True to the original design, uas famed tubeamplified t4 electrooptical compressor. The la2a leveling amplifier has only a single gain stage and is one of the simplest compressors to operate with two knobs. Examples include cubases vintage compressor mkiii or the yamaha 276. Try and you will understand that you have found the right place. This instruction book was reprinted from text composed by the original manufacturer complete with errors and. The best gear advice always comes from those who use it the most. Top it all off with chris lordalges personal presets. Learn about the variety of compressors compressors explained at.
Axial compressors are widely used in gas turbines, such as jet engines, high speed ship engines, and small scale power stations. Its not a clone, but if youre on a tight budget, it is a tube powered opto compressor. Compression is commonly used in sound recording and reproduction, broadcasting, live sound reinforcement and in some instrument amplifiers. With classleading audio conversion, two unison mic preamps and a suite of onboard universal audio plugins, the arrow is an excellent desktop audio interface for mobile musicians, djs and producers. And finally the number one spot goes to a piece of outboard that has surely graced more hit records. Many people also like software emulations of fet compressors such as the urei 1176 on guitar because they can be set to sound aggressive and even add some saturation at high settings. The fact that it offers 40 db of gain from input to output allows it to also be used as a preamp and compressor. Compressors are used in virtually every major process plant. A history of the teletronix la2a leveling amplifier universal audio. A tubebased compressor, the la2a features handwired components and two simple. Track and mix with a piece of audio recording history.
Save on the la2a classic leveling amplifier from universal audio. Universal audio la2a classic leveling amplifier guitar center. 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. Mastering quality compression and limiting, at a price point that makes the kt2a equally at home in your studio and your live rack.
Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with 2 inputs and 2 outputs from universal audio. Universal audio teletronix la2a classic leveling amplifier. Here is a list of the capacitors and the type used on the original la2areissue. Some people find learning how to use compression problematic. Compressor effects pedals are also used often by guitar players and youll find many models in this catalog from todays top effects pedal manufacturers. They sit atop the family tree of compressors, spawning countless tributes. Building on a classic the kt2a draws inspiration from the original teletronix la2a leveling amplifier, which was first produced in the early 1960s. Bill shared stories of the early history of universal audio, the origins of the la2a compressor and, thanks to its tube and opticalbased design.
Compressor plugin effect modeled after the classic la2a leveling amplifier. The la2a was an optical compressor with a tube amplification stage. Cakewalk ca2a ttype leveling amplifier software download. Annotation this book examines the full spectrum of compressor types, how they operate, how to control them, and how operating conditions can significantly impact their performance. Digital dynamic range compressor design a tutorial. Mix your left and right to a new mono track recorded separately in the daw taking care not to clip the result. Faithfully modeled after one of the most sought after studio compressors in history, the ca2a ttype leveling amplifier puts the silky, smooth sound of this highly desirable unit right into any vst or aucompatible daw. Discussed in detail are the influence of pressure, temperature, molecular weight, specific heat ratio, compression ratio, speed, vane position, and volume bottles. New updated la2a layout and documentation by gambaholic. I only have the analog classics bundle, but theyre all legacy versions. Kenny gioia is back, this time giving you the history and application of all the. That being said, theyre pretty different in both design and function. Teletronix la2a history and how it works recording forums.
In this section of mechanical books you will find compressor handbook pdf for direct downlod. A tubebased compressor, the la2a features handwired components and two simple controls. The compressor handbook compiled by paul hanlon packs all the answers on design procedures, practical application, and maintenance of compressors. Universal audio la2a classic leveling amplifier music. Cheap la2a alternative gearslutz gearslutz pro audio. Top 20 best compressors of all time page 20 of 20 attack. Ask any budding recordist to name a famous compressor and theyll. The fairchild compressor is an exceptionally rare piece of gear. Unfollow teletronix la2a to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. I wouldnt use an la2a across a stereo mix but if you are committed you could have your tech mod the la2a to have a separate side chain input easily done especially if its a diy unit. If youre talking compression, the numbers 1176 and la2a come up more than most. Universal audio arrow audio interface guitar center. Compression theory is explained with worked examples and every type of compressor is examined, providing a practical guide to selection.
When i was looking for an la2a on a budget, i bought a plugin waves. Best guitar effects is a community for people who love making music with guitar, pedals, and effects. Besides this, is a convenient place for downloading free pdf, ebooks,users guide, manuals,notices and sheets. But heres the solution there are only five key parameters that matter when it comes to compression. In 1967 studio electronics eventually renamed urei, picked up babcocks broadcast division, including the teletronix brand. You dont have to scour piles of technical literature for compressor answers any longer.
