This faithful universal audio reissue marks the rebirth of the teletronix la2a. And finally the number one spot goes to a piece of outboard that has surely graced more hit records than any other. While teletronix may have written the book on studio compressionlimiting with the legendary la2a in the 1960s, we just added a new chapter to that venerable tome the klark teknik kt2a. The la2a is generally considered the second most sought after compressor in the pro audio world the fairchild 670 is the most sought after and we have a 670 as well. Well done greg u are the boutique of the music industry. Today, the universal audio la2a is crafted to original specifications in scotts valley, california, handwired pointtopoint, with every component carefully selected for authenticity. Can anybody describe the audible differences between teletronix la2a s mounted with a utc ha100 transformer versus utc a10 transformer. The original amplifier of this type was designated the la1, invented by jim lawrence, an electrical engineer and founder of the teletronix engineering company in pasadena, california in 1958. This build based upon my la2a layout derived from the original universal audio teletronix 1968 la2a schematic is an accurate representation of the late 60s original, as well as the current reissue.
Lawrence ii, founder of the teletronix engineering company in pasadena, california in the early 1960s. The teletronix la2a is a classic tube compressor designed in the late 50s for and built under different manufacturers names over the years. History robert lang studios academy our clients magicmix studio our satellite studio book now welcome the studio equipment list about us. Slightly before that, waves had also released a collection of clabranded compressors, labelled the classic compressors bundle, featuring the cla76 urei 1176ln, cla2a teletronix la2a and cla3a urei la3a. Universal audio teletronix la2a classic leveling amplifier. Each unit is pointtopoint handwired and built in scotts valley, california, with every component carefully evaluated for authenticity. Much later i played around with the slate 1176 in vmr, but while i like how it sounds, it lacks the versatility of the uad and ik 1176. Bill putnam brought the two compressors into the universal audio fold then called united.
In 1967 putnam also acquired the rights to the teletronix la2a leveling amplifier, which took a radically different approach to compression and limiting. With painstaking care, every new la2a unit is pointtopoint handwired at universal audios custom shop in santa cruz, california, with every component carefully evaluated for authenticity. And by emulations, we really mean painstakingly accurate modelling of. Track and mix with a piece of audio recording history. The la2a leveling amplifier is an audio compressor invented by james f.
Universal audio la2a optical compressorlimiter vintage. A unique electrooptical attenuator system provides instantaneous gain reduction with no increase in harmonic distortion less than 0. It might be a great 1176, maybe the most realistic i wouldnt know, but to me it is a compressor i would use next to my uad 1176, not an alternative to the uad 1176. Ua teletronix la2a the undisputed legendary leveling amplifier limitercompressor of the proffesional recording world. First introduced in the early 1960s, the teletronix la2a leveling amplifier fast became a staple in the racks of recording and broadcast studios large and small. The model name la2a stands for leveling amplifier, version 2, first revision. The kt2a draws inspiration from the original teletronix la2a leveling amplifier, which was first produced in the early 1960s. Teletronix la2a history and how it works recording forums.
Record plant recording studios 1032 n sycamore avenue hollywood, ca 90038 phone 323 9939300 fax 323 4668835. Like the hardware, the la2a silver, la2a gray, and la2 models offer distinct variations in time constants, compression knee, headroom, distortion, program and frequency dependence, and more. The la3a solid state leveling amplifier is the solid state successor to the well known teletronix la2a. The teletronix la2a the la2a leveling amplifier is an audio gain reduction device, invented by james f. Its not every day we can say this, but our story begins with the titan missile program. Universal audios teletronix la2a classic leveling amplifier reissue provides the performance characteristics of the iconic original. The la2a was originally produced in the early 1960s by teletronix, which was later acquired by babcock electronics corporation. Precisely modelling the behaviour of the original compressorlimiter, cla 2a is enhanced by a preset selection designed by famed producer chris lordalge. Teletronix for sale in uk 5 secondhand teletronixs. Now audio aficionados of all means can afford the amazinglyprecise dynamics processing that has. Universal audios teletronix la2a hardware compressor.
