Optical compressor
Optical compressors are compressors that use a little light and the brightness of the light determines how much compression to apply. These compressors are slow to work!
The most famous optical compressor is the Teletronix LA-2A, so let’s talk about that:
- Only has a gain knob and peak reduction knob
- Not fast or aggressive (like a FET) and not clean and punchy (like a VCA)
- Described as “smooth”: the effect of compression is not obvious!
- Great on vocals, bass
Notable plugins: