I looked into it fairly recently, and was told the wait is very very long, like maybe 2025 long.

EDIT: For some reason the word "used" flew under the radar when I read your post. Not really interested in used gear at the moment, but thanks.

I feel you and agree with your points. I thought the OP really wanted one but thought it too much. He replied and doesn’t want used. I can understand that.

Right on. Well I hope you find something you really love and it works out well for you

I just picked one up recently for $3500 used (got offered deal on the spot and had to pull trigger) but not for tracking but as one of a couple of mix options for lead vocals (Just didn't care for the plug in). At the very last minute I was told the price went up to $3900 (since they found someone willing to that right after me) and I said nope (not interested in paying $4k for a CL1B), don't want it sell it to them...i'm good. But because i responded first, they felt obligated to stick to the original asking price.

That’s nice they honored that. I too like it for mixing on things I didn’t track with it. If I remember correctly you were one of the few people who spoke of the CL1A, as you had one in the past, and If I remember you said there wasn’t a noticeable diff between the “A” and “B” ones. If anything I think you said you preferred the “B” for a few things. I’ve only ever used the “A” and I do find it a very good tracking comp for many things but it is great to mix with as well

Sweetwater sells them for 3,950 brand new, they do say there's a wait time. I see some really insane prices for these that are just nuts. FWIW I got mine I think around 2006 or so from Sonic Circus, at the time they had a CL1A they were offering for 1,200, I called as soon as I got the email, and the sales person I spoke to said he was sorry but they had just sold it, then said hold on, he put me on hold and 2 minutes later said "how about I sell you a CL1b for the same price . I immediately gave him my credit card. I've owned it ever since.

I started putting the ELOP+ through the paces. Initial thoughts are it's very similar to an La-2a , no big surprise there, but it is more open sounding. The tone is classy, adding a nice finish to the vocal I was using. I can't off-hand think of a plugin that would do what this does tonally speaking. Dynamically it leans transparent at nearly all levels of gain reduction. I tried running one side into the other, compressing on one side and limiting on the other, and the tone wasn't at all over the top, as well as the dynamics still sounding out of the way, but very effective. It's built like a tank, although if you're hard on buttons, you'll want to take it easy on this. The rotary knobs have the perfect level of resistance. Perhaps most importantly, I got to a useful setting in under a minute. This will pair really well with an 1176 or Distressor.

Do you meant an la2a above (it’s similar to an… ?)

Are you getting also the buzz in to shoot it out against the elop+?

Just curious..
Thanks!

Good luck with your search!



Cheu

For some strange reason the site deleted the la-2a?? But yes, exactly.

I'm going to try and get one, we'll see?? I am somewhat familiar with it, I'm sure they sound quite different, so there's the subjectivity factor to consider. But, the Buzz will certainly be more flexible. Will it be as classic in terms of vibe as the ELOP...I don't know?

There was a recall for the SPL Channel One Mk3 ?

Documenting the settings.

Would a warm cl1b clone, be a better option than a lindell lin2a?

If you want good compression on the way in on the cheap look into quad VCAs/ch BSS DPR402 and 404.

DPR404 (4 channels) went for 2000$ back in the 90s and they go very cheap today.

If a single channel would be in a 2 rack unit with a big VU meter and big knobs they would seasily sell 2000$.

Used LA-2A is in your budget. I would prefer something with attack and release like a CL1B or a TLA-100A. Also, consider the Crane Song Trekker. Wonderful and flexible compressor.

As others have said, maybe a combo of an option and a FET would work great. You could easily get that from Audioscape in your budget and have room for their Pultec clone to boot.

I love the Chandler RSA124 for mixing (or crushing a room mic during tracking) but I personally wouldn’t want to use it for something like vocal tracking.

Recently got an Audioscape Opto. It is amazing for tracking vocals. I never messed with real gear before this, only KT and plugins.

However, after shooting some out, the RS124 has that sound I would love to obtain in a mix. In your opinion, would I get way more mileage out of picking up AS 76F to pair with my Opto? or just buy the RS124 since I know that’s a character I love? I find myself still needing to add compression with plugins after tracking. Any input is appreciated.

The RS124 does some really cool stuff, adding color. Fun for parallel compression on vocals, fun as a bass compressor, or to squash some drums.

I mainly like using a tracking comp so the singer can hear themself a bit more “finished” sounding, and an opto is forgiving enough to not ruin anything on the way in.

If you pick up the RS124 at a fair used price, I’d try that first. That way, you can always get your money back out and try an 1176 type. I personally find plugs cover FET and VCA ground really well. It’s tube stuff or unique color stuff where I still like outboard.

Thanks for your input, but if you read my post I wasn't interested in used gear or the lesser pricey clones for this purchase, and more so looking for something that perhaps has flown under my radar or haven't used. Of course you can't read my mind and know what I have or haven't owned or used, so I mean what I say with all due respect.

A good friend and colleague was raving about the Manley Elop+. He'd been engineering at the Power Station and Avatar since the 80s. So I ended up demoing it, and it ended up fitting well with what I already own. To me it's a more pristine sounding La2a-ish kind of unit. Great headroom and low noise. Not really talking about the box tone because to me that's totally subjective. The added ratio and internal side chain made it very attractive, and to have two comps under one roof makes it big bang for the buck, but with no compromise in quality.

I think about buying a very good used tla-100 for 1600€. Is this a good price and a good tracking comp for faster rap vocals?

I remember using these for mixes like 9 million years ago, and thought they held their own against the La2a's and Tube-Tech gear I was using. Just be really careful with the used market, you don't always know what you're getting. I just had a bad experience with a 33609, had to end up returning it, and it took nearly 3 weeks to resolve. As for Rap vocals, never used them for that, so maybe someone else will chime in. I used to use them on singers and bass.

Planning on a Chandler rs 660 for tracking and mixing - while still considering - the rs1234, Retro 176 or The Acme La2a. Any feedback or insights would be appreciated. Cheers.

The Stam SA-23A+ is a LA-3A, a faster LA-2A, a slower LA-2A, and an LA-4 in a single unit.

Not sure what you consider “budget” (or why you must spend a certain amount if it’s not for sonic/performance upgrade), but the 23A+ is a helluva piece of kit.

Downside is that, like with all Stam, there will be a wait.

Wow that’s a great piece and price point. I should have mentioned - the rs 660 / Retro 176 questioning is more my redd 47 chain. For my Soyuz looking at and something from the LA- 1176 lineage.