Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection

The Ultimate Collection Of The Most Revered Optical Compressor Ever

Now compatible with any soundcard on Mac and PC

With its gentle, program dependent optical compression, and meticulously designed tube amplifier, the LA-2A is the go-to compressor for professional mixers around the world. In 2001, Universal Audio set the standard in analog emulation with the original UAD LA‑2A plug‑in.

Today, UA’s engineers have redesigned the LA-2A plug-in with more obsessive detail. The LA-2A Classic Leveler Plug-In Collection features immaculate models of three highly sought-after LA-2A units, giving you the most authentic emulations ever of this iconic compressor.

The Teletronix Story

Teletronix founder Jim Lawrence first used photocells for controlling audio gain in the early 1960s. His ingenious optical compression design was a technological breakthrough, far surpassing the stability and transparency of earlier circuits. Universal Audio founder M.T. ”Bill” Putnam later purchased this patented technology, continuing to manufacture the LA-2A for years to come.

Three Historical Units

The Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection puts three of the most coveted incarnations of the iconic Teletronix processor at your fingertips. Like the hardware, the LA-2A Silver, LA-2A Gray, and LA-2 models offer distinct variations in time constants, compression knee, headroom, distortion, program and frequency dependence, and more.

LA-2A Silver & Gray

With a brushed aluminum panel and original T4B gain reduction module, this cherished late-1960s “Silver” version of the LA-2A, manufactured by Bill Putnam, is perhaps the most flexible of the three plug-ins in the collection. Its fast time constant makes it suitable for the widest variety of program material, including transient-rich sources like drums and percussion. Jim Lawrence’s original mid-1960s “Gray” version the LA-2A maintains a more average time constant, providing a range of “medium-speed” compression.

The Original LA-2

The exceptionally rare, early 1960s LA-2 unit preceded the LA-2A by several years. It provides the slowest response and a unique “mellowed” sound due to 50 years of luminescent panel aging inside the T4 module. Use the LA-2 with legato tempos and vocal sources for a transparency and sublime mood unlike any other compressor.

Features

• Use any audio interface, with both UAD Native and Apollo Realtime/UAD-2 versions included
• Track and mix with three historic versions of revered Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifiers, each with its own distinctive sonic attributes
• Record through a Teletronix LA-2A/LA-2 in real time with Apollo interfaces
• Dial-in ideal optical compression textures for vocals, bass, drums, and more
• Harness presets from LA-2A users Ross Hogarth, Darrell Thorp, and Vance Powell

Versions Included with your Purchase

• UAD Native: Runs on your Mac or PC without any UA hardware
• Apollo Realtime & UAD-2: Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD-2 hardware

System Requirements

• macOS 10.15 Catalina, 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura
• Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit only Editions)
• Intel, AMD, or Apple silicon processor
• Internet connection to download software and authorize UADx plug-ins
• Free iLok account with iLok Cloud or iLok USB (2nd generation or higher)
• A physical iLok dongle is NOT required to activate this product

DAW Compatibility

• Pro Tools 2022 (AAX)
• Logic Pro (Audio Units)
• Ableton Live 11 (VST 3, Audio Units)
• Cubase 12 (VST 3)
• Studio One 5 (VST 3)
• LUNA Recording System

You can activate this software on an online system (using iLok Cloud) or an offline system (using an iLok USB):

1. Online: an active internet connection and a FREE iLok account are required to authorise UAD Plug-ins using iLok Cloud

2. Offline: you will need a physical iLok USB (2nd generation or higher) to authorise this software

Important note: UAD plugins do not work in Apple's Garageband DAW