FIRST LOOK - WA-1B All-Tube Opto Compressor | Warm Audio SHOOTOUT + Stems

[@Producelikeapro]

What are some of your favourite compressors? Share below!

[@SheldonGoode]

My fav is the LA-2A went #1 with it twice Donell Jones/U know what's up and Ruff Endz/No more😎

[@JordiCristau]

The Pianist and the recording of the Session

[@andreirlmeier]

Alesis dirty six dirty

[@JordiCristau]

inward connections Brute II or TreeAudio LCT1. Pete Place BAC500. EL distressor,

[@ismailfardane3207]

I don't know if im doing something wrong but i use an 11 76 on practically anything bass snare vocals(and la-2a) guitars i only use the dbx 160 for the bass drum and the fairchild for my drum bus but then it depends on the style of music

[@delmixedit]

It's subtle. The Warm has it's signature sound that I've noticed after owning several of their products. For 1/3 of the price I'll definitely be getting one!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!!

[@mumbles215]

You’re better off getting a distresser for that money. It will regain value much better but also be much more flexible.

[@nicefish10]

I second the opinion above…. Get a Distressor instead…. People will also take you more seriously with the. Distressor.

[@JBrm]

Everyone knows to get a distressor, but those are just sooo ugly 😅

[@chicnwafflesband]

I’ve had the opportunity to use the CL1B many times. I gave a WA1B and I’m completely impressed with the way it sounds and the quality of the build. It sounds amazingly as close as you can get at an economical price.

[@AnnikaBovender]

Glad I could help out with the vocals on this video! Thanks for having me in the studio Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Great work! Thanks ever so much!

[@jaydominikoski6264]

Your so right, we didn't deserve it

[@jameslifetimelearner]

Great for us to hear you! We are great full to be so Blessed are we not.

[@DirtyRed]

That song is so beautiful she sang. Man I need that in my playlist asap. Wow

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, wonderful singer

[@zilamike]

As always, you`re doing a fantastic job ! Also, between them, i couldn`t care less, the warm is perfect for anyone .

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@arrivalsband9201]

great vocals à10:00

[@adambradley3284]

28:30 you nailed it. I listened back with my eyes closed so many times and could no longer hear a difference.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing! I appreciate you listening through the video

[@theCarouselPainter]

Crazy enough i almost like the WA better on this section.. It's very subtle but it squishes some of these low ends.

[@johnisrael5183]

Well a Big Thanks to WA Audio for caring about the Home Producer I think SSL get further with the Home Producer by being willing to make their products more affordable, Warm is on its on its way to becoming as big as dbx

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much John! I really appreciate it

[@3jahel7]

Amazing song!!! Wow!! The Lord knows i needed to hear it right now

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous! Thanks for sharing!

[@arthur.monticelli]

Warren, we love your content! Please don't ever stop!!🤩🤩

[@Producelikeapro]

Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much

[@kamenbiz]

Yeah I think I’m sold on that Wa1b … Almost identical is good enough for us home studio producers!

[@harpoleon6806]

😂😂😂😂

[@MrMusic-nd5to]

You're the master Warren! Another outstanding video! The WA-1B sounds fantastic! 🎸

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! Glad you enjoyed the demo!

[@DirtyRed]

The CL1B seems to be just a bit smoother from the first test but just tad bit

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@gearslasher7383]

I downloaded the stems and panned them left and right and watched the gonio meter. It's amazing, how close they are, but it's more the gain processing itself than the frequency response. Looping small portions I could phase cancel it to -30 dB difference, which is less than 3% difference. I'm pretty sure, one could get a better matching between the two units by accurately setting threshold and ratio to the same values. Trusting the numbers on potentiometer scale should be possible and it would be great, but in reality, pots do differ quite a lot. Thanks for the stems, Warren, they are awesome!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@Producelikeapro]

I really appreciate you taking the time to explain your process

[@gatorbullproductions6246]

Great comparison, Warm Audio 1B worth buying.

[@DirtyRed]

Warm has done it again. Gonna go ahead and add this in front of my WA2A before I hit the Apollo. Already running the WA47 Mic so this should really make my vocals shine even better and for a fraction of the cost of an actual tube tech.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@dspoet1]

For the ones who are saying the Tube Tech is better couldn’t pick it out in a blind test. They just mad that Warm Audio has made something so close to the original. I have the WA1B paired with the Shelford Channel for tracking. To make up the small difference, I just use red silk on 25%. Is it $3000 difference. Not at all.

