Universal Audio LA-3A

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.

Our 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.

Features

• Classic Solid-State Opto-Compressor
• Custom UA Transformers & T4 cell
• Discrete Amplifier – up to 50dB gain
• Rear Panel "Gain Mod" switch for gain control
•  Designed by ex-UREI engineer- Dennis Fink

Technical Specifications

• External Connections   Jones Barrier terminals and XLR connectors
•  Gain Reduction   up to 40 dB
• Distortion   Less than 0.33% at +24dBm
•  Frequency Response   20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.5 dB
• Noise Floor  -80 dB below program at threshold of limiting
• Gain   30 +/- 1dB, 50 +/- 1dB
•  Output Level   +20 dBm nominal
• Input Level   0dBm @ 50dB gain; +20dBm @ 30dB gain
•  Attack   1.5ms or less
• Release   0.06s for 50% release