From a deep-dive into how optical compressors work, this closing segment distills three practical rules of thumb for using the LA-3A. It's a compact reference for anyone who wants to understand how the compressor actually behaves before reaching for the knobs.
The gain control has no effect on compression. Peak reduction and the T4B attenuator both sit before the gain stage, so on the hardware unit, feeding it at the right level matters from the start.
The LA-3A's ratio isn't fixed. Drive it gently and it behaves like a soft-knee compressor; push it harder and it shifts into limiting territory.
Release time is also program-dependent. The harder and longer you drive the compressor, the slower the release becomes. If you need a faster release, the fix is simple: compress a little less.