THIS IS GONNA MAKE SOME PEOPLE ANGRY!!! - KLARK TEKNIK KT-2A

Summary

In this video, the Clark Technic KT2A compressor is reviewed as a budget alternative to the renowned Teletronics LA2A. Despite its lower price point, the KT2A offers a surprisingly close emulation, featuring three tubes for its distinct sound. The reviewer, having used the original LA2A extensively, argues that the KT2A's performance in blind tests would be indistinguishable from the original. The video also touches on the debate over virtual alternatives and the value of analog hardware, concluding that the KT2A is a worthy, affordable option for those seeking the classic LA2A sound on vocals.

Takeaways

• 🎛️ The KT2A from Clark Technic is a clone of the iconic Teletronix LA-2A compressor, which is renowned for its warm, analog vocal compression.
• 💰 The KT2A is priced at around £300, making it significantly more affordable than the original LA-2A, which costs around £3,500.
• 🔧 While the KT2A is much cheaper, it compromises on build quality with more budget-friendly components, though it still includes three tubes that contribute to its sound.
• 🎙️ The KT2A is primarily used for vocals, providing a similar tonal character to the original LA-2A, which is known for its signature warmth.
• 🛠️ The controls on the KT2A are minimal, featuring only output gain, peak reduction, and a pre-emphasis control that adjusts the side chain’s response to high frequencies.
• 💻 There are various plugin alternatives to the LA-2A, with Universal Audio offering one of the most popular, though they come at a higher cost and often require dedicated hardware or subscriptions.
• 🎧 The reviewer argues that the sound difference between the KT2A and the original LA-2A is minimal and likely indistinguishable in a blind test, especially since no two LA-2As sound exactly alike.
• 📈 The KT2A has held up well over four years of use, demonstrating reasonable durability despite its budget build quality.
• 🔊 The KT2A maintains some of the analog ‘noise’ characteristic of vintage hardware, which can add to its charm for those seeking an authentic analog sound.
• 👍 Overall, the reviewer believes the KT2A offers excellent value for those familiar with the LA-2A’s sound, providing a close approximation at a fraction of the cost.

Q & A

What is the Clark Technic KT2A?

The Clark Technic KT2A is a hardware compressor that is a version or clone of the famous Teletronics LA2A, known for its use of valves and opto-compressor design.

What is the LA2A known for in the audio industry?

The LA2A is renowned as one of the most famous vocal compressors, appreciated for its ability to bring out 'magic' in audio recordings, and has been in use since the 1960s.

Who owns Clark Technic?

Clark Technic was bought by Music Group, which also owns other well-known brands in the audio industry.

How does the price of the Clark Technic KT2A compare to the original LA2A?

The Clark Technic KT2A is significantly more affordable, priced at around 300 pounds, compared to the original LA2A which costs much more.

What are the main differences between the Clark Technic KT2A and the original LA2A?

While the KT2A uses three tubes to achieve its sound, the rest of its components are not of the same quality as the original LA2A, and it is not hand-built like the LA2A.

What is the build quality of the Clark Technic KT2A?

The build quality of the KT2A is solid, with nice knobs and decent sockets, and it has proven to be durable over several years of use.

What are the main controls on the Clark Technic KT2A?

The KT2A has basic controls including output gain, peak reduction, and a pre-emphasis control that is adjusted with a screwdriver rather than a knob.

How does the Clark Technic KT2A perform on vocals?

The KT2A is praised for its performance on vocals, bringing a similar 'magic' to recordings as the LA2A, despite being a more affordable alternative.

What are some virtual alternatives to the Clark Technic KT2A?

There are several virtual alternatives, including those made by Universal Audio, which require either their hardware or a subscription for their native plugins.

What was the outcome of the online argument regarding the Clark Technic KT2A's sound quality?

The argument concluded that the KT2A is very close in sound to the LA2A, and that it would be challenging to differentiate between the two in a blind test.

What is the reviewer's stance on the value of the Clark Technic KT2A compared to the LA2A?

The reviewer believes the KT2A offers great value for its price, especially for those who appreciate the sound of the LA2A but are looking for a more affordable option.

