LA2A Compressor

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:46 pm

You guys are killing me! I just signed up for that forum.

Honestly I had just started looking into upgrading my compressor, and I look in here for suggestions. Now I have to build this thing. Should sound great with my SCA N72 preamps. I love the exchange of information we have here.

thousandshirts · Post by **thousandshirts** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:45 pm

AJW wrote:You guys are killing me! I just signed up for that forum.

Just wait. The insanity is only beginning. Every run of group buys....

If you think we're killing you, the Prodigy Pro board will definitely do the burial.

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:13 am

I know...I already have to figure out how I want to start. Point to point or use one of the available PCB for the job. I'm in the same boat as NYChief wondering which way to go, but it's nice to have choices like that.

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:15 pm

I was looking for the silk screened chassis on there and can't find it. The link above to the chassis thread doesn't work for me even though I'm now a lurking member of that forum. There are references to Purusha, but the website link in his profile is dead. I could use a Hammond chassis, but it would be nice if I could get one pre drilled, milled, and screened.

I'm thinking about ordering the board and T4b from DripElectronics. It's going to take me a while to get everything in hand because I'm still paying off a new (to me) Les Paul.

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:54 pm

Never mind...I found the thread about a certain vendors practices. I assume that is why I can't find the info I was looking for. I'll probably end up using the Hammond chassis.

thousandshirts · Post by **thousandshirts** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:49 pm

Yes. Some things are better left unsaid.

However, generic rackmount chassis will do fine. You can DIY your frontplate, or, alternatively, you can use the great laser etching service:

http://www.prodigy-eng.com/Services.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Gallery: http://www.prodigy-eng.com/Gallery.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:51 pm

I ordered the DRIP board and T4b. That laser service is actually in my neck of the woods so I'll probably order a Par-Metal chassis, and get the front plate to them.

I've got the latest BOM and will probably at least order the components to populate the board ASAP.

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 7:59 pm

Awesome! I ordered the Drip LA2A board too. But I didn't get a T4B yet. Just started looking over the BOM. I see where some Allen Bradleys and Sozos will fit nicely.

george

NitroLiq · Post by **NitroLiq** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:26 pm

AJW wrote:I was looking for the silk screened chassis on there and can't find it. There are references to Purusha, but the website link in his profile is dead.

It looks like he started up his own site/forum for selling chassis (Also saw the questionable practices thread mentioned but here's his info anyway):

http://www.diy-racked.com/forum/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:34 am

It's tempting to get a ready made case, but I'll see what I can do with Front Panel Express.

I just got my board and T4b in yesterday. The mail carrier folded the box in half to get it in my mailbox, but everything looks OK so far.

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 2:23 pm

It is interesting to see how old this post is. I just finished building the LA2A type tube/opto compressor. I used a Drip Electronics board (v3 when they are on v5 or something now). I probably had the board populated in 2009, but I was mucking around with creating a faceplate for it myself and gave up eventually. I later bought a Collective Cases case for it that doesn't have any copyrighted logo. It works great so far. I'd already built a 1176 rev.D compressor using a Hairball Audio kit so I've got two nice homebuilt options.

If I started the project today I would build a handwired version. The layout is available online, and now that I've built a couple of turret boards myself it looks deceptively easy.

Now I'm thinking about building a Pulltec type EQ. Maybe I'll have that done in another 4 years

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 2:37 pm

Awesome! I did finish my LA2A, also with a Drip board. I used a UA T4. It sounds great. I was lucky enough to send it to Phil Moore from Retro Instruments ( a friend of a friend) and he tweaked it. Great for vocals and bass, no question.

I bought the 1176 Rev D kit from hairball too, but haven't even started it yet. We are on about the same pace, finishing a compressor every 3-4 years. Lol.

George

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 2:57 pm

I got my T4 from Drip, but maybe I should get a UA to compare. I think it sounds great. It definitely has a familiar sound to it. As does the Hairball 1176. Both were surprisingly quiet as well.

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 2:27 pm

: la2a.jpg (106.03 KiB) Viewed 5694 times

I'm really happy with mine. Wish I had more time to use it though.

george

AJW · Post by **AJW** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 11:56 pm

Looks pretty familiar! Here's a low quality iPhone picture of mine:

: LA2A; LA2Acomp.jpg (155.66 KiB) Viewed 5654 times

I added the terminal blocks, and GND lifts to mine.

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