[@mattytwohatsmusic]

What a beautiful piano sound at 8:00 gorgeous vocal sound too

[@leefchapman]

That's pretty damn close! Amazing.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@antcall6779]

Finally!!!!! Been waiting for this 😁🤘 great as always warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@mannysmiclocker]

Pretty incredible and so musical! This is going to help so many new artist that can’t afford big time studio rates to achieve quality vocals ❤

[@DoctorMandible]

$1,200 just for one piece of hardware - which is readily achieved with free VST plugins - is hardly the home studio breakthrough you're describing.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Manny

[@JYOUNGSFL]

@@DoctorMandiblelol $25/mo at Sweetwater 🤷🏽‍♂️ sounds like a no brainer to me. Plus nothing beats analog hardware. Real Tubes!

[@Intrinsic.Recording]

Really? We're talking a T*BET*CH here. Plugins have come a long way. But I'd track through that warm. Print with it. Commit! And it'd be better than any plugin. $1200 for a tube opto comp that sounds great? A main comp for acoustic gtrs and vocals? Bass? A flippin' steal man. People are getting spoiled nowadays with cheap stuff. Thing is, most of it, sounds...er...cheap. This sounds I gotta say expensive. Tube gear isn't easy to do either. IMHO, warm did a great job. I'm kinda shocked at how good it sounds. Maybe go look at a manley if you think this is expensive.@@DoctorMandible

[@obangamuzik]

@@DoctorMandibleDon’t ever compare vst to hardware 😂 You’re dealing with real tubes Vs emulations . Analog will always give you more!

[@busyworksbeats]

That Boi got soul 🤯🔥

[@fantaztikbeatz]

Yeah he does

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes! Wonderful singer

[@Producelikeapro]

Indeed! Great singer

[@_allcap]

The warm is darker in overall tone and the CL1B seems to have more dimension. For the price Warm did a great job.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing! Interesting that there are so many contradictory statements of how they sound here! Definitely shows that we all hear things so differently. Thanks ever so much

[@_allcap]

Thanks for doing the comparison @@Producelikeapro

[@Producelikeapro]

@@_allcapyou’re very welcome

[@tom_k_d]

@@ProducelikeaproHi Warren, if you still have both at hand it would indeed be an interesting experiment to just exchange the tube set between these two, to take the tube quality out of the equation (a tube change being one of the rare things that could easily be 'fixed in post', meaning past purchase, on the WA).

[@agoogleuser7832]

@@Producelikeapro Don't be so magnanimous. Warm isn't even in the parking lot of the ball park! What allcap said..."The warm is darker in overall tone and the CL1B seems to have more dimension."

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

Love that you went into so much detail with this comparison! It is close, but as you showed with the EQ (ugh why’d you use the waves Paz though?! Why not fab filter pro q3 for a much more detailed curve?) there are tonal differences. Warm is a bit… warmer? Likely in how it compresses. I don’t see this as a good thing though as i often remove lower mids from my vocals to have it sit better in my mix. So that means more work for me. Seems like the tube tech will enhance my mixes and save time. Appreciate this kind of shootout to highlight those differences.

[@legacyShredder1]

I have two of the CL1B comps for when I'm tracking two singers at the same time. I don't know the age of either of my units although one appears to be significantly older than the other. They both track differently. One is less aggressive in the low mids while the other has a slight boost. The one with the dip in the mids actually clamps down on the highs more, which you would expect from the other one. At the end of the day they're both good. I probably wouldn't have any issues whatsoever with the Warm.

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

@@legacyShredder1 good to know! I will say that this is probably the most accurate clone warm has done. Glad they are stepping up their quality still feels off somehow. I’ve never used an actual unit only the plugins. I have used actual 1176s though and the warm is not great there. Though everything they make is a bit better than most plugins. I would also worry about the build quality and how long the parts will last because I’ve heard a lot of stories about their other products.

[@metalman3227]

Waves PAZ is the standard in most Mastering Rooms

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, as has been said the Paz has been a standard for so many years, there's others of course! Whatever you personally prefer would be great!

[@Hello-pl2qe]

Great singers you got there.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@neilfaulkner575]

Thanks Warren! So excited to learn of this affordable version of a classic. I am in the UK and have just ordered one from Thomann (who seem to be the only retailer sourcing to the UK right now). Cant wait to get this into my workflow. Always appreciate your clearly honest reaction to gear. Respect!

