TELETRONIX® LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier
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True to the original design, UA’s famed tube-amplified T4 electro-optical compressor.
For over 50 years the Teletronix LA-2A has been revered for its smooth, natural, musical compression. WIth its unique tube-driven electro-optical attenuator system that allows instantaneous gain reduction with no increase in harmonic distortion, the LA-2A massages signals like no other compressor ever made.
Now You Can:
Dial-in legendary optical tube compression textures for vocals, bass, drums, and more
Record your tracks through vintage UA, "handmade in the USA," circuits
Easily add iconic warmth and tube limiting with simple, easy-to-use controls
Track and mix with a piece of audio recording history
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.
The Real Deal
Universal Audio’s Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier reissue provides the performance characteristics of the iconic original. With painstaking care, every new LA-2A unit is point-to-point handwired 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. Demand the original. Accept no copy.
“It’s very hard to go wrong with an LA-2A. It just has that sound.”
– Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Jónsi)Customer Reviews
A. Kovacs
June 16, 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...
Read MoreE. Frank
June 17, 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 MoreJ. Cummins
March 14, 2018
Wow !
The magic sauce has landed ! Perfect in so many ways...........
Read MoreG. Mentesh
November 15, 2017
The most amazing gear in my rack!
Even though it is the new and not the vintage version (I heard so much about referencing the versions..) it's still blows my mind and adds an amazing sub harmonic magic to every channel...
Read More -
Key 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
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 microseconds
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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Customer Reviews
Teletronix® LA-2A
A. Kovacs
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 recorded all vocals on our latest album this way: the record went platinum, won Best Rock Album in Hungary and gets a lot of airplay. That's the way, aha-aha, I like it.
E. Frank
While the LA2A doesn't work for everyone, when it does it is killer. This is by far my favorite compressor I own.
J. Cummins
Wow !
The magic sauce has landed ! Perfect in so many ways...........
R. Woitowitsch
Awesome!
Transparently Awesome! Just get it!
G. Mentesh
The most amazing gear in my rack!
Even though it is the new and not the vintage version (I heard so much about referencing the versions..) it's still blows my mind and adds an amazing sub harmonic magic to every channel you're putting it on. since I got it it's my vocals, bass tracking go-to.. (chained after my 1176 compressor)
always the right choice for my mixes as well.. can work almost on anything. pure joyz. tatar
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z. tatar
65-40630
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A. Otuzbir
TELETRONIX LA-2A
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T. Hinterholzinger
There is nothing to improve on an already perfect design...
The LA2A is plain magic. Just try to compress a voiceover with a low male voice, and compare the hardware vs. any software modelling solution. You'll see... Same goes to electric bass... And if anybody tells yoou that optos are not for drums, try it on bassdrum just once, and the judge on your own!
N. Franks
I'll say it a million times.
This is the plug you want to get out the gate when you start UAD. It's utility. Between this and the Fairchild are $. The others are as well but this will truly show you the epitome of UAD sound and power. Just a magical little plug
a. Cortez
It ain't the same without the LA2A!
This vintage limiter/compressor is by far the best around. The way way the vocals. Sound so warm and the way they melt on a record is Extra ordinary, I run my neaumann mic thru my Avalon 737 to he LA2a and the results are very impressive . I don't think I could ever record anything with out it. I adds that extra element to every recording it's a must buy if you want that radio sound and clarity .
M. Giorgi
Simply the best
I can't imagine recording a voice without that compressor. I used it with a preamp neve 1272 and a sony c800g microphone...what else ?!
I. Duarte
The best ever !!!!
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. lolD. Ralph
Beautiful
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 made also and feels like a tank.
I use it for guitars mainly, but also some percussion, pretty much everything i send it comes back better.
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!J. Hendicott
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 too soft for rap vocals but incredilbe everywhere else.
Oh yeh, and guitars :)
