Teletronix® LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection
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The ultimate collection of the most
revered optical compressor ever.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.Included Versions
UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.Apollo Realtime & UAD‑2
Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD‑2 hardware.UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.
- 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
TAKE A LISTEN
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.
“This sounds exactly like I hoped it would — real, warm, and 100% fantastic.”
– Vance Powell (Jack White, The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs)
“Turn up the input gain on the new UAD LA-2 plug-in and listen to the life it brings to your track. One word. Wow.”
– Darrell Thorp (Beck, Radiohead, Charlotte Gainsbourg)
“The LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection opens up a wonderful sonic palette that's rich and a pleasure to use.”
– Carl Glanville (U2, Billy Joel, Counting Crows)
“The UAD LA-2A Collection has the best models of the real hardware I've ever heard. It's like owning the real deal, that will never require a tech guy.”
– Jeff Juliano (John Mayer, Shinedown, Train)
“The UAD LA-2A is the first thing in my vocal chain. It brings unmatched attitude to lead vocals and sets the tone for songs.”
– Ivan Barias (Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Estelle)
“I'm flipping out with the new UAD LA-2A Collection! Having the tonal and response variations between the different versions gives me more brushes to paint with, especially on bass guitar and vocals.”
– Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Avett Brothers)
“The LA-2A plug-in is the closest thing to my analog version that I have found.”
– Ross Hogarth (Van Halen, Ziggy Marley, Motley Crue)
“My vocal chain is an LA-2A, SSL E Series Channel Strip, an 1176LN, and a Precision De-Esser. They're amazing plug-ins.”
– Hector Delgado (A$AP Rocky, Selena Gomez, Jay-Z)
“The UAD LA-2A plug-in has become my go-to compressor for lead vocals and acoustic guitars. ”
– Ariel Borujow (Chromeo, Mac Miller, Madonna)
“To put it simply, the UAD LA-2A emulations sound more like a physical box with tubes and transformers. It’s the real thing.”
– Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Jónsi)
“The UAD LA-2A and API Series plug-ins not only feel and sound like my hardware, they react the same when I push them hard. ”
– Mark Needham (The Killers, Neon Trees, P!nk)Customer Reviews
R. Robertson
December 12, 2016
My Review for LA-2A plugins
Got the collection and tried them out. I found that although there's only two main dials to work with, you can find quite a large range of settings. Smooth is a good description of when I...
Read MoreJ. Jackson
December 12, 2016
Awesome!
I had to choose between this and the 1176, and I went with the LA-2A mainly because I like the way it sounds on vocals and acoustic guitar. I do plan to get the 1176 later, but for now the...
Read MoreN. Mjigal
December 11, 2016
Best LA2A plugin
Amazing on vocals. Very smooth, and the emphasis knob is so useful !
Read MoreD. Myers
December 11, 2016
My 'go to' compressor for vocals!!
I already own a few compressor plugin emulations but had a try on this one and felt it was a real necessity - it has a richness and authenticity to it which contrasts it to the 1176 plugins...
Read MoreT. van Ginkel
December 10, 2016
Amazing and easy to use plugin! Perfect on Vocals!
I think this bundle of the LA-2A is just amazing. It works perfect, especially on vocals. I use it on every project! And it is a very simple plugin to use but it sounds great! It is one of...
Read More -
Key Features
Superior plug-in emulations of revered Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifiers.
Includes three historic versions — LA-2A Silver, LA-2A Gray, and original LA-2 — each with their own distinctive sonic attributes.
Models entire electronic path — including transformers, tube amplifiers, and T4 optical cell distortions — for unmistakable analog color and character.
Incredibly easy-to-use Peak Reduction and Gain controls.
Offers the ideal optical compression sound for vocals, bass, drums and more.
Includes plug-in presets from famous LA-2A users Ross Hogarth, Jeff Juliano, Carl Glanville, Darrell Thorp, and Vance Powell.
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Customer Reviews
Teletronix® LA-2A Leveler Collection
R. Robertson
My Review for LA-2A plugins
Got the collection and tried them out.
I found that although there's only two main dials to work with, you can find quite a large range of settings.
Smooth is a good description of when I was getting these plugins to hit there stride as far as dialing them in effectively.