[@Producelikeapro]

Please let us know how you get on!

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Love how you put all gear though the test!!!!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it

[@thomasvandalen7103]

I bought a Bae 10dc last month, also very colourful when you drive the output on vocals!

[@Producelikeapro]

I have a pair of those! Really great

[@thesameeffect]

Best review and comparison video. This is the way you do it. Nothing beats the original but the warm will get you there with tweaks.

[@Producelikeapro]

I appreciate that!

[@anthemmakersmusic]

Its definitely a great unit!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing

[@whisperthiefmusic]

Warren just chilling with 3 awesome singers and great songs :) The Warm unit sounds great though!

[@Producelikeapro]

Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much

[@projektgemineye748]

Fantastic video!! Im in the market for a nice compressor. Im a big fan of WARM Audio stuff....so im thinking this maybe the way to go. Thanks again for doing this...its extremely helpful.

[@fantaztikbeatz]

I'm thinking this is the way to go to

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous!@@fantaztikbeatz

[@stephenfleming8030]

Warm are knocking it out the park with their products. And videos like this just serve to illustrate that at least with some brands of 'clones', the percieved difference between them is no greater than the difference between two otherwise identical name brand units, such is the nature of tolerences between components. Excellent video. A methodically consistent and fair comparison with a real world everyday usage example. If only all comparisons were this diligent!

[@papa_da_engineer]

Absolutely marvelous, going to have to add the wa - to my to get list 🎉🎉

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@billyhughes9776]

I can hear a difference. To my hears it's subtle but the original sounds more clear on top and cleaner overall. A 1/4 of the price,...wow -- the Warm does sound very good -- Fantastic demo -- thanks Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing your opinion!

[@byus6928]

def hear a difference. cl1b sounds amazing.

[@JohnBaptist-o2f]

impressive...very similar but with the settings you've selected...i actually prefer the sound of the WA...so much more in your face and focused. Also, "We didnt deserve it..." I hear and know that message....Thanks for all You do Warren!....Godbless

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing your opinion

[@1loveMusic2003]

You got it lookin like a stereo pair. Pretty close!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@robmillisTW2]

Fantastic. The Warm is definitely a valid choice - I wonder if two different TubeTech units side by side would actually have as many differences?

[@legacyShredder1]

My two tube techs are pretty far apart. There is no way I could pair them on a stereo bus.

[@robmillisTW2]

@@legacyShredder1 as an organist I get this all the time: is the Nord B3 sound better than the Hammond Suzuki one? Or the Yamaha one? And they'll pee and moan about them all. Wheel in two B3s and even through the same Leslie they'll be wildly variable and the differences between the various modern clones won't even be a thing!

[@legacyShredder1]

@@robmillisTW2 I've got so many classic gear pieces that are identical but sound different. I've got microphones that are supposed to be stereo pairs, but they're different. Many of my vintage preamps are closer in sound to each other, but they can still vary a lot. Many of my compressors are just off the charts different to the other. I've got vintage stereo compressors that one side is wildly different to the other. At the end of the day we're making music and art not science projects. A lot of the gear that gets lusted after today was used back in the day just happened to be available at the time. The musicians are special, not so much the gear.

[@operasinger2126]

@@legacyShredder1 Yes. A million-dollar studio won't make a bad song good.

[@legacyShredder1]

@@operasinger2126 I'll 2nd that motion with proof: The Shaggs, My Pal Foot Foot.

[@maco34576]

thanks for not telling me what to think and only showing us and letting us make the decision

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for appreciating that!!

[@David-y2e4v]

dang it, another piece of gear for my Sweetwater wish list

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha thanks for sharing

[@dzezydzerk]

great video ! please make blind full mix test next time for those who think that different is so big 😀

[@Producelikeapro]

That’s a marvellous idea!

[@ProducerStefanSchnabel]

AWESOME PRODUCT!

[@TheMystro242]

WA-1B All-Tube Opto Compressor DOPE DOPE

[@adamphillips6747]

Is Annika(?) available for demo work? Great voice.

