Warm Audio WA-1B

The WA-1B accurately recreates world-class compression combining smooth tube-optical warmth with precision controls. Delivering that revered “forgiving” musical compression with added speed and control functionality, the WA-1B excels on highly dynamic sources that demand analog warmth.

Warm Audio WA-1B Optical Compressor

An all-tube, transformer-balanced optical compressor that accurately recreates world-class optical compression combining smooth tube-warmth with precision controls.

Tube-Opto Tone With Extended Control: Delivering that revered “forgiving” musical compression with the added speed and control functionality, the WA-1B excels on highly dynamic sources that demand analog warmth.

True-To-Original Controls: To deliver extended dynamics processing, the WA-1B features all of the classic controls of its modern-classic inspiration.

Threshold: The WA-1B supports a variable threshold giving maximum control to the user regarding how much compression is applied to any signal at various input levels.

Ratio: The WA-1B ratio is variable and has infinite controls between 2:1 and 10:1. From soft musical dynamic control all the way to hard-smashing compression!

Attack & Release: The Attack/Release controls on the WA-1B are unique in that the attack/release operations can be switched from a fixed setting, manual (variable) setting, or a combined setting. In the "fixed" mode, the WA-1B delivers the natural attack & release time of the optical element. The combined setting in particular creates the opportunity for a more nuanced release-time curve. This dueling time-constant 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 levels. Set to "input", the VU meter is reading the level at the input connector. Set to "compression", the VU meter is reading gain reduction. The steady-state is “0”, and the amount of compression is shown as the needle moving right-to-left away from 0dB. Set to "output", the VU meter is reading the level at the output connector.

On/Bypass: The on/bypass switch on the WA-1B activates or bypasses the compressor. This is a hard bypass, meaning no signal passes through the circuitry in bypass mode.

Premium Components: The WA-1B is a 270v circuit with handwired through-hole circuitry, and 100% discrete analog signal path. The custom large-core transformers from Lundahl Sweden bring the full analog tone of the WA-1B circuit to life. Paired with select tubes from JJ and Tung-Sol, the high-precision optical element applies sweet analog warmth to audio signals with unrivaled accuracy.

Hand-Tested In Austin, TX: Like all Warm Audio gear, the WA-1B is meticulously hand-tested and inspected by trained technicians with a passion for making music in Austin, TX USA.

Key features

– Accurate recreation of a world-class Scandinavian compressor combining smooth tube-optical warmth with precision controls.
– True-to-spec 270 volts, 100% discrete analog signal path – handwired with through-hole components.
– Transformer-balanced fully floating input and output
– Custom-core large transformers from Lundahl in Sweden.

SPECIFICATIONS

– 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: 600