This is a must watch video for anybody who is looking at getting a thorough understanding of what compression is, where it comes from, and what it. The teletronix leveling amplifier will automatically reduce audio peaks which might otherwise overdrive broadcast or recording equipment. Modeled on the legendary electrooptical tube compressor, the cla2a emulates the originals smooth, frequencydependent behaviors that have made it a favorite of engineers everywhere. Many have been painstakingly maintained for the 30 years that they have remained in use since production stopped. Like the mid60s classic, the cla2a sounds great on guitars and bass, and really shines on vocals. Shop for the universal audio la2a classic leveling amplifier and receive free. Smooth, natural, and eminently musical, the legendary la2as tubedriven electrooptical attenuation circuit delivers instant gain reduction with zero increase in harmonic distortion, massaging audio like no other compressor youve ever used. Universal audio la2a optical compressorlimiter vintage. While auditioning different classic compressor emulations in isolation is a valuable exercise in itself, what a lot of small. One last option comes from anthony demaria labs, who have created a vacuum tube mono compressor limiter known as the adl cl. This prompted two limited edition reissues one in the 1970s, and one in the 1980s and then a full resurrection of the la2a in 1999 by universal audio. The la2a can be hit hard to smooth off the biggest peaks before running the signal. History of the universal audio la2a leveling amplifier with ceo.
The la2a leveling amplifier is an audio compressor invented by james f. Get a low price and free shipping on thousands of items. Fab goes over the history of compression and plays examples of different instruments with and without compression, including laying some drums off to tape. Compressionlimiting dynamic range processors for sale ebay. Universal audio la2a tube compressorlimiter features. Universal audio la610 mk ii classic tube recording. Still built today by universal audio, the la2a is a handwired optical tube compressor. Easily one of the most sought after compressors ever built is the teletronix la2a.
For those who arent familiar with compressor effects, they are used to narrow a signals dynamic range and compress its peaks so that louder volumes are quieter and quieter volumes are louder. Universal audios 1176 and la2a primary colours of compression. For over 50 years the teletronix la2a has been revered for its smooth. This instruction book was reprinted from text composed by the. There are several different brands you can substitute in for these, sprague orange drops are often used in place of the ceramics. The teletronix la2a optical compressorlimiter vintage king. Find great deals on ebay for la2a compressor and tube compressor. In this guide i want to teach you exactly how to use a compressor. A compressor after a wah can be a good thing some wahs are just louder so if you want your wah sound to be the same volume as your guitar sound, a compressor after the wah can help tame it a bit too and that would be true with any pedal that is overly loud or possibly, too quiet when engaged. Universal audios teletronix la2a classic leveling amplifier reissue provides the performance characteristics of the iconic original. The la2a leveling amplifier will produce essentially instantaneous gain reduction of over 40 db with no increase in harmonic distortion. There are 2 versions of each layout and there are layouts for the ua la2a and the urei 68 both with a companion heater wire layout as you did.
It uses an electroluminescent panel, together with a cadmiumsulfide lightdependent resistor, to provide gain reduction. I wanted to have at least one good compressor emulation and this seemed like a great choice. This handbook fulfils the information needs of anyone working with compressors, including manufacturers, specifiers, users and engineering students. So lets find out more about the unit that set the standard for compression. Using this site will enable you to find pdf documents and books from search engines quite simply and quickly. Straightforward in its design, and initially intended for broadcast applications, the la2a quickly became standard equipment in studios worldwide. Like the la2a, the 3a offers only a pair of knobs with which to play. Get the guaranteed best price on channel strips like the universal audio la610 mk ii classic tube recording channel at musicians friend. Best teletronix la2a compressor pedal archives best. 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.
A history of the teletronix la2a leveling amplifier. At the time, its electroluminescent optical gain reduction was quite revolutionary. Top 20 best compressors of all time top 20 best compressors of all time. Reverbs guide to audio compressor types reverb news. Compressor action occurs from the breakaway point at 30 db input and up to 20 db, at which point the curve becomes horizontal to exhibit limiting action. They do, however, require several rows of airfoils to achieve large pressure rises making them complex and expensive relative to other designs e. Lets dig into the history of this hefty piece of steel, circuitry and valves that set the standard for compression for decades to come. We welcome the addition of additional documents to this page. Lawrence ii, founder of the teletronix engineering company in pasadena, california in the early 1960s. Teletronix was sold to babcock electronics of costa mesa, california in 1965. The benchmark guide for compressor technology pros.
Report broken links to contact us compressors introduction download a practical guide to compressor technology second edition download atlas copco compressed air manual 8th. That is, until engineers began to miss the slow, unique compression of the la2a and prices for used units started to climb. The t4 is a cell that has nearly infinite resistance in the dark, but light hitting the surface of it causes a drop in resistance, allowing it to be the control in the circuit for gain reduction. An improved audio compressorlimiter system has been developed by making use. News music art books mag enmore audio clocked needle in. The following scans of audio equipment manuals, brochures, catalogs, reports and other documents are presented for reference use. Perhaps the most famous example of an optical compressor is the teletronix developed la2a, a tubebased design that uses the military designed t4 photoresistor.
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