[@J-DUB-F1]

That was fun!...... I gotta tell ya, while my ears are nowhere near as finely tuned as yours, I don't hear a big obvious difference in normal use ???. I've rented CL1-B's numerous times over the years. They always took a bit of tweaking for me to get what I wanted, but when you get there it's fantastic!. With Warm Audio stuff I hear a lot more obvious differences with the WA-76 and an original Rev D 1176, The WA has a more obvious grittyness to it. With the female Jazz voc the WA had a bit more edge in the upper mids?, but it didn't bother me. For the male voc at 33:10 I thought without the high-pass, the CL-1B had a touch more low-mid warmth. But with the high-pass, the WA-1B difference is so small I don't know if it's worth mentioning??. I'd love to hear it on bass. The WA-1B doesn't show an obvious mechanical difference until you smash it. Could that be down to quality of components?, transformer, tubes?. Is the real thing worth the $3k-4k difference??......my spicy take is, no, imho 💁‍♂

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!!

[@J-DUB-F1]

@@Producelikeapro and your comment of, if the WA-1B had a fancy paint job and didn't say Warm Audio, people would have no misgivings. Like if it were called, Forest Tone Creations, with knobs made of redwood, people would be ooooh'ing and ahhhh'ing 😏

[@thomasvandalen7103]

My schwerkraftmachine from Tegeler audio is also killer on so many things. So many tubes, it sounds so sweet.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! We love Tegeler

[@gbsrecords]

I second that opinion on the Tegeler. And the fact that it's completely recallable and automated via its plugin is a game changer. I write automation into the compressor, changing the input, the ratio, the attack, etc, throughout a mix or while tracking. Insane. And the ability to change the detector circuit EQ and high pass; unbelievably useful! Sounds *amazing* as well!

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, great company!@@gbsrecords

[@captainslapem]

Can you post some info about Monica and the song she recorded?

[@Techoftomorrow]

Great channel thank you

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@fredtimothy940]

Appreciate the comparison! The CL1B is a standby for sure. Personally I prefer the sound of the LCA 2B - it has a lot more consistent attack on every syllable, it doesn’t smear anything. But it’s expensive as all get out. Maybe Warm can do that one next.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@TigroGumi]

Not quite as forward... but only fractionally, which I think can be brought back with a tiny bit of the parallel of the original signal

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@jiroe9294]

I've personally used the CL1b so many times but idk if I'd obsess so much about it to pay so much for it or a clone, like I actually prefer the 1176 on vocals

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing! I use a DBX160 VU into an 1176!

[@jiroe9294]

@@Producelikeapro Love the DBX160! one of my favorite compressors 🤘

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!@@jiroe9294

[@AlexanderSzokolyai]

Tone wise, they sound near enough to be identical in a blind. But I think from the get go, the Warm doesn't grab it as much as the TubeTech. Subtle, but not something you couldn't get round with another fast plugin comp following it up. Love your videos Warren!

[@Notmuchherereallytbh]

just ordered 1

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing

[@KlemenKotar]

Yeah! He's got that Ray LaMontagne vibe :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes! Marvellous!

[@jaymanhire]

Great comparison. Nice work, thank you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@realraven2000]

Sounds great, I saw some other reviews today and I think the WA reacts a little faster, so if you are matching knobs, slow down that attack knob.

[@Producelikeapro]

Actually the attack on the Warm is slower than the Tube Tech

[@realraven2000]

@@Producelikeapro ok! Maybe i got mixed up with release….

[@JakeLewisReal]

@@realraven2000the release on the warm is also slower. Watch end of video he turns the knobs all the way and on his units the warm is slower than the tube tech for both attack and release on fastest settings

[@captainslapem]

Damn that WA is nice! I don't hear anything immediately that easily seperates them.

[@elektriceye]

They do sound close. But the WA sounds brighter and thinner and more mid scooped to my ears. Imo, you get what you pay for, and 1k for the wa gets you a good comp!

[@iyoran4838]

i think a tube swap could do wonders to this warm audio unit, since it's also has a good build quality

[@elektriceye]

@@iyoran4838 it might, but I think where WA cuts costs is the xformer. As with a lot of audio gear. If an xformer swap was possible, it would likely get you 90% there.

[@jdc6681]

Warren, thank you for another great, in-depth review / shootout! Would you recommend the WA-1B over the WA-2A for smooth vocal compression application?

[@Producelikeapro]

I’m the wrong person to ask as I don’t like LA2A’s very much haha so I would always go with a CL1B!

[@jdc6681]

@@Producelikeapro Ha!..did not expect that answer! Thanks much!

