Compare Prices On Universal Audio 2-LA-2 Compressor/Limiter

Store	Country	Shipping	Price
	USA	Free	$3499.00
	USA	Free	$3499.00
	UK	£6.99	£2409.00

NB. Prices correct as of date of post.

Universal Audio 2-LA-2 Summary

The evolution of the legendary LA-2A compressor/limiter is finally here - the 2-LA-2. Responsible for 100s, if not 1000s of hit records around the world since the 1960s, have the audio experts at Universal Audio in California come up with another hit or a miss? Lets find out….

Review of the Universal Audio 2-LA-2 Compressor

First impressions of the 2-LA-2

At first glance the 2-LA-2 looks very similar to the classic LA-2A which has been a staple in many world class studios for decades. The most glaring difference is that the 2LA2 compressor now has 2 channels instead of one. Its now possible to put through stereo sources by using the handy link switch on the front panel. It also has a dual mono mode which allows you to apply different compressor/limiter settings to each channel. This is a feature which is missing on many of the 2-LA-2 competitors.

Its all in the looks….

Apart from the addition of an extra channel the 2-LA-2 retains the looks of the original LA-2A - which is a good thing. The design is solid with a sturdy metal enclosure and large rotary dials that are marked so that you can see the current settings easily, even from the other side of the studio. The big seller in the looks department though, are the two gorgeous backlit VU meters which give off a warm orangey glow that oozes class and identifies the 2-LA-2 as a serious piece of studio kit.

Around the back of the 2-LA-2 are 4 XLR connections - 2 input/2 output. This seems to be the first oversight Universal Audio have made. It would have been nice to have a couple of 1/4inch instrument jacks on there, so that you could plug say a bass or guitar directly into the unit.

The Universal Audio 2-LA-2 is so easy to use.

Back around to the front, the controls couldn’t be simpler. As a bedroom musician rather than a bedroom engineer, I like gear that gives me fast musical results rather than taking an hour to set up. In order to get some great sounding fat, warm sounds, its just a question of turning the 2 large rotary dials. The Peak Reduction dial takes care of the amount of compression you are adding to the signal. While the Gain Control dial controls the amount of gain to replace that lost through the compressor. The same controls apply to the limiter one you’ve flicked the switch over from compressor. Even though there are no controls for Ratio, Attack, Release or Threshold, like on many software compressors, this doesn’t seem to matter as you can get fantastic results by just adjusting the two dials.

But what does the 2-LA-2 Compressor sound like?

In terms of sound the 2-LA-2 compressor/limiter adds some kind of magical aural voodoo to what ever you put through it; whether it be drums, vocals or guitars or indeed any other instrument. The background noise of the unit is almost inaudible, with no distortion. The sound is warm without losing any detail and gives it a polish that makes any of your tracks sound they like they’ve been recorded in a $1000 an hour studio rather than a bedroom.

Conclusion. Should you buy the 2-LA-2 Compressor/Limiter or not?

The 2-LA-2 compressor is certainly not the choice of those on a budget. However, if you’re looking at owning a piece of equipment that is going to add that professional ‘hit record’ sound to your tracks then the 2-LA-2 is the essential purchase. Treat Yourself!

Video showing the 2-LA2 Compressor Features

Buy Universal Audio 2-LA-2 Compressor/Limiter

Store	Country	Shipping	Price
	USA	Free	$3499.00
	USA	Free	$3499.00
	UK	£6.99	£2409.00

NB. Prices correct as of date of post.