Universal Audio LA-610 Channel Strip - Manual (Page 2)

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The LA-610 Channel Strip
Thank you for purchasing the LA-610 Channel Strip. This unit combines a modified
channel of our 2-610 Mic Pre with an LA2A style T4 Optical Compressor. Our 610 was
inspired by the microphone preamp section of the 610 tube console designed by my
father, M.T. “Bill” Putnam, in the 1950s. The 610 was a rotary-control console and was
the first console of the modular design. Although technologically simple compared to
modern consoles, the 610 possessed a warmth and character that kept it in demand for
decades. As a prominent part of my father’s United/Western studios, the 610 was used on
many classic recordings by Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan. The Beach Boys Pet
Sounds, the Doors LA Woman, and Van Halen’s debut album were all recorded on the
610. The legendary Wally Heider used the 610 in his remote truck for many of his best-
known live recordings. At Ocean Way Studios (formerly United), the 610 is lovingly
preserved and still used in Studio B.
The T4 Compressor element in the LA-610 is identical to the circuit components housed
inside the T4 optical cell used on the legendary LA-2A compressor. The heart and soul of
the LA-2A is mostly a result of this special optical gain control element. The unique and
musical behavior of the LA-2A is present in the LA-610 as well, the main difference
being a more colored sonic signature with the LA-610. Unlike the LA-2A, the LA-610
offers a wide variety of tone and character by virtue of the dual stage level controls and
EQ section. The incredible price/value of the LA-610 is the result of using the existing
610 tube amplifier and simply adding the T4 optical element creating a mono channel
strip that can serve as a mic or Instrument preamp with or without EQ and compression.
In addition, the LA-610 has a line level input for use as a dedicate compressor with or
without EQ and tube saturation.
In addition to the LA-610, Universal Audio has released reproductions of the classic
Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier and 1176LN Limiter as well as the 610 tube
preamp and 2108 microphone preamplifier, which is based on the 1108 line amps that
were used in my father’s studios. Universal Audio also creates software emulation’s of
our vintage hardware that run on our UAD-1 DSP card as well as Digidesign’s Pro Tools
platform. All of these products are designed to meet the demands of the modern
recording studio, yet retain the character of vintage equipment. Please visit
www.uaudio.com to see and read about other great recording tools from Universal Audio.
These products have been quite an enjoyable adventure to develop and we’re sure the
next phase will be even more fun! We thank you for your support and we thank my
father, Bill Putnam.
Thank you,
Bill Putnam