Elation is a universal binary AU plugin that mimics or caricatures the LA-2A opto compressor! Realistic opto behaviors, stands up to comparison with hardware, forget other plugs- destroys them :) Elation is $59.99.
Bear in mind that the way Elation works, it's not going to act like a digital compressor or a VCA compressor- it does a pretty good job of leveling subtly without sounding like it's compressing, but if you drive it really hard it will distort. You shouldn't buy Elation if you want something to really clamp hot levels down. It's more of an 'LA-2A color' effect that happens to also do some compressing.
Try the demo of this by downloading the demo collection! You're not allowed to use the demo for actual work. It politely mutes itself briefly every couple minutes, and that's the only thing it does to spite you. It won't expire or do anything to you, and when you get the actual plugin, throw away the demo and put the real version in its place and most software should replace saved instances of the demo with the real thing seamlessly, retaining any settings. Please support my cooperative, unhostile demos with sales of the real software.
