Warm Audio WA-1B Optical Compressor

The Warm Audio WA-1B is the latest in a series of dynamics processors modeled after the ubiquitous tools that have shaped the sound of recorded music for decades. The WA-1B is an accurate recreation of a celebrated tube-based optical compressor from Denmark, originally released in 1987 as the CL 1A, and again in 1991 as the CL 1B. Relatively “young” compared to the ’60s LA-2A that inspired it, the CL 1B has countless hits under its belt thanks to the musical shimmer it gives to vocals, and it’s widely considered the not-so-secret weapon for hip-hop, R&B and pop artists. The Warm Audio WA-1B captures the same magic as the original, excelling on highly dynamic sources that demand a vintage flavor with the benefit of modern precision.

• Rack Spaces: 2U
• Accurate recreation of a world-class Scandinavian compressor combining smooth tube-optical warmth with precision controls
• True-to-spec 270 volt, 100% discrete analog signal path - handwired with through-hole components
• Transformer-balanced fully floating input and output - Custom-core large transformers from Scandinavian Manufacturer, Lundahl in Sweden
• 12ax7 Tung-Sol & JJ 12au7 tubes
• Frequency response @ -3 dB: 5 Hz to 25 kHz
• Self-Noise: < -75 dBU @ 30 dB gain
• CMRR: > 60 dB @ 10 kHz
• Ratio from 2:1 to 10:1
• Variable Threshold: Off to -40 dBU
• Continuously variable attack and release times: fast-slow
• Output gain: Off to +30 dBU
• Input impedance: 600Ω
• Two bus connectors to connect multiple sidechains
• Meter (VU) input, output, or compression amount
• Linear, low-noise power supply with toroidal power transformer