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A classic tube mic preamp & LA-2A-style compressor in a single unit.

The LA-610 MkII combines a hand-built in the USA, all-tube, vintage mic preamp design — heard on classic albums by Coldplay, The Beach Boys, and Van Halen — with authentic Teletronix T4 opto-compression circuitry.

This classic channel strip design, with its warm preamp tone and smooth, natural-sounding compression, is updated with modern, user-requested features like true compressor bypass, larger metering, increased output, and an auto-switching power supply.

Record through the all-tube mic preamp derived from legendary Bill Putnam-designed 610 modular console

Compress signals with authentic Teletronix T4 opto-compression tube circuitry

Shape your tones further with High and Low frequency shelving tube EQ

Record your tracks through vintage UA, "handmade in the USA," circuits

The Legendary 610 Preamp

The Legendary 610 Preamp

The LA-610 MkII is based on the legendary console modules developed by Bill Putnam in the 60's. Noted for their musical character and warmth, innumerous classics by artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Coldplay, Van Halen to Pet Sounds, have been recorded using the 610 preamp. The LA-610 MkII will impart the same silky, vintage warmth of the original console’s mic amp design to your sources.

Toneful Tube Compression

The LA-610 Mk II’s T4 tube compressor provides the same ultra-warm limiting that has made the Teletronix LA-2A the king of fat opto compression. The electro-optical detector, or "T4 cell,” is the heart and soul of the Teletronix LA-2A. Its photo resistors are the crucial circuit components, giving the compressor its signature warmth, making it a “go-to” for tracking vocals, bass, or acoustic guitars. Taken together, it’s impossible to get a bad sound out of the LA-610 MkII’s legendary preamp and compression circuits.

Key Features

All-tube mic preamp design derived from legendary Bill Putnam-designed 610 modular console
Authentic Teletronix LA-2A-style T4 opto-compressor section
MkII exclusive features include: true compressor bypass, larger metering, increased output, and auto-switching power supply
Mic pre with Gain and Level controls, variable impedance switching, and instrument DI for recording tone “color”
High and Low frequency shelving EQ
Complete vintage channel strip at groundbreaking price within project studio reach
UA build quality and heritage, audiophile components, hand-assembled in the USA
Backed by 1-Year limited warranty

MkII Improvements

True Bypass of the Compressor Circuit
Larger and Better Lit Metering
Improved Output Signal Performance
Auto-Sensing Universal Power Supply
Improved stability with feedback-style shelving EQ
Improved consistency with Input Gain values
LED Jewel Light Never Needs Replacing

Specifications

Mic, Line and Hi-Z Input, Line Output
Dual Impedance Mic and Hi-Z inputs (Mic: 2K, 500Ω, Hi-Z: 2.2M, 47KΩ)
5 position Stepped Preamp Input Gain, Continuous Preamp Output Level
-15dB Pad Switch (15dB Pad/Off)
Phase reverse (0/180º)
48 volt Phantom Power switch (+48v/Off)
+/- 9 dB stepped High Shelving Filter (4.5, 7, 10 kHz)
+/- 9 dB stepped Low Shelving Filter (70, 100, 200 Hz)
T4 Optical Compressor with Continuous Peak Reduction and Makeup Gain
Compress/Limit/Bypass Modes of Dynamic Operation (3:1 / ∞: 1)
Meter Source Selector Switch (Preamp/Gain Reduction/Compressor)
Front Panel Power switch (On/Off)
Custom Altran and Cinemag Transformers

Customer Reviews

LA-610 MkII

Overall Rating

4.8/5
(90)

S. Cabriles

March 29, 2013

Sonido Grande

El LA610MKII es verdaderamente un preamp de base tonal clara, con un color caliente excepcional, trabajo con Api 512c y Vintech 573, la combinación de estos 3 pres marcan la diferencia en una producción de gran embergadura.

D. Cooper

March 11, 2013

LA-610 Mk2..Makes my mic sound like a C800g!

If you sing R&B and want that sound like Babyface, Charlie Wilson, Tyrese, Tank, New Edition, Drew Hill....you get the picture. Then you must get this unit!! I am a singer and always rented studio time to find the right sound...Never tried this until i purchased one used. I had to stop recording just to type this review because I was sooooo pleased and realized my search was over finally. Yes I have had some good pre amps. The 6176 which i loved but had to sale to release my first record...lol The Avalon 737 which the output kept going out on. Even though both units were great, Neither gave me that rich SonyC800g mic sound...yes it makes my STERLING AUDIO mike sound like a Sony C800g... and yes I have recorded on 1 of those.

D. Batista

February 7, 2013

A must have for vocals

Depending on what Genre you do, it will always be personal preference. For me, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Classical vocals always go through my LA-610 MkII. This channel strip makes any vocal I put through it sound clean, discrete, warm and exceptionally smooth. It is BY FAR the easiest unit I have used to give me the best sound. A little bit of GR (Gain Reduction), drive that pre, put a 1 db+ on the 7k EQ section, and you got a rich sound on any mic.

Must have in every studio.

M. Hamilton

January 22, 2013

Great unit with classic UA SOund

There is nothing I don't like about the LA-610 except I only have one. It is great for Vocals,bass,guitars and keys. It is one of my favorite go-to analog devices. What's great about is it is it is easy to use! I love the mic pre and it's impedance switching ability for ribbon mics and instruments and the compressor limiter is awsesome! For the price you can't beat i! Oh! Did Imention Ilove the big vintage knobs!

I. Papagiannidis

November 3, 2012

John Jeff Touch

LA 610 MKII is THE channel strip im using it in my studio almost in all applications.

I love the fat sound of LA 610 preamp and the fantastic bite of its opto compressor.

Really fantastic work on guitars and bass! its making the sound alive and in your face.

Its also a first choice for lead vox when its combined with a condenser or dynamic mic (sm7, cad e 100 first generation, neumann etc)
As a rock singer myself i love the warm fat sound of the lows. It gives such a nice body and gentle highs in all types of voices .
I ve recorded many singers from jazz to hard rock and it sounds really cool to all of them!
The EQ it's a good start before to edit your tracks.

A big thanks to Universal Audio Team!

John Jeff Touch

www.webartag.com

M. Lippke

October 21, 2012

Absolutly great !

I bought this tube channel a few weeks ago and i love it !

J. Ramirez

September 19, 2012

the exact same problem as D. Langemann

I'm so excited to use my new LA610 but the problem is the exact same problem as D. Langemann . It seems that the relay or power supply goes crazy. It flickers and also turns off the tubes. Its unusable.
I bought my unit through music123.com and did not have any response for warranty or at least any attention.

i'd like to know how much would it cost to fix this issue or at least now an aproximate ?
thanks a lot.

Jose

E. Chaviano

September 14, 2012

LA-610 Mk II ROCKS!!

What else is there to say about this timeless product it has been enhance cosmetically and sonically as well. It's a true Masterpiece!!!t o have in any recording studio regardless of the level of knowlege a musician or engineer has. It just simply works great on any source that is fed to this unit.

Very well built!! thought yet gentle on sound or you can drive it to the limit!!!! A classic must have piece of gear one must have and very affordable as well for what it can do!! Very simple to operate from the get go, the more you use it the better recording output you can obtain from it!!

Thaks to Bill and everyone at Universal Audio for putting out such great products!!!

Keep putting great products out!! Rock On!!!!

Y. Tovstogan

July 29, 2012

I really like this massive and beautifully sounding device!!!
Vocal recording and guitar is now just a pleasure!

The best regards Yuri TovSt'Gun

J. Fisher

June 30, 2012

Amazing channel strip! The EQ is smooth and the compressor is nice! The only thing I could ask for is a couple more of these! Thank you for making these in the USA!!!