ThrillseekerLA
Key Features
- Optical compression engine modeled after the LA-2A leveling amplifier with advanced opto cell behavior and program-dependent envelope timing
- Stateful Saturation 2.0 technology delivering non-linear harmonic coloration with memory, producing analog warmth without intermodulation artifacts
- Switchable tube, loudness, and interstage harmonic coloring options that add character from subtle warmth to vibrant saturation
- Two compression ratios (3:1 and 10:1) covering gentle peak taming through to brick-wall limiting
- Dry/wet mix control for parallel compression, letting you blend compressed and uncompressed signals to preserve transient detail
- Sidechain filtering with a custom high-pass filter adjustable from 20 to 500 Hz to prevent low frequencies from triggering excessive gain reduction
- External sidechain support and switchable input/gain reduction/output metering for precise monitoring during mixing
Description
ThrillseekerLA by Variety Of Sound is an optical stereo compressor inspired by the legendary LA-2A leveling amplifier. It combines smooth, program-dependent gain reduction with a non-linear amplifier stage built on Variety Of Sound's proprietary Stateful Saturation technology, delivering creamy analog-style coloration alongside transparent dynamics control.
The mkII update, released ten years after the original, introduced a completely redesigned compression engine with an advanced opto cell model. Two ratio settings are available: 3:1 for gentle peak taming and 10:1 for limiting duties, while attack and release controls allow fine-tuning from near-instantaneous response to slow, musical breathing.
A set of coloring options including tube, loudness, and interstage harmonics lets you dial in anything from subtle warmth to vibrant tonal character. These can be switched off entirely for clean, uncolored compression, or blended via the dry/wet control for parallel processing.
The compressor excels at taming unruly transients without losing the integrity of the source material. Guitars, synths, and vocals respond particularly well, gaining depth and warmth while the pick attack or sibilance is handled effortlessly by the program-dependent envelope.
ThrillseekerLA runs as a 32-bit and 64-bit VST plugin on Windows. The download is currently hosted on the Variety Of Sound website.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does ThrillseekerLA compare to the hardware LA-2A?
ThrillseekerLA shares the optical compression character of the LA-2A, with smooth program-dependent gain reduction. However, it adds features not found on the original hardware, including selectable attack and release controls, two compression ratios, sidechain filtering, and multiple harmonic coloring modes.
What are the coloring options and how do they affect the sound?
The plugin offers tube, loudness, and interstage harmonic modes that add different flavors of saturation to the compressed signal. These provide warmth and tonal richness without being overbearing, and all three can be switched off entirely if you want transparent compression with no added harmonics.
Is ThrillseekerLA suitable for mix bus processing?
Yes. The plugin is specifically optimized for gentle mix bus coloring, where its optical compression glues tracks together while enhancing stereo depth and dimension. The dry/wet control also makes it easy to set up parallel compression on the master bus.
Why does the download page say currently not available?
Variety Of Sound periodically takes plugins offline for maintenance or updates. Check the developer's WordPress site and downloads page for the latest availability. The mkII version was last updated in December 2022 with 64-bit support and Stateful Saturation 2.0.
