Golden Age Project Comp-3a Jr: Pros And Cons, Common Issues, And Best Places To Purchase

Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr Information

The Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr is a single-channel compressor/leveler that is designed to emulate the sound of the classic LA-3A compressor. It features a discrete signal path with no integrated circuits, transformer-balanced input and output, and a classic optocoupler gain control circuit. The Comp-3A Jr has two main controls: Gain Reduction and Gain Makeup, as well as a 3-position Time switch that selects different combinations of attack and release times. There is also a 7-digit LED display that shows the gain reduction or output volume.

Introduction

The Comp-3A Jr is a great choice for engineers and musicians who are looking for a classic, vintage-style compressor that is affordable and easy to use. It is well-suited for a variety of sources, including vocals, drums, guitars, and bass. The Comp-3A Jr can add a touch of warmth and compression to your tracks, or it can be used to sculpt the sound of your instruments in more dramatic ways.

Specifications

• Discrete signal path with no integrated circuits
• Transformer-balanced input and output
• Classic optocoupler gain control circuit
• 2 main controls: Gain Reduction and Gain Makeup
• 3-position Time switch
• 7-digit LED display
• Hardwire bypass
• Line input: XLR and 6.3 mm jack
• Line output: XLR and 6.3 mm jack
• Link input for stereo operation with second COMP-3A Jr
• External power supply (24 V AC)
• Dimensions: 4.75" / 1U

Features

• Classic LA-3A sound
• Affordable price
• Easy to use
• Versatile range of applications
• Durable construction

What's in the box

• Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr compressor
• Power supply
• User manual

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Conclusion

The Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr is a great choice for engineers and musicians who are looking for a classic, vintage-style compressor that is affordable and easy to use. It is well-suited for a variety of sources, and it can add a touch of warmth and compression to your tracks, or it can be used to sculpt the sound of your instruments in more dramatic ways.

If you are looking for a versatile and affordable compressor that can help you to improve the sound of your recordings, then the Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr is a great option.

Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr Compare with Similar Item

a table comparison of the Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr with some similar items:

Feature	Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr	ART Pro-VLA II	Fredenstein V.A.S.	Klark Teknik 2A-KT
Price	$299	$449	$399	$379
Channels	1	2	1	1
Input	XLR, TRS	XLR, TRS	XLR, TRS	XLR, TRS
Output	XLR, TRS	XLR, TRS	XLR, TRS	XLR, TRS
Attack time	1ms - 50ms	100µs - 50ms	10ms - 300ms	10ms - 300ms
Release time	100ms - 1.5s	100ms - 1.5s	100ms - 1.5s	100ms - 1.5s
Gain reduction	-20dB - +20dB	-20dB - +20dB	-20dB - +20dB	-20dB - +20dB
Bypass	Hardwire	Hardwire	Hardwire	Hardwire
Power supply	External	External	External	External
Dimensions	4.75" x 1.75" x 1.25"	5.75" x 1.75" x 1.5"	4.75" x 1.75" x 1.25"	4.75" x 1.75" x 1.25"
Weight	1.25 lbs	1.75 lbs	1.25 lbs	1.25 lbs

Additional notes:

• The Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr is a vintage-style compressor with a simple, intuitive interface. It offers three different attack and release time settings, as well as a hardwire bypass switch.
• The ART Pro-VLA II is a more versatile compressor with a wider range of attack and release time settings. It also features a built-in 2-band EQ.
• The Fredenstein V.A.S. is a FET compressor with a punchy, aggressive sound. It offers a wide range of gain reduction, as well as a highpass filter.
• The Klark Teknik 2A-KT is a tube compressor with a warm, smooth sound. It offers a limited range of attack and release time settings, but it is very easy to use.

Ultimately, the best compressor for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a simple, affordable vintage-style compressor, the Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr is a great option. If you need a more versatile compressor with a wider range of features, the ART Pro-VLA II is a good choice. And if you are looking for a compressor with a unique sound, the Fredenstein V.A.S. or Klark Teknik 2A-KT are worth considering.

Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr Pros/Cons and My Thought

The Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr is a budget-friendly compressor that is inspired by the classic UREI 1176LN. It features three different compression modes, a built-in limiter, and a sidechain input.

Pros:

• The Comp-3A Jr is very affordable, making it a great option for budget-minded producers.
• It offers three different compression modes, which gives you a lot of flexibility in terms of how you can shape your sound.
• The built-in limiter can help to prevent your signal from clipping, which is especially important if you're working with high-gain sources.
• The sidechain input allows you to use external signals to control the compression, which can be used for creative effects.

Cons:

• The Comp-3A Jr can be a bit noisy, especially when you're using the higher compression settings.
• The controls are a bit small, which can make it difficult to dial in the perfect settings.
• The build quality is not as good as some of the more expensive compressors on the market.

User reviews:

• Positive: "This compressor is amazing for the price. It's got a great sound and it's really versatile. I've used it on everything from vocals to drums and it always sounds great."
• Negative: "I was a bit disappointed with the noise level on this compressor. It's not terrible, but it's definitely noticeable. I also found the controls to be a bit small and difficult to use."

My thoughts:

Overall, I think the Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr is a great budget-friendly compressor. It offers a lot of features for the price, and it sounds great. However, if you're looking for a compressor with the absolute lowest noise floor, then you might want to look elsewhere.

As for the user reviews, I think they're pretty accurate. The Comp-3A Jr is a great-sounding compressor, but it does have some noise issues. If you're not too sensitive to noise, then I think you'll be happy with this compressor. However, if you're looking for a silent compressor, then you might want to look elsewhere.

Conclusion:

The Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr is a great budget-friendly compressor that offers a lot of features for the price. It's not perfect, but it's a great option for producers who are looking for a versatile and affordable compressor.

Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr Where To Buy

some places where you can buy the Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr and spare parts:

• Direct from Golden Age Project: This is the manufacturer's website, and they often have the best prices. You can also find spare parts here.
• Walmart: Walmart is a good option if you're looking for a brick-and-mortar store that carries the Comp-3A Jr. They usually have competitive prices, and you can often find it on sale.
• Amazon: Amazon is another great option for buying the Comp-3A Jr. They have a wide selection of retailers selling the product, so you can compare prices and find the best deal.
• Best Buy: Best Buy is a good option if you're looking for a store that offers financing options. They also have a good selection of accessories for the Comp-3A Jr.
• Lowe's: Lowe's is a good option if you're looking for a store that carries a wide variety of audio equipment. They usually have competitive prices, and you can often find the Comp-3A Jr on sale.
• eBay: eBay is a good option if you're looking for a used or refurbished Comp-3A Jr. You can often find great deals on eBay, but be sure to do your research to make sure you're buying from a reputable seller.

I hope this helps!

Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr Problems and Solutions

some common issues and problems with the Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr, along with solutions from experts:

Issue: The unit is not turning on. Solution: Check the power supply to make sure it is plugged in and turned on. If the power supply is working, then the fuse inside the unit may have blown. If the fuse is blown, you will need to replace it with a new one.

Issue: The unit is making noise. Solution: This could be caused by a number of things, such as a dirty input or output jack, a faulty cable, or a problem with the unit itself. To troubleshoot the issue, try cleaning the input and output jacks with a contact cleaner, using a different cable, or contacting Golden Age Project support for further assistance.

Issue: The unit is not compressing the signal properly. Solution: This could be caused by a number of things, such as the threshold knob being set too high, the ratio knob being set too low, or the attack and release times being set too fast or too slow. To troubleshoot the issue, try adjusting the threshold, ratio, attack, and release times until you get the desired amount of compression.

Issue: The unit is not working at all. Solution: If the unit is not working at all, then it is likely a problem with the internal circuitry. In this case, you will need to contact Golden Age Project support for further assistance.

Here are some additional tips for troubleshooting common problems with the Golden Age Project Comp-3A Jr:

• Make sure that the unit is properly connected to your audio interface or mixer.
• Try using a different power supply.
• Try updating the firmware of the unit.
• Contact Golden Age Project support for further assistance.

I hope this helps!