[@EudoxeP]

Seems like the TubeTech has more compression in the low mid WA sounds more nasal and don't have that smooth lows, as the plugin :(

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing your opinion

[@RockmannMusic]

I mean, everything hardware is better than a plugin

[@jorgiewtf]

As someone who graduated from full sail in 05’ and then worked in a major recording studio for 6 years, I still can’t believe we have a company like WA who makes analogue gear that sounds like just like the classic legendary gear they’re all emulating. Still somehow… people complain. All I can say is: “We didn’t deserve it”! I own the WA-76 and I just can’t tell the difference from the original, SPECIALLY in a mix!

[@chrispschultz]

From the KZbin A/B comparison the Warm sounds like it’s going through a side chain and not compressing the highs above 6k. I definitely hear a bump around 12.5k. It sounds like CL is compressing more evenly across the whole frequency spectrum. This could just be the difference in transformers. To me the Warm is a little harsh at the very top. Thanks for a great video.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@user-mj3ir4mk9z]

bollocks..

[@adieltm]

Great to see you work on a gospel record Warren

[@Producelikeapro]

Would LOVE to!

[@relaxmax6808]

to paraphrase you in a comical way, I would say that between the CL1B and the Wa1B: "the subtle difference between the 4000K...$"😄

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@AndyKub]

Well done Warren! And you did speculate that comparing another CL1B might yield different results. This is true, but not only due too age difference of both units, but of the fact that new electronic components have tolerances. Though today's tolerances are tighter than those of the past, you might only hear the difference when you do a null test, that would be fun too, no? And, another rabbit hole worth investigating would be tube rolling some of the 12AX7s and 12AU7s. Gold Lions are more costly than JJs, or even Mullards might prove to sound better in these units! Long plates vs short? I have the WA2As and have some NOS (New old stock) in them I "borrowed" from an amp I need refurbished, but I am tempted to get either the Mullards or Gold Lions...

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Andy for the amazing comment! I really appreciate it

[@Producelikeapro]

I would definitely be I rogues to see how swapping out components could improve the units

[@AndyKub]

After years of listening to your wonderful videos it's the least I could do 😀@@Producelikeapro

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks very much!@@AndyKub I appreciate your support

[@trapboihustle5009]

Awesome content as usual. Job well done thanks 👏🏿👏🏿

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks so much!

[@nicolasblanckaert2035]

I... Prefer t0he Warm ? Like... It's... Warmer ? Joke beside I hear a little difference and love the Warm... oh yeah allright you said it HAHA nice I heard the difference it brightens my day for real, thanks ever so much Warren ! great performers you got here by the way It makes me wonder, why are the waveforms different from a comp to another ? I know about compression but can't seem to understand why it hanges waveforms so much on a vertical axis, if you know what I mean... ?

[@snotnosedpunk7995]

Bit more open on the top end on the Warm Audio than the CL1B. More Saturation on the CL1B. But it's very close. Much closer than the Tubesessor from Heritage Audio I would say, at a much cheaper price too.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing! Again very interesting that everyone heard them quite differently

[@whereyourmusicsoundbetter]

How much you would compress with the WA-1B when tracking lead vocals?

[@Producelikeapro]

3 ish DB, a little less or a little more works great

[@marcossnchz9820]

Feels like the Tube Tech has some sort of low frequency harmonics or basically pushes that part to a more crity place

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing! Interesting to note that everyone is stating different things that hear, fascinating! We all hear things quite differently indeed

[@eprotz]

Fairly close! I wonder if you have 2 CL-1B units and have the same kind of differences.

[@tonygunz21]

I’ve found pretty much all cl1bs to sound the same, so i’m guessing the tolerances are very tight on the components they use, unlike some vintage gear.

[@metalman3227]

Interesting, my two sound different and a couple of other people here have said the same thing. I assume yours and the same age and have had the same kind of wear etc?@@tonygunz21

[@tonygunz21]

@@metalman3227 I only have one, but have used several different units at various studios, and I've never heard a discernable difference. Even when dubbing tracks that were cut on the different units, they've been indistinguishable, assuming every other part of the chain is the same . Now with you having two units that sound different, that may be evidence of variations between units. That just hasn't been my experience with using different units over the years.

[@christianschneiderphoto]

I've had the tube tech some years ago. And the TT has a creamyness to it that's hard to explain, even the Softube has it. I don't think the WA has it. Compressor characteristics sure, but I think the WA is to grabby as well, the TT sounds to me a bit more open and natural. But really small differences, the price difference is bigger lol.

