It faithfully reproduces first-class Scandinavian tube compression, combining smooth tube warmth with precise control. Like the original inspiration, beloved by producers and engineers from Chris Lord-Alge to Rick Rubin, the WA-1B delivers the revered "forgiving" musical compression of optical tube circuits. Handcrafted to authentically reproduce the sound of the renowned original model, the WA-1B combines custom transformers from Swedish firm Lundahl, select tubes from JJ and Tung-Sol, and a premium high-precision optical element for ultra-fast and accurate operation without losing authentic analog warmth.
- For extended dynamics processing, the WA-1B offers all the classic, extended controls of the original inspiration, including 2:1 - 10:1 compression ratio, variable threshold, fixed/manual/combined attack and release, multiple metering options, dual sidechain bus connection and true -bypass.
- Threshold: The WA-1B supports a variable threshold value that allows the user maximum control over how much compression will be applied to any signal at various input levels.
- The ratio (compression ratio) of the WA-1B is variable and can be smoothly regulated in the range of 2:1 to 10:1. From subtle musical dynamic control to hard crushing compression
- Attack and Release: The Attack/Release controls on the WA-1B are unique in that the attack/release operation can be switched from a fixed setting, a manual (variable) setting, or a combination setting. In "fixed" mode, the WA-1B provides the natural attack & release time of the optical element. The combo setup in particular creates the opportunity for a smoother compressor release time curve. This dual constant time circuit operation is a special feature of the WA-1B and its original inspiration.
- Meter Switch: The WA-1B meter switch has three settings: input, compression, and output level. When set to "input", the VU meter shows the level at the input jack. When set to "compression" the VU meter senses gain reduction. The steady state is "0" and the amount of compression is displayed as the hand moves from right to left from 0 dB. When set to "output", the VU meter reads the level at the output jack.
- The on/bypass switch on the WA-1B activates or bypasses the compressor. This is a hard (true) bypass, which means that no signal passes through the circuit in bypass mode.
- Uncompromising design and components
- Premium Components: The WA-1B is a 270V circuit with hand-wired pass-through circuitry and a 100% discrete analog signal path. Custom large-core transformers from the Swedish company Lundahl bring the full analog tone of the WA-1B circuit in Scandinavian style. Paired with select JJ and Tung-Sol tubes, the high-precision optical element applies sweet analog warmth to audio signals with unmatched precision.
Like all Warm Audio devices, the WA-1B is carefully hand-tested and inspected by trained technicians with a passion for music in Austin, TX USA.
Optical compressor with tube circuit
- 100% discrete 270V analog signal path - manual wiring with pass-through components
- Transformer-balanced fully floating input and output - large self-core transformers from Scandinavian manufacturer Lundahl
- 12AX7 Tung-Sol & JJ 12AU7 tubes
- frequency range at -3 dB: 5 Hz to 25 kHz
- input impedance: 600 Ω
- inherent noise: < -75 dBU at 30 dB gain
- CMRR: > 60 dB at 10 kHz
- linear, low-noise power supply with toroidal power transformer
Controls and control
- Gain: 0 to +30 dBU
- Ratio: compression ratio 2:1 to 10:1
- Threshold: 0 to -40 dBu
- Attack - ramp-up with smooth time regulation
- Release - release/return with continuous time regulation
- two switchable SideChain inputs on TRS 6.3 (large jack)
- large vintage VU meter - input, output, compression
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