14,000+ reviews

Warm Audio WA1B Tube Opto Compressor

WAR-WA1B - RRP $1,979.00
In store: None
Online: Yes
Online
$1,799.00
  • MasterCard
  • VISA
  • American Express
  • PayPal
  • Zip
  • Apple Pay

free

shipping!*
1

year warranty

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the shipping rates?

We offer free shipping on most items to metro areas in ACT, NSW, VIC, and QLD. If you are in a regional area we do offer great shipping rates, though it is often too expensive for us to offer free shipping. You can calculate shipping costs in the checkout and on item pages with your postcode.
Orders under $50 incur a minimum order fee to cover shipping.

Standard vs Express Shipping

Our shipping platform will automatically determine and display the Express or Standard shipping options that are available to you. If Express is not displaying, you're either located too far away from our store in Canberra, or the Standard shipping option will get it to you just as fast for the same price. Express shipping is 1-5 days, Standard 2-10 days depending on how far you are away from our store in Canberra.

What payment methods do you offer?

We offer secure checkout options like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Zip Pay and Bank Deposit.
American Express payments are also accepted, although most AmEx transactions will require manual authorization after payment (Someone from the team will contact you to confirm the transaction after checkout)

What payment methods do you offer?

We offer secure checkout options like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Zip Pay and Bank Deposit.
American Express payments are also accepted, although most AmEx transactions will require manual authorization after payment (Someone from the team will contact you to confirm the transaction after checkout)

Can I cancel my order?

If you need to cancel your order it is best to give our online team a call on (02) 6282 3199
On weekends our online team may not be operating. Either give us a call monday morning or reply to your order email and we will endeavour to stop goods leaving the store.

Need Assistance?

Feel free to contact us by phone, email or chat

  • (02) 6282 3199
  • Talk to our experts on live chat
  • 18 Salamander Court, Phillip 2606, ACT
  • Map

The WA-1B accurately recreates world-class Scandinavian compression, combining smooth tube-optical warmth with precision controls. Like its 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.

Overview:

Tube-Opto Tone With Extended Control: Delivering that revered “forgiving” musical compression with the added speed and control functionality, the WA-1B excels on highly dynamic sources that demand analog warmth.

True-To-Original Controls:To deliver extended dynamics processing, the WA-1B features all of the classic controls of its modern-classic inspiration. 

Threshold: The WA-1B supports a variable threshold giving maximum control to the user regarding how much compression is applied to any signal at various input levels.

Ratio: The WA-1B ratio is variable and has infinite controls between 2:1 and 10:1. From soft musical dynamic control all the way to hard-smashing compression! 

Attack & Release: The Attack/Release 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 is reading 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 is reading the level at the output connector.

On/Bypass: The on/bypass switch on the WA-1B activates or bypasses the compressor. This is a hard bypass, meaning no signal passes through the circuitry in bypass mode. 

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

Hand-Tested In Austin, TX: 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

More Information
Brand Warm Audio
Got bluetooth? No
Built in effects? No
Paco

Got Questions?

Read our FAQ, find our contact deets or book a Video Call with an expert from our store. We can answer any and all questions live, and even demo products for you!

Customer Reviews

Free Musician Advice

Get in touch to request a 1 on 1 consultation
with our expert musicians.
Available Mon - Fri.
Alternatively call us on (02) 6282 3199

Book a virtual Consultation Book now

Want to know more about music?

We write a bunch of helpful articles, news and reviews

Visit our blog
Servicing & Repairs
LEARN MORE
AV Installations
LEARN MORE
Trade-ins!
LEARN MORE
Pre-owned pianos
LEARN MORE