Teletronix® LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection
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The ultimate collection of the most
revered optical compressor ever.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.Included Versions
UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.Apollo Realtime & UAD‑2
Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD‑2 hardware.UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.
- 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
TAKE A LISTEN
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.
“This sounds exactly like I hoped it would — real, warm, and 100% fantastic.”
– Vance Powell (Jack White, The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs)
“Turn up the input gain on the new UAD LA-2 plug-in and listen to the life it brings to your track. One word. Wow.”
– Darrell Thorp (Beck, Radiohead, Charlotte Gainsbourg)
“The LA-2A Classic Leveler Collection opens up a wonderful sonic palette that's rich and a pleasure to use.”
– Carl Glanville (U2, Billy Joel, Counting Crows)
“The UAD LA-2A Collection has the best models of the real hardware I've ever heard. It's like owning the real deal, that will never require a tech guy.”
– Jeff Juliano (John Mayer, Shinedown, Train)
“The UAD LA-2A is the first thing in my vocal chain. It brings unmatched attitude to lead vocals and sets the tone for songs.”
– Ivan Barias (Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Estelle)
“I'm flipping out with the new UAD LA-2A Collection! Having the tonal and response variations between the different versions gives me more brushes to paint with, especially on bass guitar and vocals.”
– Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Avett Brothers)
“The LA-2A plug-in is the closest thing to my analog version that I have found.”
– Ross Hogarth (Van Halen, Ziggy Marley, Motley Crue)
“My vocal chain is an LA-2A, SSL E Series Channel Strip, an 1176LN, and a Precision De-Esser. They're amazing plug-ins.”
– Hector Delgado (A$AP Rocky, Selena Gomez, Jay-Z)
“The UAD LA-2A plug-in has become my go-to compressor for lead vocals and acoustic guitars. ”
– Ariel Borujow (Chromeo, Mac Miller, Madonna)
“To put it simply, the UAD LA-2A emulations sound more like a physical box with tubes and transformers. It’s the real thing.”
– Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Jónsi)
“The UAD LA-2A and API Series plug-ins not only feel and sound like my hardware, they react the same when I push them hard. ”
– Mark Needham (The Killers, Neon Trees, P!nk)Customer Reviews
P. Wyer
February 15, 2024
Smooth and reliable tones
Excellent compressor, nice to have the set to mix and match for Vox and guitars,
Read MoreM. Morrise
February 8, 2024
Great workhorse for vocal leveling
I purchased the LA-2A Leveler Collection in October 2023 through Plugin Boutique. License registration to my UA account was quick and easy. It's been lovely to have access to sweet, sweet...
Read MoreA. Grujic
January 14, 2024
Good sounding, trustful
Using it for a several years, very good choice for vocals
Read MoreJ. Janev
January 14, 2024
This compressor is a miracle!
I've tried all sorts of 20-knob compressors and finally the LA-2A sounds better again :-) It's been my favorite compressor for decades! The Gray version is my first choice for vocals and...
Read MoreS. Davis
January 3, 2024
Great leveling amp.
Had a couple of mixes that sounded good but was just missing something. Ran mixes with the LA-2A leveling amp and boom problem...
Read More -
Key Features
Superior plug-in emulations of revered Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifiers.
Includes three historic versions — LA-2A Silver, LA-2A Gray, and original LA-2 — each with their own distinctive sonic attributes.
Models entire electronic path — including transformers, tube amplifiers, and T4 optical cell distortions — for unmistakable analog color and character.
Incredibly easy-to-use Peak Reduction and Gain controls.
Offers the ideal optical compression sound for vocals, bass, drums and more.
Includes plug-in presets from famous LA-2A users Ross Hogarth, Jeff Juliano, Carl Glanville, Darrell Thorp, and Vance Powell.
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Customer Reviews
Teletronix® LA-2A Leveler Collection
P. Wyer
Smooth and reliable tones
Excellent compressor, nice to have the set to mix and match for Vox and guitars,
M. Morrise
Great workhorse for vocal leveling
I purchased the LA-2A Leveler Collection in October 2023 through Plugin Boutique. License registration to my UA account was quick and easy. It's been lovely to have access to sweet, sweet optoelectrical compression. The LA-2A is considered a studio staple with good reason, and UA have delivered a fine set of emulations.
B. DAS
good plugis
i love this product
A. Grujic
Good sounding, trustful
Using it for a several years, very good choice for vocals
J. Janev
This compressor is a miracle!
I've tried all sorts of 20-knob compressors and finally the LA-2A sounds better again :-) It's been my favorite compressor for decades! The Gray version is my first choice for vocals and piano (usually after another quick compressor). The Silver one I use more for other instruments. And the LA-2 is very special! It's very slow, but if matched with some smoother instrument (synth or pad), the sound becomes amazing!
S. Davis
Great leveling amp.
Had a couple of mixes that sounded good but was just missing something. Ran mixes with the LA-2A leveling amp and boom problem solved.
R. Butler
Blows waves ver. out the water
Excellent comp a part of my vocal chain. A go to for pro results everytime.
Y. Kim
I bought it to use uadx.
I bought it to use uadx.
However, it could not be used as a symptom of blurring the screen. However, when I installed the updated drive, it worked perfectly fine. The UAD technology team built the newD. Yowell
A classic!!
Universal Audio has recreated 3 classics to such granular detail, it’s like having the actual units in front of you!
R. Monev
RM
Perfect compressor!
M. Jansson
Great compressor
Perfect to add in the recording chain for vocals, guitar, bass etc.
C. Bors
piece of a legendary era
must have product :)
K. L
A classic
Super compressor, on almost any source material. Subtle and very nice after an 1176 on vocals.
D. Taite
Great plugins
I love these plugins, they are so easy to use and have a clear sound. But... the ilok license is the worst thing on planet earth, I hate it
J. Meza
The best for my job.
I’m in love with the silver one, really smooth out all the vocals and feels more presents, it’s really my favorite.
G. Berry
The Collection
I purchased the collection a little while back.
Love all 3 of them.
Cheers UAD.P. Toth
Classic color!
It's quite amazing, so far the best recreation of this hardware, hands down. Lots of times I just put on any of the track to have that fine coloration and saturation, even without limiting.
p. rabinovich
If you are looking for a great voice sound, nothing better than an LA2A
I have been a Teletronix LA2A (hardware) user for many years, and I can assure you that the UAD modeling has impressive realism! Congratulations on this masterpiece!
A. Escribano
A must
Very nice bundle. It's really usefull to have these three versions with the attack and release times differences between them
D. Productions
Amazing!!!!
I just want to say I´ve had no experience with UAD before a student of mine told me about your Free Offer for the LA.-2A Tube Compressor. I downloaded it, and tried it out on a snare, and the sound was Amazing!!! I then bought the LA-2A Leveler Collection for 29€ or something. Incredible price!!! I then saw that the entire UAD Mixing Edition was on sale as an upgrade from the Free LA-2A for 215€. For that price I had to buy it, and I´m glad I did. So many amazing plugins in that bundle. Especially the 1176, and LA-2A, but the API, and Pultec are great as well. I´m a VERY happy customer!!!
Best,
DiCarlo
