Nod to The Legend · The gear · 1960s
The Teletronix LA-2A
Optical leveling amplifier, designed by Jim Lawrence
Jim Lawrence's design squeezes the signal with a light and a photocell (the T4 cell). The more you hit it, the brighter the panel glows and the more it levels. Two knobs, Gain and Peak Reduction, and it still sounds kind on a vocal.
Still heard: Every LA-2A plugin is modelling that slow, smooth T4 cell. Our Leveler grew from the same idea.
Related legends
- Bartolomeo Cristofori: Inventor of the piano, Florence
- The EMT 140 Plate: Plate reverb, EMT of Germany
- Rupert Neve: Console and preamp designer
- Georg Neumann and the U47: Microphone maker
- Motown's Hitsville U.S.A.: Detroit, 2648 West Grand Boulevard
- T Bone Burnett and O Brother: Producer of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack