Universal Audio LA-610 – Recording Channel

The LA-610 from Universal Audio brings vintage “all tube” sound into a modern channel strip format by combining the 610 Mic-Pre/EQ/DI section and a T4 Opto-compressor into a single 2U rack-mount enclosure. The 610-tube preamp, DI and EQ are based on the legendary console modules developed by Bill Putnam in the 1960’s.

The LA-610 packs tremendous sonic versatility and is an ideal front-end for tracking with modern DAWs. The preamp is augmented with two bands of EQ and instrument DI input. Following the preamp is a T4 based optical compressor. Although not an exact LA-2A clone, the compressor shares a signature sound with the classic LA-2A by sharing the unique combination of an electro-luminescent panel and photo-resistors inside the T4 cell.

The unit uses three 12AX7A’s, a single 6072A and a single 6AQ5 tube for amplifier warmth and overall tonal balance. And the simple operation and program dependent nature of the T4 compressor provides the same extremely musical control that has made the LA-2A such a well-loved classic for over 40 years.