Behringer 2A - Classic Leveling Amplifier

The Behringer 2A Classic Leveling Amplifier brings the legendary smoothness of the original 1960s optical compressors into a modern, affordable rack unit. With a fully discrete, valve-driven signal path, custom Midas transformers and a vintage-style optical attenuator, it delivers that unmistakable, musical gain control that flatters vocals, bass, guitars and mix buses in both studio and live environments.

Inspired by the iconic Teletronix LA-2A, the 2A keeps the simple, intuitive control layout that engineers love while expanding the flexibility for today’s workflows. Wide-ranging attack and release behaviour, variable pre-emphasis and stereo linking make it just as comfortable in a mastering chain as it is on a vocal channel, all while maintaining ultra low-noise analogue performance and rock-solid reliability in a rugged 2U chassis.

Classic Optical Levelling, Modern Reliability

At the heart of the 2A is a lag-free optical attenuator based on the original electroluminescent technology that made early levelling amplifiers so revered. This design reacts smoothly and musically to signal peaks, naturally riding levels without sounding grabby or artificial. Whether you are taming a dynamic singer or evening out a bass guitar, the 2A delivers consistent, polished results session after session.

Warm, Valve-Rich Tone

The 2A’s character comes from its premium, hand-selected 12AX7, 12BH7 and EL84 valves. This classic tube complement imparts a warm, harmonically rich tone with tight low end, silky mids and open, airy highs. It excels at adding weight and presence to sources while keeping noise to a minimum, making it ideal for critical tracking and mix duties where tone really matters.

Midas Transformers for Premium Signal Integrity

Custom-designed Midas input and output transformers sit at each end of the 2A’s fully discrete signal path, ensuring excellent headroom, low distortion and a refined, musical response. These transformers help preserve detail and depth, whether you are hitting the unit hard for character or using it more subtly for transparent level control, and they integrate seamlessly with professional studio and live rigs.

Flexible Control for Studio and Broadcast

Despite its vintage inspiration, the 2A offers a wide range of control to suit modern applications. Peak Reduction and Output Gain knobs make it easy to dial in the right amount of compression and makeup gain, while the Limit/Compress switch lets you choose between gentler levelling and near-infinite limiting. Variable pre-emphasis optimises the sidechain for digital recording and broadcast, and an adjustable stereo-link connection allows two units to work together for cohesive stereo dynamics.

• Classic Tube Optical Compression - Modelled after the iconic Teletronix LA-2A, the 2A uses a vintage-style optical attenuator and simple controls to deliver smooth, musical levelling that flatters vocals, bass and more without sounding over-processed.
• Premium Valve Signal Path - A hand-selected 12AX7, 12BH7 and EL84 tube complement provides ultra low-noise analogue operation with rich harmonic content, adding warmth, depth and presence to any source.
• Midas Input and Output Transformers - Custom-built Midas transformers on the inputs and outputs ensure excellent headroom and clarity, giving you professional-grade signal integrity in both studio and live setups.
• Wide Dynamic Control and Stereo Linking - With gain limiting from 0 to 30 dB, fast 10 ms attack, variable 50 ms to 5 s release, variable pre-emphasis and an adjustable stereo-link connection, the 2A adapts easily from gentle bus levelling to assertive limiting and broadcast duties.

General

• Product Type: Classic tube compressor / levelling amplifier
• Design: Completely discrete signal path
• Model Inspiration: Teletronix LA-2A style optical levelling amplifier
• Form Factor: 2U rackmount chassis

Audio Performance

• Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 20 kHz, +/- 1 dB
• Gain Limiting Range: 0 to 30 dB
• Attack Time: 10 milliseconds
• Release Time: 50 milliseconds to 5 seconds
• Operating Modes: Compress / Limit (internally fixed compression ratio and near-infinite limiting ratio)

Valves and Signal Path

• Valve Complement: 12AX7, 12BH7 and EL84 tubes
• Attenuator Type: Lag-free optical attenuator using electroluminescent technology
• Transformers: Custom-designed Midas input and output transformers
• Signal Path: Transformer balanced, fully discrete

Controls and Functions

• Peak Reduction: Threshold / gain reduction control, up to 40 dB
• Output Gain: Makeup gain control
• Pre-Emphasis: Variable trimmer for compressor / sidechain interaction
• Mode Switch: Limit / Compress
• Stereo Link: Adjustable stereo-link TRS connection for shared sidechain operation
• Metering: Vintage-style meter with gain reduction and output indication

Connectivity

• Inputs: Transformer balanced on Neutrik XLR connector
• Outputs: Transformer balanced on Neutrik XLR connector
• Stereo Link: TRS connection

Power

• Power Supply: Auto-ranging universal switch-mode power supply