Outlines

00:00

🎛️ Clark Technic KT2A Compressor Review

The script discusses the Clark Technic KT2A, a controversial and affordable compressor that is a version of the renowned Teletronics LA2A. Known for its use in vocals, the LA2A is famous for its valve-based opto-compression. The KT2A, owned by Music Group, offers a similar sound for a fraction of the cost, using three tubes for its character but with cheaper components. Despite its lower price, the reviewer finds it to be a solid piece of hardware with a nice build quality, having used it for three to four years without issues. The control is limited, mainly focusing on output gain and peak reduction, with a pre-emphasis control that adjusts how it responds to high frequencies. The reviewer also mentions the online debate about the KT2A's similarity to the LA2A, stating that in a blind test, the differences are not easily discernible. They conclude that the KT2A is a good alternative for those who can't afford the original LA2A, appreciating its sound on vocals and its analog character.

05:01

🎵 Music Break

This paragraph is a short interlude with music, serving as a transition or pause in the video script. It does not contain any spoken content or dialogue, simply providing a musical break for the audience.

Keywords

💡Clark Technic KT2A

The Clark Technic KT2A is a hardware compressor that is a version or clone of the famous LA2A. It is part of the video's theme as it represents a more affordable alternative to traditional, high-end compressors. The script discusses its controversial nature due to its price point and component quality compared to the original LA2A.

💡LA2A

The LA2A, or Teletronics LA2A, is a renowned valve (or tube) opto compressor, known for its use in professional audio settings, particularly for vocals. It is the inspiration for the Clark Technic KT2A. The script mentions its legendary status and how it has been used since the 1960s, setting a benchmark for the KT2A to be compared against.

💡Compressor

A compressor in audio engineering is a device that reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses the functionality and impact of the KT2A as a compressor on audio signals, particularly vocals.

💡Music Group

Music Group is the company that acquired Clark Technic. The script mentions this acquisition as part of the background information on how Clark Technic managed to produce the KT2A at a lower cost.

💡Valve/Tube

Valves, also known as tubes, are components in some audio hardware that can affect the sound quality. The script refers to the KT2A having three different tubes, which contribute to its sound, distinguishing it from solid-state alternatives.

💡Opto Compressor

An opto compressor is a type of compressor that uses a light-dependent resistor (LDR) to control gain reduction. The LA2A and by extension the KT2A, are opto compressors. The script discusses this as a key feature of the devices being reviewed.

💡Pre-emphasis Control

Pre-emphasis control adjusts the response of a compressor to high-frequency content. The script mentions this feature of the KT2A, noting that it does not have a dedicated knob but can be adjusted manually, affecting how the compressor reacts to high-end frequencies.

💡Price Point

The price point of the KT2A is a significant aspect of the video's discussion, as it is positioned as an affordable alternative to more expensive hardware. The script contrasts the KT2A's £300 price with the much higher cost of the original LA2A.

💡Solid State

Solid state refers to electronic components that do not contain valves or tubes. The script mentions that the KT2A, unlike the original LA2A, is solid state, indicating a difference in construction and potentially sound quality.

💡Virtual Alternatives

Virtual alternatives refer to software plugins that emulate hardware compressors. The script discusses these as competition to the KT2A, mentioning the cost of entry and the quality of emulation as factors for consideration.

💡Blind Test

A blind test in the context of the script refers to an evaluation where the tester does not know which specific piece of hardware or software is being used. The script uses the concept of a blind test to argue the similarity in sound between the KT2A and the original LA2A.

Highlights

Introduction to Clark Technic KT2A, a controversial hardware compressor.

Comparison of KT2A to the legendary Teletronics LA2A, a renowned vocal compressor.

Clark Technic's acquisition by Music Group, which also owns other audio equipment brands.

The KT2A's affordability at 300 pounds, contrasting with the original LA2A's higher price point.

Description of the KT2A's construction, including three valves or tubes for its sound signature.

The KT2A's solid-state components and their impact on the overall sound quality.

Aesthetic and build quality of the KT2A, including its knobs and sockets.

Durability of the KT2A, with the presenter having used it for three to four years without issues.

The KT2A's limited controls, focusing mainly on output gain and peak reduction.

Discussion of the KT2A's pre-emphasis control and its function as a sidechain filter.

Comparison of the KT2A to virtual alternatives, including Universal Audio's offerings.

The presenter's online debate about the KT2A's similarity to the original LA2A.

