Universal Audio LA-2A (Optical Tube Compressor) (Official Japanese Product) (Universal Audio)

The basics of compression. The history of modern recording.
A timeless classic that shines brightly in the history of music.

A microphone is set up in the studio booth and a recorder is turned on to capture the artist's brilliant performance.
Advances in electronics technology have made it possible for us humans to enjoy music performed by first-class musicians at any time. This can be considered a cultural milestone for humanity.
And behind those early recordings are the engineers who created and operated the recording equipment.
This was an era before computers and digital circuits. Naturally, it's obvious that the latest recording equipment is superior in terms of spec performance. However, among the recording equipment of the past, there are some legendary machines that magically controlled the characteristics of classic components such as vacuum tubes, transformers, and coils, tuned to produce a wonderfully musical sound.

The LA-2A is a compressor with an innovative optical gain control circuit designed by Jim Lawrence of Teletronix in the mid-1960s. Thanks to its excellent performance, including the quick, distortion-free, clear sound unique to optical technology, a flat frequency response, and an excellent signal-to-noise ratio, it quickly became a standard in commercial studios and was responsible for the creation of many classic albums. Teletronix was later absorbed by Bill Putnam's UREI (Universal Audio), and the LA-2A became the precursor to the solid-state version of the same machine, the LA-3A compressor.

The Universal Audio LA-2A is a faithful reproduction of the classic LA-2A compressor, the "basic compressor," faithfully honed to its original specifications. Unlike modern recording equipment with its completely black box construction, this model retains classic features, such as a hinged design under the front panel for easy access to the interior even when rack-mounted (though the quality meets today's strict standards, so frequent adjustments are unnecessary), exposed vacuum tubes on the rear panel, and terminal-style input and output jacks (plus, don't worry, modern XLR jacks are also available). While more time-consuming than a printed circuit board, the point-to-point hand-wired design offers superior sound quality, and audio equipment connoisseurs will be pleased.
Of course, its natural, classic compression sound is a timeless reference that makes it the "basic" sound. Simple controls deliver reliable results. A modern vintage sound ready for immediate use.