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Product Description
The Teletronix LA-2A is one of the most iconic compressor/limiters of all time. Its compression provides signature warmth, especially detectable on the human voice. has made it one of the most popular designs ever made. The complex physics of how it compresses an audio signal is matched only by the complexity of all the revisions it has undergone since its creation.
ELECTRO-OPTICAL ATTENUATION CIRCUIT
The standout feature of the LA-2A is its electro-optical attenuation circuit, which is based around the acclaimed T4A photocell. Triggered by light rather than pure electrical voltage, the LA-2A is fully program-dependent, delivering smooth, musical compression for any source. The tube-driven amplifier circuitry adds a touch of warmth while retaining a clean output signal with extremely low THD.
GREAT ON EVERYTHING
Versatility is a key strength of the LA-2A, making it suitable for a wide range of instruments and genres. It excels at clean, transparent leveling for vocals and bass guitars, but it’s also capable of delivering a warm, harmonically rich sound when pushed harder. This flexibility makes the LA-2A a solid choice for almost any task, from subtle leveling to more aggressive compression.
LA-2A VERSION HISTORY
The LA-2A Leveling Amplifier has a long history stretching back over half a century. During that time the company changed hands and the model went through a variety of incarnations. Despite these several changes, the LA-2A has remained one of the most popular tools in the recording studio, beloved by engineers for its program-dependent compression and ease of use. Beautiful for vocals, bass, guitars, overheads, drums, etc.
Essentially there are six different versions of the LA-2A, based on various design elements, parts, outward appearance, and parent companies. The six revisions can best be classified as: Revision 1 (the original); Revisions 2A, 2B and 2C (all inter-related in various ways); Reissue 1 and Reissue 2. The first four versions kept consecutive serial numbers, while the two reissues had their own numbering scheme. The final, seventh version, appeared when Universal Audio was resurrected by Bill Putnam Jr., and the LA-2A made its modern reappearance in the line of "UA Classics".
Briefly, the differences are most easily classified by company ownership:
- Revision 1: the original, produced in 1962 by Teletronix under Jim Lawrence, inventor of the LA-2A
- Revision 2A: Teletronix patent is acquired by Babcock Electronics
- Revision 2B: Teletronix patent is licensed from Babcock Electronics by Bill Putnam Sr./Studio Electronics
- Revision 2C: Teletronix patent is acquired from Babcock Electronics by Bill Putnam Sr./UREI
- Reissue 1: late 70s reissue by UREI/United Recording Electronics Industries
- Reissue 2: late 80s reissue after UREI is acquired by Harman Electronics/JBL
This unit is a silver face version, dubbed Revision 2B, with the following features:
- Serial numbers 1001-1200 (approx.)
- Faceplate is brushed aluminum with red "Teletronix" logo
- Teletronix patent licensed from Babcock Electronics by Bill Putnam's Studio Electronics Corp. of North Hollywood
- Type/Serial No. on a separate metal plate
- Input transformer remains UTC A-100X
- Limit/Compress switch on the back