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Customer Reviews 5 Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars

by I. Duarte (5/16/2013):

I have used this compressor in many studios and in all kinds of stiles all over the years, but ... Read more

4 Reviews
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Overview

Teletronix® LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier

True to the Original Design, our Famed Tube-Amplified T4 Electro-Optical Classic Compressor

Audio professionals revere the LA-2A. The original was immediately acknowledged for its smooth, natural compression characteristics. A unique tube-driven electro-optical attenuator system allows instantaneous gain reduction with no increase in harmonic distortion — an accomplishment at the time, still appreciated today. This faithful Universal Audio reissue marks the rebirth of the Teletronix LA-2A. Painstaking care has been taken to ensure that every new LA-2A provides the performance characteristics of the original. Each unit is point-to-point hand-wired and built in Scotts Valley, California, with every component carefully evaluated for authenticity. As a result, today’s LA-2A will bring the same legendary compression characteristics of the original to all of your recordings.

  • True to the original LA-2A in design, manufacturing and performance
  • Lag free, distortion free optical attenuator system
  • 10 milliseconds attack time
  • Hand-built in USA; backed by 1-Year limited warranty
  • View All Features

Each unit is hand-built and hand-wired in-house at UA with each component being carefully evaluated for authenticity. No expense has been spared to guarantee that this LA-2A will bring that classic sound to your recording. Demand the original. Accept no copy.

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Reviews

Reviews

1 of 5

  • Tucker Martine

    (My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists)

    "The LA-2A eliminates the need to ride a vocal while adding a very seductive glow to it.”

    Billy Bush

    (Garbage)

    “I don’t ever track a bass without an LA-2A and I don’t ever track drums without an 1176.”

    Peter Katis

    (The National, Interpol, Tokyo Police Club)

    “The LA-2A is the definition of the old-school choice for recording bass for a reason. It’s very hard to go wrong with. It just has that sound.”

    Greg Parkin

    (Capitol Studios & Mastering)

    "UA gear such as the 1176 and LA-2A have been staples here at Capitol since their creation."

    Glenn Rosenstein

    (Ziggy Marley, U2)

    "There's a very specific reason why pieces of gear like an 1176 or an LA-2A or an LA-3 became ubiquitous."

  • Justin Gerrish

    (Vampire Weekend)

    "Mixing [Vampire Weekend] I put LA-2As on the bass. I also used an 1176 and an LA-3A on the vocal, together in series."

    Jim Dalrymple

    (The Loop)

    "[I use] the Fairchild Compressor, Neve 1081, Neve 1073, LA-2A and the 1176 Compressor. They all give you something different."

    Carl Glanville

    (U2)

    "The sonic picture is completed with the output of the 610 being connected to my LA-2A or 1176 before being committed to tape."

    Mark Hawley

    (Tori Amos)

    "I got hold of a LA-2A and gave it a try, and immediately liked what it was doing. As a result, I bought one for the studio..."

    Peter Frampton

    “The LA-2A and 1176 have been in my life for so long. I can’t do without those."

  • Jay Newland

    (Etta James, Norah Jones)

    “The LA-2A for me is sort of a default that I always go to. It always works great.”

    Tony Kanal

    (No Doubt)

    "The LA-2A is a must-have in my studio. With the LA-2A in my bass recording chain, I know I'm going to get great tone every time."

    John Cuniberti

    (Joe Satriani, The Meters)

    “The LA-2A is a beautiful instrument."

    Gareth Jones

    (Grizzly Bear, Depeche Mode)

    "Mixing Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest, we used all UA gear we could get our hands on - 1176s & LA-2As of course."

    Ted Spencer

    (Audio Media)

    "[The LA-2A] is simply indespensible and will sonically complement other compressors in the rack beautifully."

  • Ted Spencer

    (Pro Audio Review)

    “My sense is that this [LA-2A] reissue is better than the older units I have used over many years in various studios.”

    Nick Batzdorf

    (Recording Magazine)

    "[The LA-2A] can control the most unruly signals incredibly tightly and still sound completely natural."

    Mark Cross

    (Audio Media)

    "From percussion to voice to guitars to strings, [the LA-2A and 1176LN] proved to be sonically and technically impressive."

    Mark Cross

    (Audio Media)

    "Having this quality of gear [LA-2A and 1176LN] available for these sessions was a privilege that I could get used to."

    Dave Martin

    (Pro Sound News)

    "The [reissue] LA-2A has captured the flavor and performance of an original LA-2A, yet it sounds cleaner"

  • Michael Cooper

    (Mix Magazine)

    "The LA-2A's uniquely transparent processing makes it incredibly effective for treating vocals ... it can work miracles."

    Michael Cooper

    (Mix Magazine)

    "If I were a mutant I would give the LA-2A three thumbs up!"

    Jimmy Mitchell

    (Billy Bob Thornton)

    “When we mix, I always put an LA-2A on [Billy Bob Thornton's] vocals ... the LA-2A plug-ins sounded awesome."

    John Cuniberti

    (Joe Satriani)

    “All his [Satriani] melody guitar parts ... I treat like a human voice. The limiter choice there is hands down an LA-2A.”

