Warm Audio WA-1B

"Forgiving" musical compression

The WA-1B is a detailed recreation of world-class Scandinavian compression, combining smooth opto-coupler and tube warmth with precise control. It features a 270V circuit with hand-wired through-hole circuitry and a 100% discrete analog signal path. Like its original role model, favoured by producers and engineers like Chris Lord-Alge and Rick Rubin, the WA-1B delivers the "forgiving" musical compression of tube-optical circuits with the speed and control more commonly associated with modern dynamics processing. Hand-wired to authentically recreate the sound of renowned circuits, the WA-1B combines custom Lundahl transformers with select JJ and Tung-Sol tubes and a premium precision optical element for ultra-fast and accurate operation without sacrificing authentic analogue warmth.

Control options just like the original

For advanced dynamics processing, the WA-1B has all the classic controls of its predecessor, including variable threshold and infinitely variable ratio from 2:1 to 10:1, allowing smooth, musical dynamics control through to hard, punchy compression. In addition, the WA-1B has a three-stage level meter switch with which the VU meter can be switched to input, compression and output level. The bypass switch also enables a quick A/B comparison of the signal to be processed, making it quick and easy to ensure that the compressor is doing what it should.

Do I want full control, or do I trust the opto-coupler?

The WA-1B's attack/release control is unique in that the attack/release settings can be switched between a fixed control, a manual (variable) control or a combined control. In "fixed" mode, the WA-1B delivers the natural attack and release time of the optical element. The combined control offers in particular the possibility of a more nuanced release time curve. This combination of the two time constants is a special feature of the WA-1B and its original source of inspiration.