LA-2A Leveling Amplifier
The LA-2A Leveling Amplifier is an audio compressor
invented by James F. Lawrence II, founder of the
Teletronix Engineering Company in Pasadena, California
in the early 1960s.
The LA-2A is a hand-wired, tube-based compressor. The
average attack time is 10 milliseconds, while the release
time is about 60 ms for 50% release and 0.5 to 5
seconds for full release, depending on the previous
program material. The LA-2A has simple controls: a
Peak-Reduction knob controls the gain of the side-chain
circuit, and therefore, the gain reduction; a Gain Control
for make-up gain; and a Limit/Compress switch which
alters the compression ratio.
It is an excellent tool for vocals, bass and drums.