Warm Audio WA 1 B | Black Friday Special

The WA-1B accurately recreates world-class Scandinavian tube compression combining smooth tube-optical warmth with precision controls. Like the original inspiration favored by producers and engineers from Chris Lord-Alge to Rick Rubin, the WA-1B delivers that revered “forgiving” musical compression of tube-optical circuitry with speed and control more closely associated with modern dynamics processing. Hand-wired to authentically recreate the sound of a renowned circuit, the WA-1B combines custom large-core transformers from Lundahl Sweden, select tubes from JJ and Tung-Sol, and a premium high-precision optical element for ultra-fast and accurate operation without sacrificing authentic analog warmth.

To deliver extended dynamics processing, the WA-1B delivers all of the classic, extended controls of the original inspiration including infinite 2:1 - 10:1 ratios, variable threshold, fixed/manual/combined attack & release, - giving maximum control to the user. From soft musical dynamic control all the way to hard-smashing compression.

Attack & Release: These 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 reads 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 reads the level at the output connector.

The WA-1B is a 270v circuit with handwired through-hole circuitry and a 100% discrete analog signal path. The custom large-core transformers from Lundahl Sweden bring the full Scandinavian-style analog tone of the WA-1Bcircuit 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.

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.