Free Software Friday is our regular Friday feature here at the dBs Music blog. We dig the depths of the music production and media webosphere and discover what downloadable plugin freebies are worth double clicking each week.
Earlier this year Analog Obsession released the LALA, their digital recreation of the LA-2A compressor which comes free of a price tag, but also stands tall next to its paid counterparts.
Unlike the more fun excursions into the plugin world a la SampleScience, software recreations of classic hardware are typically reserved for the likes of Universal Audio. There's no denying that UA's work is stellar, but that attention to detail comes with a price. LALA may not sport a detailed circuit-level emulation of the original, yet the LA-2A's iconic warm compression is definitely apparent on this free plugin.
Gain and Peak Reduction are the main parameters available to you with the LALA, just like the original LA-2A, but Analog Obsession has also added some extra features including a filter sidechain, external sidechain and mix knob.
From tinkering with the LALA ourselves, we were thoroughly impressed by it and from some comparisons against rival plugin emulations, it holds its own very well for a free plugin.
LALA is available to download for both Windows and macOS (32 / 64-bit, VST/VST3/AU) for free via the link below. Analog Obsession makes a host of free plugins available through Patreon so if you want to give back, you can subscribe for $5 a month.
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Analog Obsession LALA
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