VLA-3A

Vintage Leveling Amplifier

VLA-3A Frontplate
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Manual Download

VLA-3A Manual

Supported formats

AAX plugin support VST plugin supprt VST3 plugin supprt Audio Unit plugin support

Supported platforms (32/64 bit)

Requirements

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS (MAC)

  • Intel Core CPU or Apple SIlicon M+ Processor
  • 1GB of RAM
  • Mac OSX 10.10 or newer (M1/M2 supported)
  • VST, VST3, AU or AAX compatible host (64bit)
  • Display resolution of 1280x1024 pixels or more

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS (WINDOWS)

  • SSE2 compatible processor (Intel Core CPU recommended)
  • 1GB of RAM
  • Windows 7 or newer
  • VST, VST3 or AAX (x64) compatible host
  • Display resolution of 1280x1024 pixels or more
 

Overview

Black Rooster Audio is proud to present the VLA-3A plug-in, one of the most authentic native emulations of its analog brother from the 70s. This is our goto-compressor for vocals, but it also works incredibly well for bringing out the ambience on percussive material and helping to put some glue into your mixes.

Sound Samples

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Features

Authentic circuit emulation

Our realtime component based circuit simulation approach allows for authentically capturing the sound and feel of the analog unit as close as possible. All the crucial parts, including in- and output transformers, discrete sidechain and audio path networks, filters and of course the T4B cell have been faithfully modelled.

SSE2 optimized code

DSP operations are pipelined using the SSE2 instruction set. This ensures high performance operation despite very complex computations.

Auto-adjusted oversampling for maximum audio transparency

Aliasing artifacts are efficiently attenuated using a low latency linear phase Dolph-Chebyshev polyphase design. The oversampling rate is auto adjusted to your session's sample rate to save CPU while offering the most transparent sound possible.

HighDPI / Retina support

Our user interfaces support high pixel density on both Windows and Mac OS systems to present you with the most enjoyable user experience on high DPI displays. Please refer to your manual to learn whether your DAW is HighDPI capable if you're working on Windows.

Examples & Videos

Notes & additional info

LA-3A is a registered trademark of Universal Audio, Inc. Black Rooster Audio's products, specifically, the VLA-3A Vintage Leveling Amplifier, is developed by Black Rooster Audio, based on its own modeling techniques. Universal Audio, Inc. has neither endorsed nor sponsored Black Rooster Audio's products in any manner, nor licensed any intellectual property for use in this product.

Customer Reviews

5
by Marcelo (2025-10-09)

Exelente la3a

"Exelente versión del legendario compresor la3a"

5
by Dickley (2025-10-09)

Amazing

"Incredible plugin for its price."

4
by Karl (2025-10-09)

It captures the sound and feelings of the original 1970s analog unit.

"For me this is highly regarded for its ability to add thickness and forward presence to the midrange, making it a popular choice for my vocals, guitars, horns, and percussive material. It is also praised for its transparent control and ability to "glue" my mixes together. "

5
by Alex (2025-10-09)

(V)LA-3A is a classic on guitars...

"... but you can put it on lots of things. Even drums sometime."

5
by Baltimore Digital (2025-10-09)

Excellent All-Around Compressor Model

"Whenever I reach for a compressor plugin, the VLA-3A is in my top 5 choices. It's easy to use, works great or excellent on nearly every source (but it tends to work best on electric bass guitars, vocals and keyboards/pianos) and the price was more than fair. The geniuses behind this plugin deserve major kudos! Give VLA-3A a try...you won't be disappointed. Tip: Stack two VLA-3As, first one in Limit mode and second one in Compress mode. Set the first one until it's grabbing two much (usually just the peaks of a signal) then back off. Then set the second one to taste. I call it the 1-2-3A knock out punch!"

5
by Fabrizio (2025-10-09)

one of the best LA-3A Emulation

"This Plugin is just amazing. I’m using it always in my chain, especially on drums and guitars. Punchy but not harsh"

5
by Luis (2025-10-09)

my favorite plugin

"It's one of my favorite plugins. I love using it on almost all of my tracks. It's great for drums and parallel compression! I really enjoy it."

