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.
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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 https://www.doctormix.com/blog/la2a-hardware-vs-plugin
The Urei 1176 Compressor full review https://www.doctormix.com/blog/urei-universal-audio-1176-compressor
How to mix Drums, Bass and Vocals full video workshop https://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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