Challenge to blind test the KT2A against the LA2A, questioning the ability to distinguish between them.

Cost-benefit analysis of choosing the KT2A over the more expensive LA2A.

The presenter's personal preference for the KT2A's sound on vocals and its continued use in his work.

Introduction of a new series comparing hardware compressors to virtual alternatives.

Encouragement for viewers to subscribe and engage with the presenter's content.

Transcripts

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um but at a three-piece Suite aren't we

that's next sorry three piece week next

week we're looking at uh we're looking

at the Clark Technic kt2a

controversial very controversial take us

through it

um so like we've said previously we are

looking at Hardware which is of a

similar price to plugins that's kind of

the plan here

and the kt2a from Clark Technic is

basically uh a clone or a version of the

very famous

la2a which

um the teletronics la2a

is a world renowned the most famous

probably vocal compressor out there it

uses valves it's an opto compressor

um it's it's a wonderful thing I've used

the real one a lot and I love it and it

doesn't work on every single thing you

put through it but every now and again

it brings out the magic and that's why

they've been around since the 60s and

still get used all the time they are

beautiful sound compressors and so what

Clark Technic done I've done is well

what what Clark Technic did was they get

they got bought by music group who own

who also on burial who other people do

lots of this sort of stuff they do lots

of this kind of stuff they do it pretty

well I'm not I'm yeah when I'm not a

music star but actually I quite like

that no yeah I'm safe yeah you know I

take everything at face value

um yeah they've somehow made a way to

make one of these for 300 quid now

clearly if you take this apart the

components in there are not of the

quality that the original la2a would be

at it's just not it's not hand built

this is going to be solid state there

are three valves in it or tubes for the

Americans out here there are actually

three different tubes in this which give

it its sound

um but the rest of it is is cheaply put

together but in a nice package the

actual the hardware can set right there

it feels nice the knobs are nice the

sockets are decent it you know I've had

it three or four years it's solid it's

not gone right I'm also a cheap bit of

hardware and a good package with a good

knob Sean so I I can relate to the the

KT there you go yeah so so what do you

use it for potentially but potentially

what do you use it for mostly uh just

smokers just smoke just vocals it's

again a bit like the la3a there's

there's very little control you've

basically got you know you oh output

gain Peak reduction that's your lot

there's also a pre-emphasis control

which which uh weirdly doesn't have a

knob you can turn it with your hand but

you're supposed to be with a screwdriver

it's basically a side chain

um it's it's how it responds to the high

end that's what changes cool so

um plugging in Alternatives uh virtual

Alternatives I mean quite a lot there

are quite a lot um universal audio

themselves make the you know the UA one

any idea what the

challenges on that um I don't I mean

they're quite expensive you have to buy

their Hardware or now they do the native

stuff so you have to get a subscription

it's not cheap to get into that whole

thing other people make versions of this

um I got into quite a decent online

argument about this it's not like you

sure a while ago well just someone was

someone who hadn't heard someone was

wrong so you had to tell them well

basically

and somebody hadn't used it was was busy

telling everybody that it didn't sound

anything like the real one and anyone

could tell and from someone that used

the real one a lot and uses this a lot

I'll tell you right now if you think

that you can sit there with a blindfold

on and I say right this is the la2a this

is the kt2a you tell me which is which

it ain't gonna happen they are that

close I'm not saying it's identical but

no two La two ways are the same no two

11 76ers are the same no two pieces of

old analog hardware sound the same so if

you think you can tell the difference

between this and a real one blind test I

just don't believe you and that's you

told that is YouTube okay and and from

that point of view do you want to pay

three and a half grand for the real one

or do you want to pay 300 pound for this

one all right it might not last forever

four years still going

but you know I like it it's

it's got the noise of the real world

there's a bit of a hiss there it's you

know it's not a completely clean thing

it's analog

um but I think it sounds beautiful on

vocals and I'll still use it a lot

so in our new series of pieces of

Hardware that are similar price or at

least double the price of uh something

similar virtual little uh yeah

replication sure

uh clock Technic 2A kt2a is it no I

don't think it's at all I think if

you know what the original sounds like

you will appreciate this

um yeah I I don't know body try and tell

him different all right but do subscribe

do subscribe and hit the notification

and then when I'm starting another

online flame War you can be there and

watch it

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