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Designed by Brad Plunkett in 1969, the UREI LA-3A audio leveler is a cult classic compressor known for its quick response and subtle harmonic distortion.
Plunket, who invented the wah pedal and worked on the 1176LN with Bill Putnum Sr., sought to combine vintage opto-style compression with the quickness, clarity, and punch of solid-state designs.
Originally badged as the Teletronix LA-3A, the ‘3A was designed as a smaller, less expensive solid-state version of the tube-driven LA-2A. Both units used the same T4B optical attenuator for compression, which gives the LA-2A its signature smooth, natural sound.
With both the LA-2A and ‘3A, the attack and release times are determined by the T4B. However, thanks to its solid-state components, the LA-3A uses a slower attack time for small transients and a faster attack time for larger transients.
Like its older sibling, the LA-3A features simple front-panel controls for Gain and Peak Reduction, which control the amount of processing and signal level.
In addition to sharing components with the LA-2A, the LA-3A also incorporates design concepts from the 1176LN Limiting Amplifier. Sharing many of the same components, both compressors deliver the same quick attack and musical compression.
According to Universal Audio Product Designer Will Shanks, “The LA-3A is fast and bright. It opened up uses that vintage levelers like the LA-2A were not as well-suited for – cymbals and room mics, as well as close mic’d snares, kicks, and toms.”
In addition to drums and percussion, many producers and engineers rely on the LA-3A’s colorful midrange character to help guitars, bass, and even vocals cut through dense mixes – especially in rock-based genres.
The UREI LA-3A sold well for over a decade before being quietly discontinued in 1981. In 2005, Bill Putnum Jr. picked up where his father left off when Universal Audio reissued the LA-3A as part of the brand’s UA Classics line.
An extract replica of the original, the Universal Audio LA-3A introduced a few modern upgrades, including a front-panel Comp/Limit “gain mod” switch, XLR connectors for the inputs and outputs, and a modern IEC power line connector.
While UA stopped production on the LA-3A reissues several years ago, you can sometimes find them for sale in our Vintage & Used section, alongside vintage units like the one photographed here.
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