Tube-Tech LCA-2B Dual Channel Tube VCA Compressor
The LCA 2B is an all-tube VCA compressor/limiter with two independent, linkable channels. LCA2B is a true TUBE VCA compressor, using a tube as the VCA.( Voltage controlled amplifier.) This kind of compressor is also known as a Vari Mu compressor.
TUBE-TECH LCA 2B is one of the most powerful and versatile VCA compressors. LCA 2B is extremely versatile, and it works equally well on vocals, instruments and as a bus compressor. Due to its very fast and smooth attack it is also perfect for drums and percussion.
The action of the LCA2B is always easy to hear, so finding the right setting on this compressor is a not complicated.
Technical Description
The TUBE-TECH LCA 2B is a two-channel unit with an independent compressor and limiter per channel.
The unit is all tube based (except for the power supply and side chain circuit). The VCA (1 dual triode) is placed between the input transformer and the output stage (2 dual triodes).
The audio signal is picked up after the VCA and fed to the side chain circuit. The control signal from the compressor and from the limiter is combined and sent to the link switch and to the control amp, which feeds the VCA. The two bi-directional link busses are accessible at two 1/4″ stereo jack sockets on the rear panel. The channels can be linked together for stereo applications and also linked to other LCA 2B’s via the two link busses and a standard stereo jack/jack cord.
The compressor has six att/rel presets ( Fairchild time constants ) as well as manual control. The limiter att/rel is fixed. The LED display is fed from the control amp. The limiter LED is fed from the limiter buffer.The audio path is fully symmetrical from input to output. Input and output have fully floating transformers. All DC voltages are stabilized, except the anode voltage for the output stage.