    Mark Plati

    (David Bowie, The Cure)

    "[Comparing new and old], I liked the new LA-2A better; it was as warm as the vintage unit, but a lot clearer."

User Ratings

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Average Rating (5 Reviews)
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    The best ever !!!!
    by I. Duarte (Thursday 16 May, 2013)

    I have used this compressor in many studios and in all kinds of stiles all over the years, but only now I had the chance to by one of my own an I have no words to describe how happy I am. One thing is more than clear, I won't sleep tonight. lol … Read More

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    Beautiful
    by D. Ralph (Friday 15 February, 2013)

    Ive only ever used one hardware LA2A in my life, that is the new RI i bought last week. The sound is amazingly lush and rich, the distortion on some sources just makes you melt. The new LA2A plugin pack is fabulous, but as they say; close but no cigar. I love this compressor, its beautifully ma … Read More

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    by J. Hendicott (Monday 20 June, 2011)

    Another classic product from UA. I use this in conjunction with my 1176 and have no need for an EQ as this does everything I need it to. Great at warming up harsh vocals and getting that saturated tone. It took some getting used to, as I would often use with vocals on the way in. In my opinion it's … Read More

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    by E. Frank (Friday 17 June, 2011)

    While the LA2A doesn't work for everyone, when it does it is killer. This is by far my favorite compressor I own. … Read More

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    by A. Kovacs (Thursday 16 June, 2011)

    I simply do not track vocals without the LA-2A. It's simple and efficient, adds that inexplainable 'glue' element to whatever you throw at it. I cannot think of a better vocal chain than a U47 running through a Ruper Neve designed preamp into the LA-2A before the signal hits the converters. We recor … Read More

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Artists

  • Damian Taylor Brings "The Weirdness"

    The Grammy-nominated producer explains how he got Battle Born, The Killers' latest album, battle-ready with Universal Audio. Read More

    R&B Engineer Tremaine Williams

    Tremaine reflects on how UAD Powered Plug-Ins have helped to further his quest for audio perfection. Read More

    Audio Legend Joe Chiccarelli

    The Grammy-winning producer, mixer, and engineer is responsible for capturing some of modern times’ most beloved sounds. Read More

  • Producer/Engineer Billy Bush Mixes Garbage

    Bush uses UA tools extensively while sculpting the band’s edgy guitars, driving percussion grooves, and glistening electronics. Read More

    Iconic Rock Producer Andy Johns

    Learn how he used Universal Audio’s 1176 on iconic rock hits, including Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog.”… Read More

    Phil Tan

    With more than 24 #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, 3 Grammys®, and nearly 300 album credits, there are few engineers that can touch Phil Tan’s recent track record. Read More

  • Tucker Martine

    We talk to the GRAMMY®-nominee on how he incorporated UA gear into two new albums fromThe Decemberists and My Morning Jacket. Read More

    Jacknife Lee

    An Irish musician, remixer, producer, and engineer, Jacknife Lee has worked with legendary rock bands... Read More

    Peter Katis

    Producer Peter Katis on The National, Jónsi, and Universal Audio Analog Hardware… Read More

  • Michael Brauer

    Michael Brauer has enjoyed an illustrious 30-year music career, mixing chart-topping albums by artists including Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones. Read More

    Glenn Rosenstein

    Glenn Rosenstein is one of those powerhouse engineer/producers who cut his teeth at NYC’s Sigma Sound in the ‘80s. Read More

    Mike Shipley

    GRAMMY®-winner Mike Shipley is one of the music industry’s top mixers; his hit-making career spans over thirty years. Read More

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Features & Specs
Teletronix® LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier

Features:
  • True to the original in design, manufacturing and performance
  • Lag free, distortion free optical attenuator system
  • Distortion less than 0.5% THD
  • 0 to 40 dB gain limiting
  • Balanced stereo interconnection
  • Frequency response 1 dB, 30 to 15,000 cps
  • Output level of 10 dBm and 40 dB gain
  • Low noise – less than 70 dB below ±10 dBm output
  • Hand-built in USA; backed by 1-Year limited warranty
Technical Specifications:

Input Impedance
50, 150, 250, 600 ohms

Output Load Impedance
50, 150, 250, 600 ohms
External Connections
Jones Barrier terminals and XLR connectors

Frequency Response
+0/-1 dB 30 Hz to 15kHz

Gain
40 dB ±1dB
Input Level
+16 dB maximum
Output Level
+10 dB nominal, +16 dB maximum
Distortion
Less than 0.5% THD (0.25% typical) at ±10 dBm

Noise
70 dB below +10 dBm output level

Attack Time
10 milliseconds

Release Time
0.06 seconds for 50% release; 0.5 to 5 seconds for complete release

Meter
dB gain reduction and dB output
Power Requirements
35 watts, 120/240 volts, 50/60 Hz
Environmental
Maximum operating temperature 160°F
Dimensions
19" Rackmount chassis, 3U
Weight
13 lbs.
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Docs

UA 2011 Product Catalog.pdf

Teletronix® LA-2A Manual.pdf

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Paul Blakemore

Paul Blakemore

Engineer Paul Blakemore on Mastering Grammy-Winning Hits with UAD Plug-Ins. Read the interview…

Buy a LA-610 MkII and Get a UAD-2 DUO Package FREE! Learn more…