pro audio search

Anthony DeMaria Labs

Anthony DeMaria Labs ADL 1000

Mono tube optical compressor/limiter

Compressor / Limiter

Price not published

Specifications

Type
Compressor / Limiter
Description
Mono tube optical compressor/limiter
Topology
all-tube/valve, optical (hand-matched opto attenuator), transformer-balanced, no ICs/chips
Signal path
Analog
Channels
1
Channel format
mono (stereo-linkable by pairing two units)
Form factor
2U rack
Rack units
2
Frequency response
15 Hz – 30 kHz ±0.5 dB
Impedance (Ω)
600
Introduced
1988
Country of manufacture
USA

Details

Controls: Gain, gain-reduction/threshold; attack ~10μs, release 0.07–4s (per tech specs); stereo-link switch

I/O: Balanced XLR in/out, 600-ohm; also works with unbalanced systems; stereo-link capability

Notable use: Shawn Colvin, Eric Harrington (Atlantic Records), David J. Frangioni (Aerosmith, Extreme), Sunset Sound Factory studios

Notes: ADL describes it as 'similar in design to an LA-2A' — FLAGGED classic reference: Teletronix LA-2A (opto compression lineage). Tube complement: 2x12AX7A, 1x12BH7A, 1x6AQ5A. Gain reduction 40dB max, gain 40dB ±1dB, clip +22dBu. Shipping weight 13 lb. This was ADL's original product (per company history, DeMaria's first opto design evolved into the 1000, sold since 1988). Third-party retail sources have cited street prices around $2,200, but not manufacturer-published, so price_usd left blank per golden rule.

Where to buy

Similar compressor / limiter