Warm Audio WA-1B

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1-Channel Tube Opto-Compressor

With output transformers
True to the original 270 V, 100 % discrete analogue signal path - hand-wired
Tubes: 12ax7 Tung-Sol and JJ 12au7
Frequency range @ -3 dB: 5 - 25,000 Hz
Inherent-noise: < -75 dBU @ 30 dB gain
Ratio adjustable from 2:1 to 10:1
Variable threshold from off (+20 dBU) to -40 dBU
Continuously adjustable attack and release time
3 Different attack/release modes: fixed, manual and fix/man
Output gain: adjustable from off to +30 dBU
Balanced XLR and jack inputs and outputs
Input impedance: 600 Ohm
Two bus connectors for connecting multiple sidechains
Meter (VU) for input, output or compression
Dimensions: 483 x 184 x 89 mm
Weight: 3.9 kg

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since October 2023
Item number 577304
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Compressor Yes
Gate No
Peak Limiter No
2-Channel Unit No
Attack/Release Adjustable Yes

1.169 €

All prices incl. VAT

Sales Rank

in Compressors, Gates and De-essers

5 Customer ratings

5 4 Customers 4 1 Customer 3 0 Customers 2 0 Customers 1 0 Customers

4.8 / 5

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5 Reviews

Smooth, Musical and Full of Soul – A True Analog Gem

Theo Krimson 01.11.2025

I’ve been using the Warm Audio WA-1B mainly for vocals, and honestly, it exceeded my expectations.
It has that smooth, natural compression that glues the vocal perfectly without killing the dynamics. The tone feels warm and alive — it adds this subtle analog sweetness that plugins just can’t fully capture.

What impressed me most is how musical it reacts. Even with heavy compression, it never sounds squashed or harsh. I can push it hard and still get that silky, expensive vocal sound. It reminds me of the classic LA-2A style but with a slightly tighter and more modern feel.

Build quality is solid, the knobs feel premium, and it’s dead quiet — no noise, no hum, just pure tone.
If you’re into serious vocal recording or mixing, this unit will instantly level up your chain.
Definitely one of the best investments I’ve made for my studio!

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Smooth like butter!!!

Intueri 21.02.2024

Solid enclosure, smooth and forgiving compression.
Love the meter adjustment knob on the front panel. Much better than the 1176 which needs a screwdriver to adjust. The only con is that it needs adjustment a bit too often.
Great unit overall!!

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Es komprimiert!

Steffan 06.11.2023

Das Teil wird ja im Netz sehr kontrovers diskutiert, vor allem im Vergleich mit dem Tubetech CL-1B. Ich hab mir einfach ein paar Tracks von einem Reviewer runtergeladen und mit einem Goniometer verglichen. Da sieht man sehr deutlich, wie ähnlich die Geräte sind. Vom Frequenzgang her ist da nichts zu sehen, nur Unterschiede im Gain-Processing.
Die Kompression funktioniert super, sie ist eher weich und unauffällig. Das VU-Meter leistet gute Dienste. Übersteuern sollte man den Kompressor nicht, das klingt eher hässlich. Einziger Kritikpunkt ist die Meter Calibration, die muss mit viel Feingefühl bedient werden, den mechanischen Nullpunkt kann man nicht einstellen.
Ansonsten ein tolles Gerät, was aufgrund seiner Erscheinung etwas Mojo im Studio verbreitet.

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Niezły jako kompresor do budżetowego studia

Fox(epc) 30.04.2024

Zakupiłem kompresor, ale zwróciłem go. Miał zastąpić mojego BLA Bluey. Wydaje mi się, że Bluey miał troche lepszą jakość dżwięku. To inne konstrukcje, ale ze swojego lepiej wywiązywał się BLA. O tym, że odesłałem produkt zadecydowało zmulenie wokalu. Owszem, Wa1b dodaje coś fajnego do dżwięku, ale także przymula troche. Koloruje mocno wokal czego nie byłem w stanie zaakceptować. Zdecydowałęm się dołożyć do Tubesressora.

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