The LA-2A is arguably the most famous vocal compressor ever made, used on virtually every genre of recorded music since the 1960s. Stam Audio SA-2A was developed to bring this essential studio tool to engineers who need authentic optical compression without the vintage price tag. The T4B optical cell is the heart of this design, providing the unique program-dependent response that cannot be replicated with VCA or FET designs.
SA-2A
2016–2022
The Stam Audio SA-2A is a faithful recreation of the UREI LA-2A electro-optical compressor, the ultimate vocal compressor that has shaped the sound of countless hit records. Using the same T4B-style optical cell and all-tube topology as the original, the SA-2A delivers the smooth, musical compression that made the LA-2A a studio legend. The program-dependent attack and release follow the natural dynamics of the source, creating effortless, transparent gain reduction. The SA-2A is the definition of set-and-forget compression—simply adjust the Peak Reduction knob until the VU meter shows desired gain reduction, then set output level. The tube makeup gain stage adds harmonic warmth that flatters any source, particularly vocals, bass, and acoustic instruments. This is the sound of classic vocal recordings from the 1960s to today. (Discontinued — superseded by SA-2A+)