Warm Audio WA-1B Optical Compressor

The Warm Audio WA-1B is an all-tube, transformer-balanced optical compressor that faithfully recreates the renowned Scandinavian compression style, blending smooth tube-optical warmth with modern precision controls.

Key Features:

• Versatile Compression Modes: The Warm Audio WA-1B offers multiple modes to suit various compression needs:
  • Fixed Mode: Delivers the natural attack and release times of the optical element, ideal for sources requiring gentle, musical compression.
  • Manual Mode: Allows users to dial in custom attack and release settings via front-panel controls, providing precise dynamic control for more demanding applications.
  • Fixed/Manual Mode: Combines the fixed attack time (1 ms) with user-adjustable release settings, offering a balance between consistency and flexibility.
• Comprehensive Control Set: Equipped with threshold, ratio, attack, release, and makeup gain controls, the WA-1B enables detailed tone shaping without sacrificing vintage tube-optical warmth.
• Sidechain Bus Selector: Features a dedicated sidechain bus selector with three positions (Off, Bus 1, Bus 2), allowing interconnection and linking of up to ten WA-1B compressors in a signal chain for complex processing tasks.
• Front-Mounted Meter Adjust Control: Includes a conveniently located meter adjust knob on the front panel, facilitating quick calibration of the VU meter without interrupting workflow or requiring access to the rear of the unit.

Applications:

The Warm Audio WA-1B excels in a variety of recording scenarios, imparting rich warmth and dynamic control to:

• Vocals: Enhances lead and rap vocals, ensuring they sit prominently and naturally within the mix.
• Bass: Provides tight, deep compression for bass instruments, maintaining clarity and presence.
• Acoustic Guitars: Balances dynamics, delivering a polished and cohesive acoustic guitar sound.

By combining vintage-inspired tube-optical tone with modern dynamic control, the Warm Audio WA-1B offers engineers and producers a versatile and reliable compressor suitable for a wide range of audio sources.