Tube-Tech CL 2A Dual Opto Compressor

The Tube-Tech CL 2A delivers smooth, transparent, and musical results on keyboards, guitars, vocals, or even the mix bus. Engineers appreciate its ability to keep instruments precisely placed in the mix while preserving their dynamics.

The Tube-Tech CL 2A is a dual-channel, all-tube optical compressor, with two independent channels. Its optical gain reduction element is positioned after the input transformer and is followed by an all-tube output amplifier providing +10 dB gain.

A link switch allows the two compressors to operate in stereo mode or to link multiple units together. Both input and output are balanced and equipped with fully floating transformers featuring a static screen.

The power supply and sidechain circuit utilise solid-state designs, and all DC voltages are stabilised, except for the anode voltage in the output stage.

What’s the difference between CL1B and CL2A?

The Tube-Tech CL 2A design is based on the famous CL1B but not exactly the same.

• Tube-Tech CL 2A versus Tube-Tech CL 2B: CL2A is based on the CL1B, but it’s not a stereo CL1B!
• Some differences exist between the two units: CL2A features a different optical element, with a little more “soft”or “rounded” action compared to the element in the CL1B.
• The amount of transparency you get when using the CL2A is similar to the CL1B.
• The tube amplifier circuit is basically the same, with the main difference being that the input transformer and the tube amps in the CL2A delivers a more “normal” amount of gain compared to the CL1B
• The control circuit has been changed so the CL2A’s max release time is two seconds.