WARM AUDIO WA-1B

Warm Audio WA-1B - Optical compressor with lamps and transformers Lundahl

The WA-1B warm Audio is a faithful recreation of the legendary Scandinavian optical compressor, famous for its analog heat with lamps and its musical and natural compression. Thanks to a design based on lundahl transformers, from an audio path 100 % analog discrete and high quality components, the WA-1B restores all the richness and flexibility of the original model, prized by renowned artists like Adele, Dr. Dr, Norah Jones or Lenny Kravitz. It offers this compression "forgiving", ideal for lead voices, acoustic instruments, bass and much more.

This compressor combines the sound character of vintage circuits one modern dynamic control, thanks to its independent settings threshold, ratio, attack, release and output gain. The WA-1B offers three modes of operation: Fixed (natural optical attack/release), Manual (continuous attack and release settings) and Fixed/Man (combined hybrid mode), allowing surgical accuracy on a warm sound basis. It also has selectable sidechain bus for chaining up to 10 WA-1B units and vU-meter calibration setting in front, ideal to stay creative without wasting time.

Behind its elegant façade, the WA-1B hides a meticulous design: signal path 270 V discreet, premium vacuum tubes, lundahl wide core transformers, and one clean noise less than -75 dBU. Each unit is assembled and tested by hand in Austin, Texas, by passionate musicians and engineers. Whether you're looking for a transparent or colourful compression, the WA-1B imposes itself as a professional tool with remarkable expressive capabilities.

Characteristics:

• Lamp optic compressor, symeterized transformer
  
  
• Design all analog, 270 V, passing components
  
  
• Lundahl transformers (input/output)
  
  
• Premium vacuum tubes for output gain
  
  
• Two connectors sidechain bus (Off, Bus 1, Bus 2)
  
  
• VU-signable meter (input, output, compression)
  
  
• Calibration adjustment of the VU-meter in front
  
  
• Power source linear low noise with o-transformer
  
  
• Ratio : from 2:1 to 10:1
  
  
• Threshold : variable from 0 to -40 dBU
  
  
• Output gain : up to +30 dBU
  
  
• Attack: Fixed mode : 1 ms / Manual mode: from 0.5 ms to 300 ms
  
  
• Release: Fixed mode: 50 ms / Manual mode: from 50 ms to 10 seconds / Fixed/Man mode: combination of both
  
  
• Attack/release mode selector : Fixed, Manual, Fixed/Man
  
  
• Frequency response : 5 Hz – 25 kHz (-3 dB)
  
  
• Signal to noise ratio : < -75 dBU @ 30 dB gain
  
  
• Common Mode Rejection (CMRR) : > 60 dB @ 10 kHz
  
  
• Manufacturer's warranty: 5 years
  
  
• Dimensions (W x H x P) : 483 x 89 x 178 mm
  
  
• Weight : 5.44 kg

Key Points:

• Lamp optic compressor 100 % analogue
  
  
• Full control with threshold, ratio, attack, release, gain
  
  
• Lundahl transformers on the entrance and exit
  
  
• Fixed, Manual and Hybrid Modes to adapt to any signal
  
  
• Hand tested and guaranteed 5 years