Specifications

Chapter 8: BF-3A 45
Chapter 8: BF-3A
The BF-3A is a vintage-style compressor plug-in
that is available in TDM, RTAS, and AudioSuite
formats.
Bomb Factory extends its award-winning Clas-
sic Compressors line with the BF-3A, based on
the classic LA-3A. A secret weapon of pros in the
know, the LA-3A adds a smoothness and sonic
texture that makes sounds jump right out of the
mix.
How BF-3A Works
Designed and manufactured in the late 1960s,
the original LA-3A shares many components in
common with the LA-2A compressor. Just like
the LA-2A, the heart of the LA-3A is the T4B
Electro-Optical Attenuator. This is a device that
converts audio to light and back and is largely
responsible for the compression character of the
unit.
While the LA-2A’s gain comes from a tube am-
plifier, the LA-3A's gain comes from a solid-
state (transistor) amplifier. This gives the LA-
3A a solid midrange and more aggressive tone.
Other subtle modifications change the behavior
of the T4B, causing it to respond differently—
particularly in response to percussive material.
The LA-3A is famous for its unique sonic im-
print on guitar, piano, vocals and drums. Be-
cause it's so easy to control, you'll be getting
classic tones in no time with the BF-3A.
BF-3A Controls
The Peak Reduction and Output Gain controls
combine with the Comp/Limit switch to deter-
mine the amount and sound of the compression.
The following controls and meters are provided:
Peak Reduction Peak Reduction controls the
amount of signal entering the side-chain. The
more Peak Reduction you dial in, the more
“squashed” and compressed the sound will be.
Too little peak reduction and you won’t hear any
compression action; too much and the sound be-
comes muffled and dead sounding.
Output Gain Output Gain provides makeup gain
to make the signal louder after passing through
the peak reduction.
BF-3A