The VCL-4 is one of the best optical compressor plugins I've ever used. Although I've never owned the original Teletronix LA-4, which it emulates, I'm impressed by the sound it delivers. In many cases, I actually prefer the VCL-4 over my UAD LA-2A and LA-3A emulations, even though it's technically not accurate to compare them directly, as they emulate different hardware units.

The plugin is very easy to use. Most of the time, I simply dial in the compression amount and set the output volume to compensate for gain reduction. The outer ring on the compression knob controls the ratio, but I usually stick to a 2:1 ratio because it gives me just the right sound.

Notice that when you turn off the stereo button, the plugin functions as a dual-mono compressor, meaning it compresses the left and right channels independently. This can be particularly useful in scenarios where there are sharp dynamic changes in either the left or right channels, allowing for pleasing compression without sacrificing the overall width and fullness of the track.

However, the labeling of the stereo button might be a bit confusing at first, as it simply says “stereo” and “off,” which could be mistaken for mono or stereo operation. In reality, it toggles between stereo (linked) and dual-mono (unlinked) modes. The original LA-4 has the same designation, so it seems the plugin manufacturer aimed to replicate the original unit as closely as possible.

I use it on almost any source material that needs smooth and pleasant compression without sacrificing too much dynamics, whether it’s a vocal track, piano, synths, percussion, or anything else. It maintains a smooth and lively sound even at high gain reduction levels.

Overall, the VCL-4 stands out not just for its authentic sound but also for its versatility and ease of use, making it a valuable addition to any mixing setup.