Outboard processing
AudioScape Opto Comp
Boutique LA-2A-style tube compressor, hand-built with NOS tubes, Cinemag transformers and a custom T4B optical cell for smooth vocal and bass leveling.
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Model details
The Opto Comp is AudioScape’s boutique recreation of the classic Teletronix LA-2A approach: smooth, program-dependent optical compression with the body and character of tubes and transformers. Each unit is hand-built in the USA with new old stock (NOS) tubes in the audio path, NOS carbon-composition resistors, custom-wound Cinemag transformers and AudioScape’s own hand-built T4B opto-attenuator.
Use it to settle a vocal into the mix, give bass a consistent foundation or gently shape acoustic instruments. The front-panel high-frequency detector control makes the compressor respond more strongly to bright material. Tape Op’s hands-on review compared its sound favorably with original LA-2As.
Typical uses: Vocal leveling · Bass tracking · Melodic instrument compression
- Model
- AudioScape Opto Comp
- Brand
- AudioScape
- Equipment type
- Dynamics
- Architecture
- LA-2A-style tube optical compressor
- Construction
- Hand-built in small batches in the USA
- NOS components
- Audio-path tubes and Allen-Bradley carbon-composition resistors
- Transformers
- Custom-wound Cinemag input and output
- Gain reduction
- AudioScape hand-built T4B opto-attenuator
- Response
- Program-dependent optical behavior
- Adjustment
- Front-panel high-frequency sidechain trim
Product references: Manufacturer product information · Tape Op review