

It features a Mix control for parallel compression as well as an input for sidechain compression. It also offers options for look-ahead compression for a more modern sound, as well as selectable RMS and peak modes for a variety of sonic options. The MixPressor2 features fully variable attack and release times, including automatic settings. It emulates the classic characteristics of valve and opto-compressors as well as modern compression designs. PSP’s MixPressor2 is easily the most advanced LA-2A-style compressor available. UAD Teletronix LA-2A – Drums UAD Teletronix LA-2A – Bass UAD Teletronix LA-2A – Vocals Each model offers a slightly different take on the iconic sound.įor the purposes of this shootout, we used the “classic” leveling amplifier.įor a long time you needed some form of UAD DSP hardware to support these plugins, but now Universal Audio offers native versions that can run on any DAW and with any audio interface. In addition to the standard LA-2A Classic, Universal Audio also offers the LA-2A Classic Leveler Plugin Collection, which features emulations of the original “Gray” Teletronix version, the reissued “Silver” UREI version, and the exceptionally rare predecessor to the LA-2A, the LA-2. While it doesn’t offer any new features, it does an excellent job of capturing the LA-2A’s signature sound and analog warmth.

Universal Audio offers one of the most accurate LA-2A emulations available, which makes sense since they own the patent. Here are unprocessed versions of the three audio files … Drums Bass Vocals 1. We put some of our favorite LA-2A emulations to the test on drums, bass and vocals with approximately 3 to 5 dB of gain reduction. The initial release time is fixed at 60 milliseconds for 50% of the release, and anywhere from one to 15 seconds for the full release, depending on the program material.ĭue to the largely automatic nature of the LA-2A, it features very simple controls: Peak-Reduction knob, Gain Control for make-up gain, and a Limit/Compress switch to adjust the compression ratio. The average attack time is fixed at 10 milliseconds, but the LA-2A’s signature sound comes from its unique release characteristic. The T4 optical attenuator is entirely program-dependent, allowing the compression ratio and release time to vary greatly based on the source material.

The LA-2A was the first compressor to use a tube-driven optical attenuator to achieve gain reduction.

In this article, we’ll break down some of the most popular LA-2A emulations to help you determine which one is right for you. Revered for its rich, warm tone and smooth, musical compression characteristics, the LA-2A has been a favorite amongst engineers for over 50 years. The LA-2A is arguably one of the most popular compressors ever invented.
