Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection (Digital product)

Native / Apollo - Runs either natively on your macOS or Windows computer or on the DSP of your Apollo interface. Works with or without UA hardware.

The LA-2A, with its gentle, program-dependent optical compression and meticulously designed tube amplifier, remains the go-to compressor for professional mixers worldwide. In 2001, Universal Audio set the standard in analog emulation with the original UAD LA-2A plug-in, and now, UA’s engineers have reimagined it with even greater detail.

The LA-2A Classic Leveler Plug-In Collection features immaculate models of three highly sought-after LA-2A units, providing you with the most authentic emulations ever of this iconic compressor.

The Teletronix Story: Teletronix founder Jim Lawrence pioneered the use of photocells for controlling audio gain in the early 1960s. His ingenious optical compression design was a groundbreaking technological achievement, offering far superior stability and transparency compared to earlier circuits. Universal Audio founder M.T. “Bill” Putnam later acquired this patented technology, continuing the manufacture of the LA-2A for many years.

Three Historical Units at Your Fingertips: The Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection puts three of the most coveted incarnations of this iconic processor right at your disposal. Much like their hardware counterparts, the LA-2A Silver, LA-2A Gray, and LA-2 models each offer distinct variations in time constants, compression knee, headroom, distortion, and program and frequency dependence, giving you a diverse palette of sonic characteristics.

LA-2A Silver & Gray: The cherished late-1960s “Silver” version of the LA-2A, manufactured by Bill Putnam, features a brushed aluminum panel and the original T4B gain reduction module. This particular plug-in in the collection is arguably the most flexible of the three due to its fast time constant, making it suitable for the widest variety of program material, including transient-rich sources like drums and percussion. Jim Lawrence’s original mid-1960s “Gray” version of the LA-2A maintains a more average time constant, providing a range of “medium-speed” compression that offers a balanced response.

The Original LA-2: The exceptionally rare, early 1960s LA-2 unit predated the LA-2A by several years. It provides the slowest response in the collection and boasts a truly unique “mellowed” sound, attributed to 50 years of natural luminescent panel aging within its T4 module. Utilize the LA-2 with legato tempos and vocal sources to achieve a transparency and sublime mood unlike any other compressor, adding a touch of vintage magic to your tracks.

Features:

• Track and mix with three historic versions of the revered Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifiers, each meticulously modeled with its own distinctive sonic attributes, providing unparalleled versatility.
• Record through a Teletronix LA-2A/LA-2 in real time when paired with Apollo interfaces, allowing for zero-latency tracking with the authentic sound of these legendary units.
• Dial-in ideal optical compression textures for a wide range of sources including vocals, bass, drums, and more, effortlessly shaping your sound with classic warmth and smooth gain reduction.
• Harness expertly crafted presets from renowned LA-2A users such as Ross Hogarth, Darrell Thorp, and Vance Powell, giving you professional starting points and inspiration for your mixes.