[@Producelikeapro]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing, the tests we did and others too suggest that the WA isn’t as grabby, after all the attack isn’t quite as super fast

[@BrucePercyPhoto]

I'd agree. I scanned the comments to see if anyone mirrored what I had heard. The TubeTech has a mid presence that the Warm Audio didn't have, and this is interesting because I'm here due to another review I saw where the Warm had more of that midband than the ELOP+ that I own. I think the TubeTech is really beautiful and has a body to it that the Warm doesn't have. Call it presence, or forwardness, I don't know.

[@andylfreespace]

The performance compared to printing to a final take ? Does it really make a diff?

[@hisroyalsucculence]

Warm was a bit more harsh sounding soloed, which was confirmed by your frequency snapshots. I actually preferred it in the mix however as it was a bit more forward.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Hahaha CUT YOU OFF IN YOUR PRIME 😂 you did you really did. Those are the funniest moments in the studio cutting the vocalist off mid take lol

[@Somebodysomewhere2]

what do you think of the Herchild in the background ?

[@Producelikeapro]

I haven’t used it yet

[@charlesdesancerre]

@6:28 i can hear the difference. More definition clarity with the Tube Tech.

[@erickgutierrez5798]

Close , Cl1b sounds better , but for the fraction of Price , Fire !!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing your opinion

[@cowabungaw9958]

interesting the WA-1B power lamp has a flicker. Time will tell how reliable the warm will fare. As some other commenters, I too like my UAD Softube plugin.

[@fenderbender6664]

The warm has a led and the tubetech a “real” lightbulb… that’s why you see a flicker…

[@JorgeEgrejasFrancisco]

Thanks for such a detailed test, Warren. It’s evident the value of the two units and specially the WA1B for its cost. Nevertheless, I confess hearing a difference in sound between both units across all the video. To me, the CL1B is always more transparent and preserves more the vocals performance dynamics; the WA1B has always a longer sustain with a kind of (low)mids saturation, more pronounced on the first trackings. It seems that the WA1B has a much slower release time applicable on all ratios (and not just with 10:1 and above), but the exact technical reason will be for you to guess (I’m not an expert like you). As a side note I would like to congratulate the girl’s (Anneke?) performance in the video, which is a complete marvel; she is real superb 👏

[@AmiliaCaraMia]

Sounds like it's in the ballpark to me 🤷 Past that, I couldn't care less. If it's doing something cool then I can't complain. I picked up a real Cl1b last year and it's great on pianos and synths actually. The attack / release times can do some serious reshaping of sounds with fast attacks. Hopefully the WA version can get this style of compressor into the hands of more people. Very cool 🙌

[@JoelWard1]

I had this video on full screen and got so sucked into listening that after opening my eyes, I instantly pressed cmd+s as I saw Pro Tools on my screen. Reflexes, man... But yeah, whatever. Time to grab a WA-1B. Sold.

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha I’ve done the same thing many times!!

[@EmperorKamikaze]

I once had an Orban Optimod fm. Useful for certain vibes as a master bus or on stems. Currently using a real drawmer 241 or just plugins as I save for one of these warm baddies

[@kevoladams1454]

I like the WA-1B on the male vocal the add brightness rather then the cl1b sounds pretty similar. But the warm is doing something I like. on a blink fold comparison I don't think no one could tell. Two analog compressors are not going to sound identical attack and release etc.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@Joey-rp5vg]

Waoh that was an awesome review and shoot-out. Maybe the Warm doesn't have to be exactly the same as the tube-tech, it just needs to be good.........corny, I know, but true. Thanks very much for the great video

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks Joey! Glad you enjoyed the video! I really appreciate it

[@DYunginBeatz]

So I got a question, may I sample the female vocal test?

[@Producelikeapro]

Whatever you’d like to do! Please just make sure to mention us

[@JavierSanchez-oj3ds]

Listen to the detail “S” top end is what separate the quality of a compressor , Cl1B is still better , but for the price warm is ok, At the end of the day both units works fine depending of what you want , if you want to save money go with the warm , if you really want te best and have the money get the cl1b ,

[@toonertik]

Wallet says no.. no more gear.. no no no.. Always enjoy your content ;0)))

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@jefflittle4427]

I like my Warm 76, but this Warm compressor added a little low-mid cloud to the male and female vocals…or the CL1B added clarity, which it is hopefully not doing. I wanted the Warm to compete. I guess if your mic and pre cause a little harshness, then the Warm wins. Also, I don’t own a Tubetech CL1B.

