With the LA-610 MkII, Universal Audio made notable improvements to an already great, best-selling channel strip. The huge, warm tone of the famed 610 microphone preamp from the original Bill Putnam-designed console bumps fists with an LA-2A style optical compressor / limiter for a one-and-done channel strip that shoots vocals out to the front of the speakers and gives bass guitars a firm, steady place in any mix. With true bypass switching for the compressor, a larger VU meter, and an quieter, higher headroom output stage, the LA-610 MkII deserves a place in the racks of any project or professional studio.