View and download teletronix la2a instruction manual online. The teletronix la2a optical compressorlimiter vintage king. Originally introduced way back in 1965 by teletronix, the la2a went out of production in 1969, returning for a couple of. View online or download teletronix la2a instruction manual. Running on a hd 3 accel system with a wide array of plugins. With painstaking care, every new la2a unit is pointtopoint handwired in scotts valley, california, with every component carefully evaluated for authenticity. A unique tubedriven electrooptical attenuator system allows instantaneous gain reduction with no increase in harmonic distortion. Provisions are made for interconnection of the optical attenuators to provide equal gain reduction in both channels when two of the la2a leveling amplifiers are used for fm stereo broadcasting. This instruction book was reprinted from text composed by the. This is classic optocompressor, which uses electroluminescent panel and photoresistors to provide gain reduction. Since then, teletronix leveling amplifiers have been prized for their smooth musical sound, and audio engineers have utilised them at all stages of the recording process from tracking to mastering.
Teletronix was sold to babcock electronics of costa mesa, california in 1965. Please read the definition of as is below before buying. Invented by electrical engineer jim lawrence, the la2a derives much of its character from its t4. The teletronix la2a leveler collection puts three of the most coveted incarnations of the iconic teletronix processor at your fingertips. Teletronix la2a classic leveling amplifier universal audio. Painstaking care has been taken to ensure that every new la2a provides the performance characteristics of the original. Lawrence ii, founder of the teletronix engineering. Top 20 best compressors of all time page 20 of 20 attack. Three generations of teletronix leveling amplifiers. The la2a leveling amplifier will produce essentially instantaneous gain reduction of over 40 db with no increase in harmonic. If youre talking compression, the numbers 1176 and la2a come up more than most. Eastwest studios is the worlds premier recording facility.
The original teletronix la3a made its debutin 1969, instead of using tube designlike the la2a, it was solidstate instead,which had faster attack and releasecharacteristics that were noticeably. The original la2a is revered among audio pros and this handbuilt reincarnation faithfully matches its characteristics. Teletronix la2a leveling amplifier history of recording. The la2a leveling amplifier is an audio gain reduction device, invented by james f. Buy universal audio teletronix la2a classic leveling amplifier exacting recreation of original la2a hardware unit featuring true to original, pointtopoint hand wired, t4 electrooptical attenuator, instantaneous gain reduction with no hd, tubedriven, handbuilt in usa. Find great deals on ebay for teletronix la2a and universal audio la2a. A history of the teletronix la2a leveling amplifier universal.
My father purchased the product rights and the name teletronix from babcock engineering in 1967, folding it into his studio electronics corporation, shortly before he changed the name to urei. Universal audio la2a classic leveling amplifier guitar center. As detailed in our interview with bill jr, the la2as magic lies in its optical sensor circuit. In this chapter, were going to look at three differentcompressors that arent part of the core bundle,that you can purchase separately. This system permits up to 40 db of instantaneous gain reduction, yet causes no wave. Universal audios 1176 and la2a primary colours of compression.
Insulated from the recording studio changes, universal audio was thriving upstairs in the first hollywood building under the new name united recording electronics industries urei. Shop for the universal audio la2a classic leveling amplifier and receive free. This instruction book was reprinted from text composed by the original. The attenuation is controlled by the amplitude of the la2a input signal. A history of the teletronix la2a leveling amplifier. This compressor is completely hand built and its design has remained pretty much the same for more than half a century. Universal audio la2a optical compressorlimiter vintage king. The manufacturing and design company had acquired the patent. The modern telectronix la2a reissue, one of the two most highly regarded compressors in audio history, both by universal audio, is handbuilt, handwired and painstakingly evaluated for authenticity before it leaves the factory. Faithful to the original in design, manufacturing, and performance.
News music art books mag enmore audio clocked needle in the hay. This is accomplished by interconnecting terminals 6 and 7 of the la2a leveling amplifiers. Located in the heart of hollywood, the studios have given rise to some of the most celebrated music of the last fifty years, from frank sinatra to the rolling stones, and has produced more grammywinning albums than any other studio in the world. No expense has been spared to bring that classic sound to your recordings. Teletronix tlm 21703 general purpose high speed this is the hardware version of the teletronix uad classics range la2a. It might be a great 1176, maybe the most realistic i wouldnt know, but to me it is a compressor i would use next.
631 705 462 431 1377 890 230 1231 1059 185 539 218 1287 978 1277 31 48 1244 1353 400 1271 26 318 1292 16 1304 902 591 689 1112