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Bugfix update e for this classic opto compressor
We’ve just released an exciting update for HoRNet HA2A, our modern take on a classic opto studio compressor. This plugin is a labor of love, meticulously designed to bring the legendary sound of a well-known hardware unit into your DAW, while enhancing it with modern features for today’s producers and engineers.
At its core, HoRNet HA2A faithfully recreates the behavior of a renowned optical compressor, historically praised for its musical response and smooth dynamic control. The original hardware was built around a photoresistor paired with an electroluminescent panel, a unique combo that created a distinctive compression character. Our team carefully analyzed a real unit, measuring everything from its transfer function to its attack and release curves. These measurements formed the backbone of the digital model implemented in HA2A.
The result? An incredibly authentic sound, rich in the nuances that made the original famous. Whether you’re compressing vocals, bass, or drums, HA2A delivers the same warm, transparent response you’d expect from the analog version — now with the flexibility of a plugin.
But we didn’t stop at emulation. While preserving the sound of the tubes and transformers that define the original’s character, we’ve also pushed HA2A into the 21st century. The plugin comes loaded with a series of modern enhancements aimed at improving usability, precision, and workflow.
Among the new additions are input and output VU meters, giving you precise visual feedback. We’ve also implemented auto input gain with a target level of up to 6VU, ensuring consistent input levels across sessions. This is particularly helpful for maintaining a reliable gain staging process, especially in complex mixes.
Another standout feature is the automatic makeup gain, which compensates for gain reduction without altering the overall loudness of your mix. You also get an automatic compression setting with peak reduction targeting, letting the plugin intelligently adjust its behavior to your material.
For even more flexibility, HA2A includes independent dry and wet controls, making it easy to dial in parallel compression — a technique beloved for its ability to add punch without squashing transients. Additionally, we’ve added mode selection, allowing you to work in stereo, dual mono, mid, or side modes depending on your processing needs.
Want just the warmth without the compression? That’s possible too. HA2A includes a bypass button, integrated within the analog emulation, so you can use it purely as a tube saturator, injecting rich harmonic content into any track or mix bus.
To capture the full sonic signature of the hardware, we embedded our analog emulation technology. This models the input transformer, tube amplifier, and output transformer, accurately simulating the non-linear behavior that gives vintage gear its magic. Still, we understand that not every session calls for analog warmth. So if you’re after a clean, transparent sound, you can simply disable the analog emulation and enjoy the pristine response of a modern digital tool.
Quality is always a priority at HoRNet. That’s why HA2A incorporates intelligent oversampling. Unlike static oversampling settings, HA2A automatically adjusts its oversampling based on your current sample rate, maximizing audio quality without taxing your CPU — up to 192kHz.
The plugin’s user interface is also designed with modern needs in mind. Built using a vectorial and hardware-accelerated engine, it’s fully resizable and maintains crystal-clear visuals on any screen, from small laptops to 4K studio monitors.
The latest v1.1.2 update focuses on performance and stability. Specifically, it addresses an initialization issue in Logic Pro on Apple Silicon machines, ensuring seamless integration for macOS users working with the latest Apple hardware.
This update is completely free for current owners of HA2A. You can download it through our HoRNet DoIn manager or directly from the user area on our website.
With this update, HoRNet HA2A becomes more than just a vintage compressor emulation. It’s a powerful hybrid tool that gives you the authentic analog warmth of a legendary opto unit, paired with the precision and flexibility of a modern plugin. Whether you’re a fan of analog gear or a producer seeking intuitive tools, HA2A is designed to fit seamlessly into your workflow — and elevate your mixes.
i have the demo it works great as it was designed, try it we need to stop buying plugins because of how they look, this plugin works and sounds very colorful buy it