Works well with 1176's when using them together.J. Jackson
Awesome!
I had to choose between this and the 1176, and I went with the LA-2A mainly because I like the way it sounds on vocals and acoustic guitar. I do plan to get the 1176 later, but for now the LA-2A is great.
Y. Sikuade
fantastic
fantastic!!!
N. Mjigal
Best LA2A plugin
Amazing on vocals. Very smooth, and the emphasis knob is so useful !
D. Myers
My 'go to' compressor for vocals!!
I already own a few compressor plugin emulations but had a try on this one and felt it was a real necessity - it has a richness and authenticity to it which contrasts it to the 1176 plugins - a real weapon to craft top class vocals - buy it!!!
T. van Ginkel
Amazing and easy to use plugin! Perfect on Vocals!
I think this bundle of the LA-2A is just amazing. It works perfect, especially on vocals. I use it on every project! And it is a very simple plugin to use but it sounds great! It is one of the best plugins that i know. go try it out!
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Just has 'that' sound.
After owning the LA2A Legacy version I was putting off getting the updated version but the newer versions knock the legacy version out the water completely. Different league of plugin. The LA2A just has that positive effect that when you stick it on a vocal it just works. Only problem is now I need more DSP power...
N. Payet
The Vocals Comp
The la2a is the vocals compressor to have, work great on guitar and more, a must have. Get it now.
B. Johnson
Sounds so close to the real thing!
I have worked with hardware LA2A's and I have to say these emulations sound almost identical. I love tracking through them and definitely worth the upgrade!
a. vt
the go to leveler
i was a bit sceptical as i already had the legacy version but when ive tried it its was a no brainer, absolutely worth it 100 times!
d. bennett
LA2a collection review
Best sounding opto compressor that I have heard. I have a pair of hardware la2a clones and I use the UA to add color to my tracks. Can't wait to buy the Pultec collection. UA, hurry up with a discount offer for them.
m. shim
Compressor really good utilization.
It is a compressor that hangs unconditionally on a vocal chain.
It's best..
Fantastic!!!
It does something special to vocals the moment you plug into it. Its so simple and easy to find the sweet spot. I highly recommend it!
O. Ramirez
Amazing!
I have used the LA2a hardware my entire career (21 years). Every studio I have been to has one and I always make sure to try it out on something. I have always love the LA2a on vocals, bass, acoustic/ electric guitar, I have even used it for brass and string instruments with great results. When I tried the plugin I was thrilled with the sound. Plus when you purchase the collection you get the 3 different versions of the hardware, each giving its own unique character and sound. I have been using the plugin for a few months now and I'm still impressed at how authentic they sound. Thank you to the great minds at UA for completely changing the game of "in the box mixing", what a great time to be alive!
p. prodaniuk
Nice variety, smoother sound.
Very great update. Although honestly I use the original a lot still because of low CPU hit. It already was so good. But this is definitely an essential addition to your UAD library.
C. Holford
The word you're looking for is ... CHARACTER!
The difference that sets this LA-2A collection apart from the legacy model, and also models from other companies, is the very distinct voice of each compressor in the collection. the effect of the compression seems as light-handed as you would want it to be on the LA-2As, but even turning it on imparts a sonic effect on whatever track you choose - each has its own chunk and presence. And the LA-2 is simply a beast! I'm already seeing an effect on my mixes as I replace other LA-2A models with instances from this collection. WOW!
B. Schimmel
The go-to units for vocals...
LA-2 is always in my recording chain. I also use LA-2A on guitars and bass a lot.
W. Murray
Beast Mode
What is there to say, really? I love the whole collection but I use the LA-2A "gray" the most. It adds its characteristic "warmness" to pretty much everything it touches, especially vocals, and it can brign a bland mix back to life and give it a nice lil' punch. The Legacy version is decent but this collection is next level sh*t.
A. David
A wondrous density
Indeed, this one satisfies a tone that I have been searching for for sometime now. More than simply compress, it imparts a density and tone that works wonders on vocals and bass. Thank you UA!
S. Gibbons
FANTASTIC EMULATION
UAD nailed the tones of this compressor. We have one at the studio I work out of and the A/B comparison is outstanding. Love the warmness they add.
