This is not a regularly stocked item. Please allow for delayed delivery times.
Analog fanatics, rejoice! Universal
Audio has announced the
LA-3A Classic
Audio Leveler - an exacting clone of the classic solid-state opto-
compressor first launched in 1969! Plus, the
LA-3A Dual Leveling
Amplifier gives you TWO LA-3As in a
2U rackmount space. The new UA
LA-3A is a painstaking and exact replica right down to the original board layout. This version of the
LA-3A has just three modern enhancements that depart from the original design for easy modern studio integration.
A classic studio tool reborn
When the original
LA-3A Leveling
Amplifier made its debut it was a significant departure from the tube design of the Teletronix
LA-2A. The solid-state
LA-3A opto-
compressor incorporated components and design concepts from the Bill Putnam-designed
1176LN Limiting
Amplifier. The
LA-3A immediately became a studio workhorse and is still used today by those fortunate enough to have one. It's a favorite of engineers and producers worldwide for its unique
compression characteristics and sonic signature. Now Universal
Audio - the descendant of UREI and United Recording - has produced a "new"
LA-3A Dual
Limiter that is in almost every way an exact replica of the original.
Solid-state opto-compressor for thick, chunky tracks
Just like the original, the Universal
Audio LA-3A Dual delivers a unique character to your tracks, thanks to its electro-optical
attenuator. The
LA-3A became one of the signature sounds of 1970s rock and roll, adding just the right edge on electric guitars and handling vocals beautifully.
Includes the design elements and components of the original
The Universal
Audio Classics reissue of the
LA-3A meticulously retains all the internal and external qualities of the original: the same simple control set,
Class A design, and the T4 electro-optical
attenuator, which is the source of the
LA-3A Dual's program dependent
compression. It also retains the
2U half-
rack design, and comes complete with a single-unit
rack assembly - no additional kit is necessary. All the original rear panel connections and controls are also maintained. In addition, the widely used "
LA-3A gain mod" is added as an additional switch for maximum studio versatility. The
LA-3A Dual features custom reissue UA transformers, a discrete,
Class-A amplifier offering up to 50dB
gain, and the noted design of ex-UREI engineer, Dennis Fink.
Enhancements for modern studio use
While Universal
Audio remained faithful to the original
LA-3A design, a few enhancements were added to adapt this studio classic to modern demands. UA added
XLR inputs and outputs to complement the original
barrier strip. The
LA-3A Dual utilizes
IEC power for modern international compliance. Plus, as mentioned above, a rear-panel switch was added for the popular "
Gain Mod" option that was often soldered to the boards of original
LA-3A.