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, fast and slow attack/release. The full gamut. I tested in my home studio on headphones and with JBL 306P MkII active powered monitors with the JBL LSR310S Sub.

The clear (but close) winner in my ears...

The Union LAB

It sounds so good, feels best under my fingers, has the best tone, clarity, response, etc.

View attachment 7486181
Click to expand...

Just the review I was looking for today Rick. I trust your ear! Walrus is doing some great stuff but that T&T is just perfection.
 
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#59
TaylorJ said:
Are you saying he needs both 😀
Click to expand...
That’s what I got from it! Lol

I just have a few flavor options. I love my Cali. I have the Compact and the current version. T&T is also a beast tho. Warmer and probably more tube focused. The guys from Bassed interviewed Shae Wooten from Elevation and he uses it. It’s probably more round and natural warm lows. Both have a place!
 
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#60
AObando2002 said:
That’s what I got from it! Lol

I just have a few flavor options. I love my Cali. I have the Compact and the current version. T&T is also a beast tho. Warmer and probably more tube focused. The guys from Bassed interviewed Shae Wooten from Elevation and he uses it. It’s probably more round and natural warm lows. Both have a place!
Click to expand...

I think Shae used the Cali for a long time? If he switched to the LAB it must have something special going on!
 
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