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Teletronix LA-3A Leveling Amplifier

If you took the gentle optical compression of the Teletronix LA‑2A, and fused it with the solid‑state punch and clarity of the Urie 1176, you would have the Teletronix LA-3A. It has become a secret weapon compressor for many engineers, with a unique character capable of moving sounds right to the front of your mix.

The Teletronix LA-3A was truly diminutive when compared to it’s predecessors like the Teletronix LA-2A and even the Urie 1176. What it lacked in size it well and truly made up for in performance. It was often sold in pairs and rack mounted, taking up a 2U space within the rack.

Details

The Teletronix LA-3A Solid State Leveling Amplifier is the solid state successor to the well known Teletronix LA-2A. The unique characteristics of the T4A electro-optical attenuator have been maintained. It is these characteristics that have been greatly responsible for the acceptance and world wide popularity of LA-2A’s.

Improvements in overload characteristics and signal to noise ratio add to the performance and utility of the Teletronix LA-3A. The new 1/2 rack size allows installation Of two LA-3A Leveling Amplifiers in only 31/2 inches of rack space. Contemporary styling complements existing studio equipment.

The Teletronix LA.3A consists of a low noise, 30 or 50 dB gain solid state amplifier capable of 4-24 dBm output level in normal application. The T4B electro-optical attenuator is used as a dynamically controlled attenuator ahead of the input stage of the amplifier. The gain reduction control and the gain control are independent, and provide for simple and convenient setting of the limiting or compressing action, and the system gain.

Limiting frequency response is adjustable to allow as much as 10 dB increase in gain reduction at 15kHz compared to frequencies below 1 kHz. This is advantageous in FM and TV transmission where pre-emphasis is used.

A switch is provided to change the characteristics from those of a compressor (linear gain reduction) to those of a limiter (a compression ratio approaching 50: 1 where the dynamic content of the program material necessitates a large amount of limiting). The electro-optical attenuators of two Teletronix LA-3A units may be connected in tandem for stereo operation.

Specifications

Released: 1969

Frequency Response: 20Hz -20kHz
Dynamic Range: > 80 dB
THD: < 0.5%

Maximum Input Level: +20 dB
Maximum Output Level: +24 dB
Gain: 50 dB”

Dimensions: 216mm x 88.9mm x 235mm
Weight: 2.95 kg

Plug-in Options

Universal Audio Teletronix LA-3A Audio Leveler

Now featuring improved user interface graphics and sonic appointments, the refreshed Teletronix LA‑3A Audio Leveler for UAD hardware and Apollo interfaces takes its rightful place alongside the pillars of classic compression hardware.

Black Rooster Audio VLA-3A Vintage Leveling Amplifier

Black Rooster Audio is proud to present the VLA-3A plug-in, one of the most authentic native emulations of its analog brother from the 70s. This is our goto-compressor for vocals, but it also works incredibly well for bringing out the ambience on percussive material and helping to put some glue into your mixes.

Waves CLA-3A Compressor Limter

Based on the early ‘70s solid-state unit known for its unique and highly transparent compression curve, the CLA-3A delivers the quick response and the subtle harmonic distortion for which the original is world-renowned.