Teletronix (Universal Audio) LA-2A

The Teletronix LA-2A is a classic tube compressor designed in the late 50’s for and built under different manufacturer’s names over the years: Teletronix, Urei, and today Universal Audio. This compressor is completely hand built and its design has remained pretty much the same for more than half a century.

Although the unit was first aimed at broadcasting, its extremely musical sound and its ability to compress a lot without obvious artefacts made it very popular for music recording.  Admired by producers and audio engineers for decades, this tube-driven electro-optical compressor but has become a favourite for vocals, bass, guitar and more.

The LA-2A is know for its flattering sound and for beefing things up, but also for delivering great saturation when overdriven, as exemplified on Jack White’s vocals on White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army.

While the attack time is fixed at 10ms, the release time is dependent on what is fed into it: initially the release time is about 60 milliseconds for fifty percent release, and 0.5 to 5 seconds for the remaining fifty percent. The complexity of the LA-2A’s release time is one of the characteristics that make this compressor so unique.

Related articles:

The LA2A vs Plugin
http://www.doctormix.com/blog/la2a-hardware-vs-plugin

The Urei 1176 Compressor full review
http://www.doctormix.com/blog/urei-universal-audio-1176-compressor

How to mix Drums, Bass and Vocals full video workshop
http://www.doctormix.com/blog/how-to-mix-drums-bass-and-vocals

SPECS:
Gain Reduction: up to 40dB
Attack Time: 10ms
Release: Variable
Input Impedance: 600 ohm balanced
Output Impedance: 600 ohm balanced
Tubes: (2) 12AX7A, (1) 12BH7A, (1) 6AQ5

– PRICE (new):
UK = £2’600
USA = $3’500
EUROPE = €3’300

– PRICE (used):
UK = none found
USA = Between $2000 and $3000
EUROPE = Around  €2’500

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