Warm Audio has once again excelled with their rendition of the classic Tube-Tech CL1B compressor offering modern dynamic control while preserving the soulful vintage tone. The compressor feels extremely well built. Crafted with top-tier components like Lundahl Sweden's custom transformers it offers modern dynamic control while not losing the essence of the original tube-optical sound.

Its front panel mirrors the classic CL1B almost identically even though it stands at 2U in height, a notch less than the CL1B's 3U, which can be good in situations where you need to save on rack space. Its blue colour and white writing, just like the original, looks amazing and makes it very familiar to anyone who has worked on the CL1B previously.

From left to right the WA-1B front panel offers:

•Bypass Switch – This is a true bypass which ensures unaltered sound for accurate A/B comparisons during adjustments.
•Gain - Post compression make-up gain
•Attack - Manual: 0.5 - 300 milliseconds, Fixed: 1 millisecond
•Ratio - 2:1 to 10:1
•Release - Manual: 0.05 seconds - 10 seconds, fixed: 50 milliseconds
•Threshold – Sets the threshold at where the unit compresses
•Attack/Release – This is used to select:
•Fixed attach/release : Attack: 1 millisecond | Release: 50 milliseconds
•Fixed/Manual: blends the release times of fixed and manual mode.
•Manual: Attack: .5 - 300 milliseconds | Release: .05 seconds - 10 seconds
•Meter – Select between input/compression GR/output
•Sidechain – The dedicated sidechain bus selector offers three positions (Off, Bus 1, Bus 2), allowing you to interconnect and link up to 10 WA-1B compressors in your signal chain.
•Meter Calibration - Used to ensure the meter is perfectly calibrated to “0”

The rear of the unit offers both XLR and TRS input and output jacks. The WA‑1B, just like the original CL1B, doesn’t have an input gain control. I get the best results setting the input level into the unit is by switching the “Meter” switch to “Input” and using the output gain of the previous stage to control how much level I send to the WA-1B. I normally try to set the input, that at the highest peaks, the meter is hitting “0”. I feel this gives me a nice clean level, however in some circumstances it is nice to push the input going into the unit to get some nice input‑transformer harmonic distortion.

The WA-1B is what I would call a forgiving compressor, even at high compression settings its hard to make this unit sound bad.
Its impact on vocals is astounding, adding depth and finesse. The compressor’s transparency is remarkable, and although it feels like it compresses a little more than the original CL1B, producing a slightly darker tone, adjustments to attack and threshold settings are simple and can offset the difference very easily. The range of options you can get from this unit when compressing vocals is amazing. Some of my favourite setting for vocals are below:

Quick out of the box: (amazing for tracking vocals)
•Attack/Release: “Fixed”
•Ratio: “2:1”
•Threshold: Set that its compressing 2-3db at the loudest points
•Gain: Set to taste to bring back up to original level

Vocal Setting When Mixing
•Attack/Release: “Manual”
•Attack: “10 o clock”
•Release: Set to fast
•Ratio: “9 o’clock”
•Threshold: Set to taste but normally that its compressing 2-3db at the loudest points
•Gain: Set to taste to bring back up to original level

The unit’s performance with bass is noteworthy, combining clarity with warmth - indispensable for my tracking sessions.

Bass Tracking:
•Attack/Release: “Manual”
•Attack: “2 o clock”
•Release: “10 o clock”
•Ratio: “10 o clock”
•Threshold: Set that its compressing 4-5db at the loudest points
•Gain: Set to taste to bring back up to original level

It also handles acoustic guitars with finesse, enhancing harmonics and tone without dampening the transients, even on fast-paced strumming.

Acoustic Guitar:
•Attack/Release: “Manual”
•Attack: “3 o clock”
•Release: “10 o clock”
•Ratio: “10 o clock to 2 o clock”
•Threshold: Set that its compressing 4-5db at the loudest points
•Gain: Set to taste to bring back up to original level

How the WA-1B scores:

Sound Quality:
The sonic performance of the WA-1B is nothing short of impressive. As an owner of the original Tube-Tech CL1B I was stunned at how close these 2 units sound.

Ease Of Use:
The WA-1B’s intuitive design makes it a breeze to use right out of the box. Whether you opt for fixed or manual attack/release settings, dialling in the desired ratio and threshold is straightforward, yielding exceptional results. Its hard to make this box sound bad.

Features:
The precision of having the stepped switches is a game changer in my opinion, aiding quick and precise recall—especially useful when noting settings in your DAW. This, along with its ease of use, has made the WA-1B my go-to over the CL1B in mixing scenarios since I received the unit. The convenience of the front-mounted meter-Cal control is invaluable, maintaining workflow fluidity without the hassle of unracking gear for meter calibration.

Bang For Buck:
The WA-1B’s affordability is astonishing when considering its close resemblance to the original units in performance. It's an incredible value, especially for those seeking a versatile compressor that excels in both tracking and mixing, particularly with vocals. Its an incredible sounding, extremely well-built unit and I cannot recommend it enough.

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