HoRNet Audio offers the HA2A hardware-inspired opto compressor plugin for macOS and Windows at no cost for a limited time. At the time of writing, there are exactly 48 hours left to claim the plugin for free.
HA2A is HoRNet’s take on the legendary LA-2A compressor, and it arrives not long after Universal Audio’s limited-time giveaway of their official LA-2A plugin.
It’s shaping up to be a good year for fans of vintage-style optical compression. But if you’re interested in even more LA-2A-inspired plugins, don’t forget our own free BPB Dirty LA.
HA2A was modeled after a real LA-2A hardware unit, and HoRNet measured everything from the original compressor’s frequency-dependent behavior to its attack and release characteristics, which are dictated by the unique electroluminescent panel and photoresistor combo
As a result, HA2A replicates that signature slow, musical compression behavior that made the LA-2A a studio staple. I absolutely love the LA-2A on vocals and am looking forward to further testing how HA2A handles that task.
But this isn’t a strict 1:1 clone of the original. HoRNet added several useful modern features, like input/output VU meters, auto input gain, and oversampling.
You also get parallel compression controls (dry/wet mix), stereo modes (stereo, dual mono, mid, and side), and a handy input/output link for easy A/B testing and a much faster workflow (I love it when compressors and saturators have this).
The HA2A also functions as a tube saturator when the compressor is bypassed, taking full advantage of its analog emulation of tubes and transformers.
It’s also worth noting that you can toggle the analog coloration on or off, depending on whether you want vintage warmth or a more transparent signal path.
That said, my favorite feature is “Control Track,” which lets you control multiple instances of the plugin from a single UI. This is extremely useful in large sessions when you’re managing dynamics across multiple tracks.
It also makes it easy to dial in the correct amount of coloration across the mix if you’re using HA2A primarily as a device for adding character.
During my very quick test (because I’m trying to publish this as soon as possible), I found it very easy to get a polished vocal sound with minimal tweaking.
HA2A includes several presets with automatic gain and reduction targets, so it’s very beginner-friendly while still flexible enough for more detailed work. You can even drive the output stage into distortion while keeping the output volume stable using the “compensation” switch.
HA2A runs on macOS (10.9 and later) and Windows (7 and up), and it supports VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX in 64-bit. There are no download restrictions, no registration hoops, and no iLok. Just grab it directly from the HoRNet website while the offer is still active.
Get the freebie: HA2A (FREE for 48 hours)
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Last Updated on September 15, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
