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LA3A Mods

1) The document describes modifications that can be made to the LA 3A compressor to better suit it for use in recording studios rather than for broadcast use. 2) The modifications include relocating switches to the front panel for convenience, adding link and HF boost switches, adjusting gain settings, and adding a bypass switch and output termination to improve sound quality and usability. 3) Proper output termination is especially important to prevent frequency response and ringing issues when connecting the modified LA 3A to non-terminating high impedance inputs common in recording equipment after 1970.

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331 views1 page

LA3A Mods

1) The document describes modifications that can be made to the LA 3A compressor to better suit it for use in recording studios rather than for broadcast use. 2) The modifications include relocating switches to the front panel for convenience, adding link and HF boost switches, adjusting gain settings, and adding a bypass switch and output termination to improve sound quality and usability. 3) Proper output termination is especially important to prevent frequency response and ringing issues when connecting the modified LA 3A to non-terminating high impedance inputs common in recording equipment after 1970.

Uploaded by

api-19916868
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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LA3A Mods

The original LA 3A (and LA 2A) were designed as broadcast compressors. The gain structure and facilities
of the unit were arranged for that purpose. These units have found wide spread use in the recording studio,
and as such require modification to better be utilized in the studio environment..

1) Relocate Compress/Limit
switch to front panel For
convenience.

2) Add Link Switch to front


panel. For convenience.

3) Add HF Boost switch to front


panel
This facility was originally
used for broadcast transmission
systems utilizing a pre-emphasis
audio curve. This facility was
designed to keep these EQed transitions from overloading in the HF region. Though not designed as such,
in recording studios this function is used similar to a deesser, making the compression circuits more
sensitive to HF (esses) signals.

4) Set HF boost rear panel control to MAX. FULLY CCW.

5) Relocate Power Switch to front panel.

6) Add BYPASS switch to front panel. Install termination at BYPASS switch (see below)

7) Align LINK facility.

8) Set rear panel gain switch to "50".


This removes the PAD in front of the
input transformer. Making better signal
to noise ratio.

9) Add 15k resistor in parallel with R14


(220k). equivalent resistance = 13.5k
This reduces the gain taken in the
front end by leaving the gain switch in
the "50" position.
Both these together also put the GAIN
and PEAK REDUCTION controls in a
better range for interface in the recording
studio.

REMEMBER… Even if you don’t do all the other mods, Terminate the output transformer with 600 ohms
(620 is ok) to prevent frequency response and transient ringing anomalies .. This of course assumes that
the circuit that the LA3A will be feeding is NON terminating… i.e High Input Impedance (most circuits
after 1970 are).

Ed Evans
Circa 1991, update 2003

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