Universal Audio LA-2A
Universal Audio

Teletronix® LA-2A

True to the original design, UA’s famed tube-amplified T4 electro-optical compressor.
Product Highlights
  • True to Original
  • Point-to-Point Hand Wired
  • T4 Electro-Optical Attenuator
  • Instantaneous Gain Reduction with no HD
  • Tube-Driven

  • Overview
  • Tech Specs

The Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier from Universal Audio appears to be a rather primitive compression device. It has only two rotary controls, one for "Gain" and one for "Peak Reduction." However, behind this plain facade lies a unique electro-optical attenuator system that allows for instantaneous gain reduction with no increase in harmonic distortion.

A tube-based compressor, the original LA-2A featured hand-wired components and an electro-luminescent optical gain reduction device that provided the fast attack necessary for broadcast applications. Additionally, the cadmium-sulfide photo-cells provided a very natural "two-stage" release which resulted in a compression characteristic more transparent than the other compressors of its day. To this day, the LA-2A delivers a trademark sound treasured by engineers worldwide.

Painstaking care has been taken to ensure that every new Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier provides the performance and characteristics of the original. Each unit is hand built and each component carefully evaluated for authenticity.

Function Compressor
Number of Channels Single
Inputs 1 x XLR
Jones Barrier Terminal
Outputs 1 x XLR
Jones Barrier Terminal
Maximum Input Level +16dB
Compression Threshold Dependent on "Gain Reduction" control
Compression Ratio Dependent on "Gain Reduction" control
Attack Time 10 milliseconds
Release Time Approximately 0.06 seconds for 50% release, 0.5 to 5 seconds for complete release depending upon the amount of previous reduction
Maximum Output Level +16dBm peaks
Frequency Response 30Hz to 15kHz, +0/-1dB
Noise 75dB below +10dBm output level
Specialties True to the original in design, manufacturing and performance

Dimensions (LxWxH)
  • 19" x 7 1/4" x 5 1/4" (3U)