With its gentle
program dependent optical compression
and meticulously designed tube amplifier
the LA-2A is the go-to compressor for professional mixers around the world. In 2001
Universal Audio set the standard in analog emulation with the original UAD LA?2A plug?in.
Today
UA’s engineers have redesigned the LA-2A plug-in with more obsessive detail. The LA-2A Classic Leveler Plug-In Collection features immaculate models of three highly sought-after LA-2A units
giving you the most authentic emulations ever of this iconic compressor.
The Teletronix Story
Teletronix founder Jim Lawrence first used photocells for controlling audio gain in the early 1960s. His ingenious optical compression design was a technological breakthrough
far surpassing the stability and transparency of earlier circuits. Universal Audio founder M.T. ”Bill” Putnam later purchased this patented technology
continuing to manufacture the LA-2A for years to come.
Three Historical Units
The Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection puts three of the most coveted incarnations of the iconic Teletronix processor at your fingertips. Like the hardware
the LA-2A Silver
LA-2A Gray
and LA-2 models offer distinct variations in time constants
compression knee
headroom
distortion
program and frequency dependence
and more.
LA-2A Silver & Gray
With a brushed aluminum panel and original T4B gain reduction module
this cherished late-1960s “Silver” version of the LA-2A
manufactured by Bill Putnam
is perhaps the most flexible of the three plug-ins in the collection. Its fast time constant makes it suitable for the widest variety of program material
including transient-rich sources like drums and percussion. Jim Lawrence’s original mid-1960s “Gray” version the LA-2A maintains a more average time constant
providing a range of “medium-speed” compression.
The Original LA-2
The exceptionally rare
early 1960s LA-2 unit preceded the LA-2A by several years. It provides the slowest response and a unique “mellowed” sound due to 50 years of luminescent panel aging inside the T4 module. Use the LA-2 with legato tempos and vocal sources for a transparency and sublime mood unlike any other compressor.
Features:
Track and mix with three historic versions of revered Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifiers
each with its own distinctive sonic attributes
Record through a Teletronix LA-2A/LA-2 in real time with Apollo interfaces
Dial-in ideal optical compression textures for vocals
bass
drums
and more
Harness presets from LA-2A users Ross Hogarth
Darrell Thorp
and Vance Powell