Warm Audio WA-1B

The Warm Audio WA-1B is a faithful reproduction of the prestigious Scandinavian compressor, combining the warmth of valve-optical saturation with extremely precise controls. Just like the original unit, beloved by producers of the caliber of Chris Lord-Alge and Rick Rubin, the WA-1B delivers that renowned "musical compression" typical of valve-optical circuitry, but with the speed and control of modern dynamic processing. The WA-1B is hand-built to capture the authentic sound of these famous electronic circuits and combines custom transformers sourced from Sweden (Lundahl), carefully selected valves, and a high-precision optical element for fast and accurate operation without sacrificing the warmth of analog sound.

Specifications

• Valve-optical sound with advanced controls: The WA-1B delivers that celebrated "forgiving musical compression" with additional speed and control options and excels especially on highly dynamic sources that require the characteristic warmth of analog.
• Controls faithful to the original: To provide extended dynamic processing, the WA-1B maintains all the classic controls of modern and classic inspiration.
• Threshold: The WA-1B supports variable threshold, giving the user maximum control over the amount of compression applied at different input levels.
• Ratio: The WA-1B's ratio 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 setting, manual (variable) or a combination of the two. In "fixed" mode, the WA-1B provides 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 meter switch offers three options: "input", "compression" and "output". When set to "input", the VU meter indicates the level of the incoming signal. In "compression" mode, the VU meter signals the gain reduction. The "0" represents the stable level, and the degree of compression is indicated by the needle movement. By setting the switch to "Output", the VU meter monitors the output signal level.
• On/Bypass: The On/Bypass switch activates or deactivates the WA-1B compressor. It is a total bypass, which means that in this mode, no signal passes through the circuit.
• 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. Carefully selected custom transformers from Sweden (Lundahl) give the WA-1B circuit its characteristic Scandinavian analog sound. Combined with selected JJ and Tung-Sol tubes, the high-precision optical element brings pleasant warm saturation to the audio signal with unparalleled precision. Hand-tested in Austin, TX: Like all Warm Audio products, the WA-1B is carefully inspected by hand by skilled music enthusiasts at Austin, Texas, USA.
• Faithful reproduction of the famous Scandinavian compressor, with optical/tube saturation and precise controls
• 100% fully discrete analog signal path at 270 volts, realized with hand-wired components in through-hole technology.
• Balanced input and output, thanks to custom large-section transformers from Sweden, Lundahl.
• Use of Tung-Sol 12AX7 and JJ 12AU7 tubes.
• Frequency response at -3 dB: 5 Hz to 25 kHz.
• Noise floor: lower than -75 dBU at 30 dB gain.
• CMRR (Common-Mode Rejection Ratio): greater than 60 dB at 10 kHz.
• Variable ratio between 2:1 and 10:1.
• Threshold variable from "off" to -40 dBU.
• Attack and release times continuously adjustable, 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.
• Adjustable output gain from "off" to +30 dBU.
• Input impedance: 600Ω.
• Two bus connectors for connecting multiple sidechain channels.
• Meter (VU) for input, output or compression amount.
• Low-noise linear power supply with toroidal power transformer.
• Natural and versatile compression for vocals.
• Used to shape and control bass signals so they fit perfectly in the mix.
• Used to add professional compression to dynamic sources without compromising performance.