The Best LA-2A Alternatives for Home Recording
Affordable ways to get Opto Compression in your Studio.
It’s hard to say the word “recording” without thinking of the LA-2A immediately. We’re looking at some of the best LA-2A alternatives to get that classic leveling amplifier sound in your studio.
Designed by Teletronix founder James F. Lawrence II in the early 1960s, the LA-2A is renowned for its smooth compression contours and unmistakably pleasing waveshaping characteristics.
The automatic gain reduction is made possible with its optical tube-based design that makes use of an electroluminescent panel and a light-dependent resistor (T4 cell), providing flexible program-dependent compression.
Which are the best LA-2A Alternatives?
LA-2A recreations exist in many forms these days, and luckily you don’t have to pay high-end prices to get a decent leveling amplifier that will improve your recordings. Here are some of the best examples of plug-ins and hardware in 500-series and 19-inch rackmount formats.
Waves CLA-2A
As part of the Waves CLA Classic Compressors bundle, the CLA-2A is the most well-known software recreation of the classic LA-2A available. Designed in collaboration with Chris Lord-Alge, the plugin aims to bring the character of the original to your DAW.
![Waves CLA-2A](https://cdn.gearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/waves-cla-2a.jpg)
The obvious attraction is the ability to have instances of plugins like these on every channel. While CLA-2A might not capture all the warmth and sonic character of the original, it does mimic the behaviour of the compressor rather well.
- More from Waves
![Waves CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter Download](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/nethumb140x40/pics/herstlogos/waves.gif)
![Waves CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter Download](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/orig/pics/prod/387944.jpg)
Klark Teknik KT-2A
If you’re looking for the classic LA-2A feel on a budget, the KT-2A is built with 12AX7, 12BH7, and EL84 tubes as well as Midas transformers. So you still get a degree of authenticity for the price.
![Klark Teknik KT-2A](https://cdn.gearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/klark-teknik-kt-2a.jpg)
It’s also stereo-linkable, so you can run a pair over your mix bus. Overall, the KT-2A is the next logical step for those looking to step out of the plug-in world and find out what hardware compressors are all about.
- More from Klark Teknik
![Klark Teknik 2A-KT](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/nethumb140x40/pics/herstlogos/klarkteknik.gif)
![Klark Teknik 2A-KT](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/orig/pics/prod/448006.jpg)
ART PRO VLA II
The popular ART PRO VLA II is a tube-driven optical leveling amplifier that gives you more control than a typical LA-2A-style compressor. Not only does it provide 2 linkable channels, but you also have controls for the individual compression parameters.
![Art Pro VLA II](https://cdn.gearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/art-pro-vla-ii-01.jpg)
You can easily use it to level your stereo bus or as two individual mono compressors to process separate inputs simultaneously. Overall, the VLA II is still a great option if you’re looking to buy your first compressor.
- More from ART
![ART Pro VLA II](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/nethumb140x40/pics/herstlogos/art.gif)
![ART Pro VLA II](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/orig/pics/prod/188550.jpg)
Warm Audio WA-2A
US Manufacturer, Warm Audio has a habit of building quality recreations of classic gear. Furthermore, doing so while keeping the average musician’s budget in mind. Therefore, the WA-2A is a prime example of this.
![Warm Audio WA-2A](https://cdn.gearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/warm-audio-wa-2a.jpg)
Not only is it built with decent quality parts like Cinemag transformers, but the WA-2A also has some useful modern additions like a stereo-link feature which is incredibly useful in studio.
- More from Warm Audio
![Warm Audio WA-2A](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/nethumb140x40/pics/herstlogos/warm_audio.gif)
![Warm Audio WA-2A](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/orig/pics/prod/384086.jpg)
IGS Audio One LA
The One LA from Polish Manufacturer IGS Audio is one of the best LA-2A-style compressors you’ll find. It’s available in both 500-series and 19-inch rackmount formats which makes things more interesting.
![IGS Audio One LA](https://cdn.gearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/igs-audio-one-la.jpg)
In Compressor mode, you get a 4:1 ratio with a soft knee, while Limiter mode gives you a more angular knee setting with an 8:1 ratio. With the 19-inch rack version, you get the added advantage of larger stepped knobs and stereo-linking.
- More from IGS Audio
![IGS Audio One LA 500](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/nethumb140x40/pics/herstlogos/igs_audio.gif)
![IGS Audio One LA 500](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/orig/pics/prod/346292.jpg)
![IGS Audio One LA 19](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/nethumb140x40/pics/herstlogos/igs_audio.gif)
![IGS Audio One LA 19](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/orig/pics/prod/552442.jpg)
More about LA-2A Alternatives:
- Leveling Amplifiers
- All about Compressors
- Everything Vintage
- The History of the LA-2A
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One response to “The Best LA-2A Alternatives for Home Recording”
Overloud Gem Comp-LA.
Analog Obsession LALA.
Both superior to the Waves plugin. And bonus; they aren’t Waves.