VLA-FET

Vintage FET leveling amplifier

VLA-FET Frontplate
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50
(5.0 Stars / 217 Reviews)

Manual Download

VLA-FET Manual

Supported formats

AAX plugin support VST plugin support VST3 plugin support 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 excited to[nbsp]present the[nbsp]VLA-FET, inspired by one of the most famous and renowned leveling amplifiers in studio history. This plug-in allows for manipulation of the dynamics in the most intuitive but intense manner, thus giving you a creative tool with an outstanding variety of options, never being overly complex in handling. The super-fast attack and release times will shape out your signal more precisely and efficiently, for forceful drums, bass, and vocals.

Besides the classic parameters, we added some modern touch and functionality to the unit, to make you even more flexible. The Emulation is instigated by the classic LN Rev F, with Lundahl transformers and an op-amp input stage similar to the LA-4A, that have been formulated in detail, striving for an authentic vintage sound.

Features

Authentic circuit emulation

Our real-time 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,[nbsp]an additional sidechain, and audio path networks[nbsp]and filters have been faithfully modeled.

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

Customer Reviews

5
VLA-FET by Thomas Sofianopoulos (2025-10-08)

"Been using the FET comp on Vdcals and Bass since i got it and is excelent has that 1176 vibe. One of the better 1176 emulations outthere."

5
VLA-FET by Thomas Sofianopoulos (2025-10-08)

"Hello i been using VLA-FET for Bass and Vocals and is excelent it has that 1176 feeling one of the best emulations outhere."

5
VLA-FET by Thomas Sofianopoulos (2025-10-08)

"Hello i beeb using VLA-FET for a long time especially for Bass and Vocals and is excelent It gives that 1176 feeling one of the better emulations outhere."

5
Authentic 1176 Power with Modern Precision by Valerio (2025-10-08)

"The VLA-FET by Black Rooster Audio is one of the finest 1176 emulations available. It perfectly captures the punch, grit, and musical aggression of the classic hardware while adding modern control and smoothness. The transient response is fast and natural, making it shine on vocals, drums, and bass alike. Warm, detailed, and incredibly responsive"

5
Keep this FET in your rotation! by Mark Saxon (2025-04-15)

"While I won't make the claim "it's the best 1176", it has a fantastic sound and should be in your short list of go-to FETs. What I noticed is how clean the tone is so for that reason, I will throw it on a track and go head to head against my other FETs. I like how it sounds on a snare track given the slightly brighter tone but it still has some bite to it. Outstanding tonal balance and emulation."

5
Great FET Compressor with Character! by Francisco "Coco" Díaz (2025-01-29)

"The VLA-FET is a very good emulation of the 1176 (one of the best), but this is not the most important thing to me. Even it is modeling the Rev F, for me the sound is more like the Rev A "bluestripe" but with more presence and character. There is no digital harness, even when you push it. Actually, is the opposite: you have the nice 1176 distortion with the cream-color analog vibe. All this, with the extra modern features (1:1 ratio, sidechain Hipass and Mix) set this "emulation" well above other compressors with his one signature. I find my self using it in almost every production and mixes I work."

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