Warm Audio WA-1B All Tube Optical Compressor
The WA-1B accurately recreates world-class Scandinavian compression, combining smooth tube-optical warmth with precision controls. Like its original inspiration, favoured by producers and engineers from Chris Lord-Alge to Rick Rubin, the WA-1B delivers that revered “forgiving” musical compression of tube-optical circuitry with speed and control more closely associated with modern dynamics processing. Hand-wired to authentically recreate the sound of a renowned circuit, the WA-1B combines custom large-core transformers from Lundahl Sweden, select tubes from JJ and Tung-Sol, and a premium high-precision optical element for ultra-fast and accurate operation without sacrificing authentic analog warmth.
An Optical compressor is know for its mellow attack and smooth transparent tonal quality. Because of this, it’s typically the go to style of compression for vocals, however it is equally at home on guitar, synths, strings and brass. In this style of compressor, the audio signal feeds a light sensitive element (an LED) which in turn informs the compression circuit how much and how quickly to attenuate the audio signal.
Tech Specs
- Accurately recreating world-class Scandinavian compression 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
Popular Uses
- Natural, Versatile Vocal Compression
- Shape & Control Bass Signals So They Sit Just-Right In The Mix
- Add Pro Compression To Dynamic Sources Without Destroying The Performance