HoRNet releases HA2A, a classic compressor with modern tools

We are excited to announce the release of the new HA2A, a classic opto compressor emulation that brings this legendary studio standard into the 21st century. The HA2A takes inspiration from one of the most revered analog compressors, known for its smooth compression, musicality, and versatility. Now, thanks to HoRNet, it has been meticulously recreated with modern features to enhance your workflow and fit perfectly into today’s music production environment.

The original hardware of the LA-2A, the compressor that the HA2A emulates, has been a staple in countless studios for decades. Its smooth, transparent compression has made it a go-to choice for engineers and producers working with vocals, drums, bass, and many other instruments. The HA2A faithfully recreates the sound of this iconic compressor while adding many modern enhancements that are essential for today’s music production needs.

One of the most exciting aspects of the HA2A is its ability to replicate the analog warmth and character of the original hardware. This plugin maintains the sonic integrity of the original while offering additional control over its parameters. Whether you’re looking for subtle compression or more aggressive dynamics processing, the HA2A provides an array of features that can adapt to a wide range of mixing and mastering scenarios.

One of the standout features of the HA2A is its input and output VU Meter, which accurately reflects the levels of both input and output signals. This is an essential tool for anyone who needs to keep track of their levels while applying compression. The meter ensures you can visually monitor the signal flow, helping you make precise adjustments to the input and output gain settings.

The HA2A also includes automatic input gain adjustment, a feature that simplifies the compression process. The plugin automatically adjusts the input gain to ensure optimal compression without the need for manual tweaking. This is particularly useful when working with varying signal levels or when you’re in a hurry to achieve the perfect sound. In addition to this, the linked input and output gain feature ensures that both the input and output levels are adjusted together, maintaining a consistent level of compression and ensuring smooth dynamics throughout your mix.

For even greater flexibility, the HA2A offers a mode selector that allows you to choose between several different modes: stereo, dual mono, mid/side. This enables you to customize the compression to suit different stereo imaging techniques. The ability to apply compression in mid/side mode, for example, can be especially useful when processing stereo tracks with distinct center and side information, giving you full control over the stereo field.

Another key feature of the HA2A is its auto gain makeup, which ensures that the level of the output is automatically compensated for after compression. This removes the need to manually adjust the makeup gain, which can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in levels. The automatic gain reduction setting also helps to maintain consistent dynamics, automatically adjusting the amount of compression applied to the signal based on the input level.

For those who like to use parallel compression techniques, the HA2A includes dry and wet level controls. This allows you to blend the compressed signal with the original, unprocessed signal, achieving that characteristic parallel compression sound. This is especially useful when working with drums, vocals, or any other instruments that require punch and presence without losing their natural dynamics.

To further enhance the analog emulation of the HA2A, the plugin includes hiss, which adds a subtle amount of noise that mimics the behavior of analog equipment. This is a small detail, but it can make a significant difference in the overall feel of the sound, adding to the warmth and vintage character of the compression.

In addition to all of these powerful features, the HA2A includes a bypass function that allows you to keep the analog engine active even when the compression is bypassed. This is particularly useful when you want to use the plugin as a tube saturator, adding analog warmth and distortion to your tracks without engaging the compression side of things.

The HA2A also boasts intelligent oversampling, which ensures that the plugin operates at a high internal resolution of 192kHz, regardless of your session’s sample rate. This results in improved sound quality and greater accuracy when applying compression, especially at higher frequencies where aliasing can sometimes occur. The intelligent oversampling technology ensures that the HA2A always delivers the best possible performance, regardless of the complexity of the material you’re working with.

The user interface of the HA2A is sleek and intuitive, featuring a vector-based design that looks sharp on any resolution. Whether you’re working on a high-DPI display or a standard monitor, the interface remains clear and easy to navigate. Additionally, the HA2A features a freely resizable user interface, so you can adjust it to fit your screen size and workflow preferences.

For those working with Apple’s latest M1-powered computers, the HA2A fully supports Apple Silicon M1, ensuring optimal performance on the latest hardware. It is also compatible with macOS (10.11 and later) and Windows (Vista and later), supporting both 64-bit systems. The plugin is available in a variety of formats, including Audio Units, VST, VST3, and AAX, making it compatible with most popular DAWs.

The HA2A is available for just €19.99, and as always, HoRNet offers a 15-day 100% money-back guarantee. You can also try the demo version before making your purchase, ensuring that you can experience the full potential of the plugin before committing.

For those who already own the complete HoRNet bundle, you can take advantage of a 40% discount on the HA2A, making it an even more attractive addition to your plugin collection.