In the market for an LA-3A.

Are there any comparisons between the V3A and the Serpent Chimera, JLM 500, and/or GAP COMP3A?

Hey there! ;-)

We haven't personally compared the V3A to the above units - but during development we did compare it extensively against two different vintage LA3A's as well as a newer UA Reissue LA3A.

The V3A is essentially identical to the vintage benchmark units and honestly, closer to an original vintage unit than the UA Reissue LA3A was - although I must admit all 4 units are GREAT.

Sign up for our newsletter via the website - I'm JUST about to send an e-mail blast out that may help sway your decision to the V3A

I own four channels of vintage LA3A -- two Urei-branded units, and two Teletronix-branded units. Next time Audioscape releases their rack mount 3A knockoff, I hope to buy one, at which point I'll compare to my vintage units. Most likely it'll be my Tele units, cuz those are what I keep in my personal setup; the Ureis live at my studio and would be slightly less accessible. That'll be a more interesting comparison anyhow, cuz i prefer my Teles to the Ureis. If the Audioscape compares well to the former, that's a mighty high compliment in my book.

Anywho, I'll try to make an effort to report back here. Hopefully with some audio files.

And, if the Audioscapes compare favorably, the Teles are gonna hit the resale market. The price on vintage 3As has gotten so insanely high that it's sorta difficult to justify having four channels of them. I have high hopes for the AudioScape version, especially after speaking to my pal Brad over at Louder Than Liftoff (who provides the AS 3A's chassis).

Thanks so much man!!! We should have more D3A's VERY soon!!! ;-)

I'd LOVE to hear a comparison of your Tele branded units as that is the only version I couldn't get my hands on to do a direct comparison with ;-)

Super cool man!! Thanks again!!

I have a review coming next week on my YouTube Channel, all I can say for now, is the thing is very, very good! Makes tracks sound huge, gives a round warmness to the tone, takes off any harsh transients in a good way, you can also adjust the how it compresses higher frequencies. Worth more than they are charging for sure.

Studio Talk with Barry Johns on YouTube.

I just recently purchased a pair after being introduced through your review. They just came in, got them in my rack and wow. Really amazing little units and super heavy. Probably the heaviest 500 unit module I have. Aesthetics are beautiful as is the sound and compression. Still running thru it’s paces but so far so good. One tip for anyone interested in the linking function, I got it to link via a Rupert Neve Designs R10 rack. Not sure about other racks but with The little jumper things that come with the RND are key.

Happy I could help!

Wanted to come on and give kudos to Audioscape. I'm not in a situation where I can put it up against an OG. But, that aside, this fkn thing kicks butt. I'm in the midsts of mixing a holiday release, and I sent the artist the lead vocal through a Neve, and one through the Audioscape. It was a blind listening test, and she picked the Audioscape. The Neve sounded great and she actually was loving it. But, after hearing the 3A, she was sold, as I was. I don't know, might have to grab another one of these down the road.

The V3A and D3A are definitely something special! We should have the DA-3A out in December as well, if all goes right.

-Trevor

Trigger pulled!
It was on my mind so much that waiting for anything better than $50 off of a new one was fast-becoming an exercise in futility

Can hardly wait to use this in conjunction with my AS78 or BLA Bluey-500 on vox, guitar, and percussion.
If this one passes muster I'll be getting another to match and ship it back to do so if need be. Likely the Optocomp also. The so-called 'LA' in my LA-610 is a heavy-handed "goes !"-machine, and not a viable substitute vs a decent plugin, even.

Really happy with my pair of V3A's. They offer a great mid bump for driven guitars.

Question to Audioscape -- any sonic benefits to the rack version vs 500 series?

The V3A we have sounds nothing alike the D3A we also have. The former pushes the mids rather extremely and loses lows while the latter sounds fairly neutral (in a good way). I think maybe our V3A isn't up to spec, but I kinda like it as a crunch and dirt unit for dull audio.

I have 2 V3a's and am curious if it's possible to calibrate them?

Sure it is. What do you want, calibrate them both to the same gain reduction and unity?