Urei LA-22 Stereo Compressor, Peak / RMS VCA Colour Compressor, 1U, Vintage Rack

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OtherCompressorsKeyboards & Sound ModulesVintage DigitalVintage AnalogueEffects & reverbsEqualisersStomp BoxesMiscVintage HiFiInterfacesMonitor speakers Urei LA-22 Stereo Compressor, Peak / RMS VCA Colour Compressor, 1U, Vintage Rack

This compressor has been refurbished – we recapped the power supply with higher-value Panasonic electrolytic capacitors and fitted new bypass relays. Audio bypass is switched by sealed 24 Volt relays which degrade over time and cause distortion. Replacing the relays cures the problem. All switches & pots have been cleaned & lubricated and work fine. The knobs & switch caps are all original. The compressor audio path has been tested and is working 100%
UREI compressors need no introduction. Many of their products are definitive pieces of outboard gear which have spawned clones, DIY versions and official reissues. Some years after the legendary optical & FET-based compressors of the 70s and 80s, UREI & JBL launched a range of VCA compressors including the 7110, LA-10, LA-12 and LA-22
The LA-22 is the top model in the range. It’s a dual-channel VCA compressor / limiter / expander in a compact 1U box. In addition to the usual attack & release, threshold & compression controls it adds a number of rarely-seen features including variable Peak / RMS detector response, parametric sidechain EQ, sidechain monitoring, output limiter, switchable expander and transformer-balanced outputs
“The Urei LA-22 is a great and overlooked vintage compressor”
“It’s a thick box – great for certain tracks but not the kind of thickness you’d want for the mix”
“The main feature of the LA-22 is its frequency dependent mode”
“The LA22 is my favorite vocal compressor”
“I use mine on vocals as de-esser often. Also gets use on some electric guitars. The build in sidechain EQ is a great feature”
“It’s been my main vocal compressor for years”
“Its my #1 go to vocal mixdown compressor”
“This comp is very clean, even with massive compression. This is especially good for clean vocals”
“I’ve had an LA22 for about 15 years and it is a winner. Excellent clean vocal compressor. Best compressor I’ve ever used on kick drum”
“Q: Would you put a la22 over a end mix? To give it a vintage feel?” “A: No. but I would use it on the master bus to stomp the mix to snot”
“I think I like it” – Jules Standen

The LA22 will appeal to those who like a compressor with character. Although it’s a VCA compressor it can be made to be surprisingly unsubtle. One key to this is the peak / rms detector control. As with the UREI 7110 pushing this toward peak produces a compressor that can grab transients and twist them into a pretzel – if you want it to. It may be at home doing subtle compression but there is a definite hooligan tendency within the LA-22
This is not a compressor you can get to grips with immediately but one to learn & get comfortable with over time. The sidechain, equaliser & variable detector response means it’s possible to dial up pretty much any kind of dynamic effect you want but you’ll need to know your way round it first. Once you do, you’ll find it a real asset, particularly as it has two linkable channels

TechnicalThe LA22 is in a deep, heavy 1U steel case. Internal construction uses mother & daughter boards with through-hole components & opamps so it will be repairable in the future. The unit has a balanced inputs & outputs on XLR and barrier strip. Detector inputs & outputs are on the barrier strip
Inputs are electronically balanced and outputs use an ultra-low distortion circuit driving an output transformer. UREI claims the output circuit will drive a 600 load at +24 dBm with less than 0.001% distortion. In outboard gear “Top Trumps” that’s a winning combination and is a clue to the level of sophistication employed in the LA22
Power input is switchable 220 / 110 Volts AC with a rear-panel fuseholder and standard IEC socket. UK or Euro Schuko power cable supplied on request

LinksOwners manualhttp://www.studiomanuals.com/docs/urei/urei_la22.pdf
TapeOp Reviewhttp://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/39/la-22-dual-channel-compressorlimiterexpander/
LA-10 / LA-12 / LA-22 Flyerhttp://www.jblproservice.com/pdf/Vintage%20JBL-UREI%20Electronics/UREI-LA10%20_%20LA12manual.pdf

ConditionIn excellent used condition. We’ve refurbished the compressor, recapping the power supply with higher-value Panasonic electrolytic capacitors. We’ve also fitted new bypass relays. Audio bypass is switched by sealed 24 Volt relays, which degrade over time and cause distortion, but replacing the relays cures the problem. All switches & pots have been cleaned & lubricated and work fine. The knobs & switch caps are all original. The compressor audio path has been tested and is working 100%
Photos are of a unit sold previously. The one in this auction has the bypass switch caps which are missing on the unit in the photo

Vintage gearAll vintage gear will have case scratches and marks. It may also have, or develop, noisy pots and switches. I make my descriptions as accurate as possible and note any existing defects. I test each item before shipping but please understand that vintage gear will not be perfect and adjust your expectations accordingly

Visit our eBay Store! bn1studioPaymentPayment by PayPal only for postal items and PayPal or cash on collectionShippingCollection from Brighton BN1 or I can send via insured courier. Turnaround up to 3 days, shipping 3-5 daysReturn PolicyItems can be returned within 14 days. Return postage to be paid by the buyer and returned items must be unused, unmarked and as received. Please retain the packaging to reuseCopyrightAll text & images bn1studio except sections in italic which are the property of the original publications. Text & images may not be reproduced without prior permissionOther itemsPlease check my eBay Store for other studio equipment _gsrx_vers_811 (GS 7.0.9 (811))

Category: Musical Instruments:Pro Audio Equipment:Signal Processors and Effects
Location: Brighton