[@patrickalphenaar]

Sound pretty similar! I love Warm Audio, i have two EQP’s and the 2MPX and pretty happy with that. Maybe this unit is next………. Nice vid! Thanks a lot! Cheers

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@kos.studio9304]

So damn curious to hear warm vs heritage…TBH warm did a great job for all the affordable gears and of course the sound you hear is not the sound everyone else hear.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks! Yes, comparisons like this are pretty huge for us

[@kos.studio9304]

@@Producelikeapro you’re the best warren

[@Producelikeapro]

You Rock!@@kos.studio9304

[@hakanjohnson2726]

Yes the Warm vs Tbesessor from Heritage as ”i think” the HA will be a different beast but thats me guessing. We use HA 609 and Britstrip and the Ram 2000 amd love them on certain things BUT we have a Neve version of the 609 and it has slightly more ”heft” so again clones are good but original gear unfortunately beats clones everytime.

[@Producelikeapro]

@@hakanjohnson2726thanks ever so much for sharing! I will say that the BAE 1073s I have sound as good if not better than my originals. I think that’s a fairly well accepted belief

[@kenntakac5034]

I have to say Warm really nailed the colour!

[@Rhuggins]

Strong disagree

[@RockmannMusic]

Yep, they did a good paint job on their enclosure

[@mikesnydermusic]

Warm has a signature pattern of having very present low mids and a dip at 5k, see it in the wa47 and wa2a. Not necessarily a bad thing, I liked how the vocals sounded better solo’d with Lyndcraft, but was intrigued how vocals meshed with track with Warm. Would bet a good tube swap combo could change everything for either though 😆 Great video as always

[@hakanjohnson2726]

It’s ”LYDKRAFT” if we are gonna nitpock on sound vs price etc The warm sounds great and no one will ever hear anything else in a finished production! We have both and for testing purposes we borrowed the WA and then it stayed as both our CL1 and WA1b has a place in a serious studio.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing Mike!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing your real world opinion!@@hakanjohnson2726

[@brothertoughlove]

I’m not an expert but it seems to the CL1B had a different WOOMP on the bottom end other than that is was indistinguishable.

[@carl-magnusconsitt7389]

Thank you for a very detailed and accurate comparison with different vocalists in solo and in the mix. Thorough and very professional test! My own opinion is; very close..but... Warmaudio has a little more pronounced "Carnhill transformer" character" in its tone compared to the softer, creamier TubeTech. Possibly around 4.8- 5khz. We're talking more than "experience" "tone" character" than frequencies here! Has Warmaudio possibly thrown their "carnhill transformer" into the signal chain? Thanks for a great review!

[@hauntedbytheliving1175]

It’s funny you say this… I always feel like Carnhill translates to a little “harder” & brighter, perhaps less euphonic sound than say Sowter

[@joeydego2]

It'd different tonally. The tube tech a little more in the 800hZ range on the first vocal. And you're right, they grab different. Again with female jazz. There sounds like more air with the WA. I think I'll wait for the Audio-Scape version.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing. Interesting that no one agrees on the differences! Shows we all hear things differently

[@joeydego2]

@@Producelikeapro the difference is very subtle. Nothing standing in the way of a hit or anything like that.

[@adamphillips6747]

Me too. Everything they (Audio-Scape) make is worth the dough for sure

[@joeydego2]

@@adamphillips6747 I trust them. I have 5 pieces already. Will definitely fill more racks with their stuff.

[@officialdiomer]

did they say they're gonna make one!?@@joeydego2

[@stanc2288]

When the comp is on bypass, does the comp color (saturation) still affect the track?

[@Producelikeapro]

There should be no colouration, however I would just not put it in the chain if I don't want any compression at all!

[@stanc2288]

​@@Producelikeaprocool, thanks for the response. And being awesome!

[@SmashavelliTV]

Great Review 👏 singer reminds me of John Legend

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MegaJJ2013]

I will be getting a Heritage Audio HA73EQ Elite series in near future. Wondering if a tube opto compressor might not mesh with the HA73EQ as it imparts color of its own to the audio. I am doing voice over type work only, not full mixes ever. Thinking of a 1176 style compressor as an alternative as that may jive better with a Neve 1073 style mic - pre. Sure would appreciate some pearls of wisdom!