Models
7 models
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Teletronix LA-2A
Optical tube leveling amplifier family
Recording equipment · United States
The Teletronix LA-2A is a tube-based optical leveling amplifier that uses an electro-optical attenuator, a photocell paired with a light source, for program-dependent gain reduction. Its smooth, frequency-dependent compression made it a studio standard for vocals and bass and one of the most widely emulated compressors.
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Universal Audio 1176
FET limiting amplifier family
Recording equipment · United States
The Universal Audio 1176 is a solid-state FET limiting amplifier known for very fast attack times and assertive peak control. Introduced by Bill Putnam's Universal Audio in the late 1960s and produced across many revisions, it is among the most widely used and emulated studio compressors.
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Lexicon 480L
Studio digital reverb processor
Recording equipment · United States
The Lexicon 480L is a digital reverb and effects processor introduced in 1986, comprising a mainframe unit and a remote LARC controller. It offers a wide range of reverb algorithms alongside chorus, pitch shift, and other spatial effects, and was adopted as a studio standard across film scoring, pop, and rock production. The 480L remained in production for many years and its reverb programs appear on numerous landmark recordings.
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Eventide H3000
Studio multi-effects processor
Recording equipment · United States
The Eventide H3000 Ultra-Harmonizer is a digital multi-effects processor introduced in 1987, offering pitch shifting, harmonizing, reverb, flanging, chorus, and other effects in a single 1U rackmount unit. It became a go-to studio effects processor during the late 1980s and 1990s for its unique-sounding pitch algorithms and versatile preset library. The H3000 is widely cited as influential on the sound of recordings from its era.
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Empirical Labs Distressor
Studio variable-topology compressor
Recording equipment · United States
The Empirical Labs Distressor (model EL8) is a rackmount VCA-based studio compressor designed by Dave Derr and introduced in 1996. It offers multiple detector and distortion modes that allow the unit to emulate characteristics of optical, FET, and tube-style compression as well as its own distinctive sound. The Distressor became a widely adopted studio tool valued for its versatility on vocals, drums, and a broad range of sources.
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dbx 160
Studio VCA compressor and limiter
Recording equipment · United States
The dbx 160 is a VCA-based studio compressor and limiter introduced in 1976, known for its fast, transparent gain reduction and over-easy ratio control. It established the blueprint for modern VCA compressor design and was widely used on drums, bass, and other transient-heavy material. The 160 line continued through several revisions including the 160A and 160X, and a reissue remains available.
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Bricasti M7
Studio stereo reverb processor
Recording equipment · United States
The Bricasti M7 is a professional stereo reverb processor introduced in 2007 by Bricasti Design, built by former Lexicon engineers. It provides a large library of reverb algorithms including rooms, halls, plates, and chambers, and is widely considered one of the finest digital hardware reverb units available for professional recording. The M7 remains in active production and is found in top professional studios worldwide.