Warm Audio WA-1B

Warm Audio WA-1B

All-tube mono optical compressor, balanced with transformer

The Warm Audio WA-1B is a faithful reproduction of the prestigious Scandinavian compressor, which combines the warmth of tube-optical saturation with extremely precise controls. Just like the original unit, beloved by producers such as Chris Lord-Alge and Rick Rubin, the WA-1B offers the renowned “musical compression” typical of tube optical circuitry, but with the speed and control typical of Modern dynamic processing. The WA-1B is hand-built to achieve the authentic sound of these famous electronic circuits and combines custom transformers from Sweden (Lundahl), carefully selected tubes and a high-precision optical element for fast and precise operation without sacrificing the warmth of the analog sound.

Main features

Optical tube sound with advanced controls : The WA-1B offers that famous “forgiving musical compression” with additional speed and control options and excels especially on highly dynamic sources that require the characteristic warmth of analog.
True-to-the-original controls : To offer extended dynamic processing, the WA-1B retains all the classic controls of modern and classical inspiration.
Threshold : The WA-1B supports a variable threshold, giving the user maximum control over the amount of compression applied at different input levels.
Ratio : The ratio of the WA-1B is variable and allows an infinite range of adjustments between 2:1 and 10:1, offering both soft and more aggressive compression.
Attack and Release : The WA-1B’s Attack/Release controls feature a unique option: you can choose between a fixed, manual (variable) setting, or a combination of the two. In “fixed” mode, the WA-1B offers the natural attack and release time of the optical element. The combined mode, in particular, allows for a more nuanced release curve. This operation with variable time constants is a special feature of the WA-1B and the original unit.
Meter switch : The WA-1B’s meter switch offers three options: “input”, “compression” and “output”. When set to “input”, the VU meter indicates the level of the input signal. In “compression” mode, the VU meter signals gain reduction. The “0” represents the stable level, and the degree of compression is indicated by the movement of the needle. By setting the switch to “Output”, the VU meter monitors the signal output level.
On/Bypass : The On/Bypass switch turns the WA-1B’s compressor on or off. This is a total bypass, meaning that in this mode, no signal passes through the circuitry.
High-quality components : The WA-1B features a 270V circuit with hand-wired components in “through-hole” technology, and a 100% fully discrete analog signal path. Custom, carefully selected transformers from Sweden (Lundahl) give the WA-1B’s circuitry its characteristic Scandinavian analog tone. Paired with select JJ and Tung-Sol tubes, the high-precision optical element brings a pleasant warm saturation to the audio signal with unmatched precision. Hand Tested in Austin, TX: Like all Warm Audio products, the WA-1B is carefully hand inspected by expert music enthusiast technicians in Austin, Texas, USA.

Used for:

• Natural and versatile compression for vocals.
• Used to shape and control bass signals so they fit perfectly into the mix.
• Used to add professional compression to dynamic sources without compromising performance.

Specifications

• Faithful reproduction of the famous Scandinavian compressor, with optical/tube saturation and precise controls
• 100% discrete 270 volt analog signal path, made with hand-wired components in “through-hole” technology.
• Balanced input and output, thanks to large-section custom transformers from Sweden, Lundahl.
• Using 12AX7 Tung-Sol and JJ 12AU7 tubes.
• Frequency response between -3 dB: 5 Hz to 25 kHz.
• Noise floor: less than -75 dBU at 30 dB gain.
• CMRR (Common-Mode Rejection Ratio): Greater than 60 dB at 10 kHz.
• Ratio variable between 2:1 and 10:1.
• Threshold variable from “off” to -40 dBU.
• Continuously adjustable attack and release times, with fixed or manual options.
• “Fixed” setting – Attack: 1 millisecond | Release: 50 milliseconds.
• “Manual” setting – Attack: 0.5 to 300 milliseconds | Release: 0.05 seconds to 10 seconds.
• “Fixed/Manual” mode that combines the release times of fixed and manual settings.
• Output gain adjustable from “off” to +30 dBU.
• Input impedance: 600Ω.
• Two bus connectors to connect multiple side chains.
• Meter (VU) for input, output or amount of compression.
• Low noise linear power supply with toroidal power transformer.