Universal Audio LA-3A was developed from the original LA3A Leveling Amplifier, which made its debut at the 1969 NY AES show and marked the departure from the tube design of the Teletronix LA-2A Levelling Amplifier. Universal Audio 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, UA LA3A remains a favourite of engineers and producers worldwide for its unique compression characteristics and sonic signature.
The UA Classics reissue of the LA3A 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 Universal Audio LA-3A’s program dependent compression. LA3A 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 “LA3A gain mod” is added as an additional switch for maximum studio versatility.