Universal Audio LA-3A
The Universal Audio LA-3A is a dream come true! The original LA-3A Audio Leveler made its debut at the 1969 NY AES show and marked the departure from the tube design of the Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier. The LA-3A incorporated components and design concepts from the Putnam-designed 1176LN Limiting Amplifier. Immediately embraced as a studio workhorse and still widely used today, the LA-3A remains a favorite of engineers and producers worldwide for its unique compression characteristics and sonic signature.
The UA Classics reissue of the LA-3A meticulously retains all the internal and external qualities of the original: The same simple control set, and the T4 electro-optical attenuator, which is the source of the LA-3A's program dependent compression. It also retains the 2RU 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, while the commonly performed "LA-3A gain mod" is added as an additional switch for maximum studio versatility.
- Classic Solid-State Opto-Compressor
- Custom UA transformers and T4 cell
- Discrete, Class A amplifier: up to 50dB gain
- Rear-panel "Gain Mod" switch for gain control
- Designed by ex-UREI engineer Dennis Fink
- External connections: Jones Barrier terminals and XLR connectors
- Gain Reduction: up to 40dB
- Distortion: Less than 0.33% at +24dBm
- Frequency Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.5dB
- Noise Floor: +-80dB below program at threshold of limiting
- Gain: 30 +/- 1dB, 50 +/- 1dB
- Output Level: +20dBm nominal
- Input Level: 0dBm @ 50dB gain; +20dBm @ 30dB gain
- Attack: 1.5ms or less
- Release: 0.06s for 50% release