5
by Alexander (2025-10-08)

best compressor you'll never hear

"Lovely compressor, extremely transparant sounding, Compressing in moderate amounts, it is really not noticable at all. Which I like a lot ! Useful on just about anything. "

5
by Alexander (2025-10-08)

Best compressor you'll never hear

"This is a lovely compressor, extremely transparant. Compressing moderately it is not noticable at all, apart from adding a touch of warmth. Which I love very much ! Useful on just about anything. "

5
by Sarj (2025-10-08)

A very good LA-3A emulation

"I use the VLA-3A a lot on bass and electric guitars, drums, etc. and it does it's job very well! Tight, transparent compression with that unmistakable LA-3A sound. Highly recommended!"

5
by Noryk (2025-10-08)

Sounds Great On Everything!

"It just sounds great on everything. I love it on electric guitar especially. It tightens everything up in a very musical way. It's on my plugin presets for electric guitar, acoustic guitar and some drums as well. But I haven't put it on a source yet that it doesnt sound good on. Highly Reccomend!"

5
by Petra Wewra (2025-10-08)

Great on guitars

"What I love most about the VLA-3A is its effortless character. It gently tames dynamics without crushing the life out of the performance. The tone feels round, creamy, and slightly colored. On vocals, it adds a silky smoothness and a sense of intimacy, while on guitars it enhances body and consistency, giving that subtle “analog vibe” that helps tracks sit perfectly in the mix."

5
by Gwenael Josset (2025-10-08)

The best ?

"Yes, because it is the most versatile to go fast and well in all situations!! Almost as fast as an 1176, it manages to tame transients. Not as colorful as an LA2A, nor a Vari-mu but just as effective in smoothing everything out, also giving it a soft and warm character."

5
by bloco (2025-10-08)

Great compressor

"Really great emulation on a classic, I'd say it's probably the best one I ever tried. I like it on almost everything and I feel like you can't go wrong with this one. "

5
by antonio stramaglia (2025-10-08)

to tame with transparency and without artifacts

"when i want to tame an acoustic guitar my goto compressor is the la-3a...my preferred emulation is this one, the vla-3a because warranty transparency without any artifacts"

5
by Walter Dellinger (2025-10-09)

Producer/Engineer

"I have some other emulations. This one does as much or than Waves or UAD. I like this on guitars and bass and does a great job on vocals. Great work Rooster guys...."

4
by Lamont (2025-10-09)

Compression

"I like this as a different flavor from my other LA 3A "

4
by HIDEMASA (2025-10-09)

Merits and Demerits

"Merits Simple and Intuitive Operation: Like the original LA-3A, it has few knobs, making it easy for compressor beginners to use. You can get a great sound quickly without dealing with complex settings. High Versatility: It's a highly versatile compressor that's worth trying on a wide range of sources, including vocals, guitars, bass, drums, and bus tracks. Demerits Higher CPU Load Limited Sonic Flexibility "

5
by Giselle Chacon (2025-01-29)

Great LA-3A place anything right where you want it

"A very transparent compressor great for guitars and anything you want to anchor in place in the mix. Set and forget, you'll never hear it working."

5
by Greg Savage (2025-01-29)

Easily One Of The Best Sounding 3A Emulations

"I use the VLA-3A for just about everything. Leveling sounds, processing bass, Strings, Kick Drums (yes), Brass.... I love it!"

4
by MazQ (2025-01-29)

Good for tighten sound

"This is my first choice of LA-3A. It naturally reshape the sound remain their transparency without any artifacts as its original discrete structure. One thing I feel better on this plugin is to add gain compensation feature which is not included on original gear."

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Industry Reviews

Joe Barresi

Joe Barresi

Producer/Mixer/Engineer QOTSA, Tool, Slipknot, Bad Religion, Beatsteaks JoeBarresi.com

"These 2 compressor plugins (the VLA-2A and 3A) are really, really good—very smooth, and they react a lot like the original hardware versions. In fact, I like the limiter part better than most….A really nice addition to the arsenal of compressor plugins out there."

Talio Sánchez

Talio Sánchez

Mixer/Engineer taliosanchezmixing.com

"I've always loved the hardware on vocals, bass, guitars and pretty much everything that needs well balanced dynamics and a thick tone. The VLA-3A does justice to all this, especially on how it pushes the mid-range forward adding thickness which is my favorite characteristic of this processor. After all these years without the hardware I'm happy to have the VLA-3A."

Simon Hildenbrand

Simon Hildenbrand

Mixer/Engineer zimmerli SOUNDS

"You can throw almost anything at this plug-in. The VLA-3A will grab it, tighten it up and bring it to the front. It’s amazing on vocals, guitars, horns and percussion. This compressor will be definitely my go-to for everything that needs to groove."