Universal Audio offersthe Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor as a FREE download until October 31st!
It’s been a rare period for Universal Audio plugins! First, we had the big flash sale at Plugin Boutique, and now UAD is going one better, with the only thing better than a big sale is giving stuff for FREE!
Universal Audio is offering the Teletronix LA-2A Tube Compressor plugin completely free. As we don’t see these plugins given out for free too often, it is best to get it while you can – the offer ends October 31st!
Universal Audio plugins come in two forms: UAD Native and Apollo Realtime/UAD-2. The Apollo Realtime/UAD-2 versions run accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD-2 hardware.
The UAD Native versions run on Mac and PC without UAD hardware.
I just want to clarify that you don’t need UAD hardware to run this plugin; I’m sure that’s common knowledge for most, but I’d hate anyone to miss out.
Universal Audio recreated three generations of this iconic compressor for its LA-2A Collection, including the original LA-2.
The plugin we are getting for free is brand new and not part of that pre-existing collection. If you already own the collection, it might still be worth checking out this new variation.
The LA-2A optical tube compressor is famous for its warmth and rich harmonic detail, which, in many use cases, provides a smooth and polished sound. It glues everything together while enhancing the best characteristics of each part.
It’s also famous for being incredibly easy to use because it has so few controls – and the plugin is no different.
It starts with the Compress/Limit switch, which sets the ratio. In Compress mode, the ratio is roughly 3:1 and roughly infinity:1 when set to Limit. The compression ratios are frequency-dependent and not absolute.
Next is the Gain knob, which adds up to 40 dB of makeup gain to compensate for the compression. As the Gain control adjusts the output level, it doesn’t affect the amount of compression applied.
You set the amount of compression from 0 dB to -40 dB using the Peak Reduction knob. Increasing the Peak Reduction lowers the compression threshold, increasing the amount of compression applied.
Both the Gain and Peak Reduction knobs are marked with values ranging from 0-100, but those values are just reference points and don’t represent any actual dB value.
The last knob controls the mode of the VU Meter.
Bill Putnam’s late 1960s LA-2A Silver is probably the most versatile and most used of the original hardware units. So, if anyone is going to produce an authentic emulation of the legendary compressor, you’d think it would be Bill Putnam Jr. and Universal Audio. You simply cannot complain about this freebie at all.
And lastly, if you haven’t entered the Inner Pitch giveaway yet, do it now as you still have time!
Download: LA-2A Tube Compressor (FREE until October 31st!)
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Last Updated on October 11, 2023 by Tomislav Zlatic.
