Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection by Universal Audio compressor plugin interface

Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection: Optical Compressor Plugin by Universal Audio

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (146 ratings)

Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection is a compressor plugin from Universal Audio that emulates three historic Teletronix LA-2A optical leveling amplifiers. It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

The Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection models three versions of the LA-2A optical compressor: the LA-2A Silver, the LA-2A Gray and the original LA-2. Each model has its own time constant, compression knee, headroom and distortion, so you can choose a faster or slower optical response for different sources. The collection is built for tracking and mixing, and it runs natively on any audio interface or accelerated on Apollo Realtime and UAD-2 hardware.

Best for

Vocal tracking
Bass compression
Drum leveling
Mixing with optical compression
Real-time tracking with Apollo

Developer: Universal Audio
Category: Compressors
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Three LA-2A-style models: LA-2A Silver, LA-2A Gray and LA-2
UAD Native and Apollo Realtime/UAD-2 versions included
Runs on any audio interface in the native version
Real-time recording through LA-2A/LA-2 models with Apollo interfaces
Optical compression textures for vocals, bass and drums
Presets from Ross Hogarth, Darrell Thorp and Vance Powell
Available in VST3, AU and AAX formats
64-bit support on macOS and Windows

03In depth

Sound and Character of the Three LA-2A Models

The LA-2A Silver is based on a late-1960s unit with a fast time constant, which makes it the most flexible of the three for a wide range of material, including transient-rich sources such as drums and percussion.

The LA-2A Gray follows a mid-1960s version and provides a more average, medium-speed compression behavior.

The LA-2 is the earliest model and responds the slowest. It is described as producing a mellowed sound, and Universal Audio suggests using it with legato tempos and vocal sources.

Workflow: Tracking, Mixing and Real-Time Recording

The plugin is available in two versions. UAD Native runs on a Mac or PC without UA hardware, while Apollo Realtime and UAD-2 versions run accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD-2 hardware.

With Apollo interfaces, you can record through a Teletronix LA-2A or LA-2 model in real time, which suits tracking vocals and bass. The collection also includes presets from engineers Ross Hogarth, Darrell Thorp and Vance Powell as starting points for optical compression on vocals, bass and drums.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Universal Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Compressor
Formats	VST3, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is the Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection?

It is a compressor plugin from Universal Audio that models three versions of the Teletronix LA-2A optical leveling amplifier: the LA-2A Silver, the LA-2A Gray and the LA-2.

What plugin formats and operating systems are supported?

The collection is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats and runs on macOS and Windows as 64-bit software.

What do I need to use the LA-2A Leveler Collection?

You need a supported DAW that is compatible with VST3, AU or AAX, an internet connection to download and authorize the UAD Native plug-ins, and a free iLok account. The free UA Connect application is used to manage the plug-ins. An iLok USB key is supported but not required.

Does it require UA hardware?

No. The UAD Native version runs on a Mac or PC without any UA hardware. The Apollo Realtime and UAD-2 versions run accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD-2 hardware.