Warm Audio WA-1B Demo & Review

[@LBJedi]

This was SO HELPFUL! I’ve been wanting to get my first piece of hardware gear to pair with the preamps in my Neve 88M. I’m mostly a vocalist, and my wife does VO/audiobook narration. I figured a compressor would be the best for those applications, and I think this one might be it! Thanks Alec😊

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much! :) that sounds like a great pairing to me. I hope you enjoy the unit.

[@SimonChampagne]

Excellent review as usual Alec! Lovely piece of gear.

[@alecbrits]

Thanks Simon! :)

[@km3musiclab]

Alec I love your videos, always very thorough and entertaining. I think your singing is great and productions are spot on. I trust that you like this version of a very 'High End' compressor. I have been using the UAD Plug-In for a few years now and can't wait to get my hands on this unit.

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much! :) let me know if you end up getting one in the future.

[@briceperusse8310]

As always seeing a new video from you makes my day! I was just thinking, quite literally yesterday, how great it'd be if Alec Brits did a review of this compressor. I see the DIYRE Colour below, is this a hint of a future review? Please say yes!

[@alecbrits]

Thanks so much! :) indeed, they are next in line.

[@nkozi]

That sounds way, way better than I expected.

[@alecbrits]

I know right?! :) super solid.

[@tonischjelderup8708]

I bought this beast after watching this fantastic review. I feel like I finally have the perfect vocal chain with my microphone Neumann U87AI (Which I have saved for years to afford), the compressor Warm Audio WA-1B and the dual Preamp Warm Audio WA-273 EQ! Toegether with my ID44 and monitors from Adam Audio I got a really nice setup! I came a far way from starting with Rode K2 microphone and a much more afforrdable preamp Focusrite Isa One. Nothing wrong with that but if you want the best possible sound and something special, then the setup mentioned above it's just another world. Great review!

[@BritoWorx]

You deserve far more subscribers. Contents always A1

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much! :)

[@Funkybassuk]

It will happen

[@benjicrane]

Killer content dawg. Im looking to dip my toes into analog gear and your videos have been a great addition to my window shopping youtube addiction 😂

[@alecbrits]

Thank you so much! :)

[@timball8429]

Nice review, Alec. The hardware sounds great!

[@alecbrits]

Thanks so much Tim! :)

[@bramrutten7957]

Thank Alec! Did u see the new SSL Pure Drive Octo and Quad? Will u be doing a review of those?

[@alecbrits]

I’ve just seen that! :) hopefully in the future I will.

[@Russplight]

Warm Audio just sold another WA1B based of your facial expressions! Thanks for the review.

[@alecbrits]

Thank you! :)

[@harpoleon6806]

U lost money based off hype 😂😂😂😂

[@ikigai47]

Thanks for the review. Is this your favorite of all the WA compressors? If you could only choose one from them as a "do it all", which would it be?

[@alecbrits]

I would say so. :) it feels the most solid and flexible.

[@ikigai47]

@@alecbrits Damn. Thanks, can't wait to get my hands on it

[@sdsddai]

I was half in doubt but finally bought wa1b today and was blown away. It sounds soooo much smoother than I expected (and most people　may did) . I totally love it. After adjusting the sound with EQ a bit, I'm 100% sure that nobody can distinguish between cl1b and wa1b. This is the best affordable compresser for me.

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for the input! :)

[@matthewblake2258]

Hi Alec, would like to hear the full mix of this song with the WA1B, best regards

[@alecbrits]

Hey Matthew! This will be available when my Patreon goes live, along with the stems for people to play with etc.

[@pedroboschibrasil]

I tried this at namm it does sound good, I can’t say how close it is to the original, but for the price it is a great deal

[@alecbrits]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@CHARHHAUDIO]

The best demo I've seen..its. silly to compare its best to demo what the unit can do...

[@alecbrits]

Thanks so much! :)

[@amay.writes]

Thankyou for the review. I was planning of buying the warm audio wa-1b with Austrian audio 0c818. Do you think i should consider that or should i go for a tube microphone to pair with the warm audio as i have noticed most of the vocals chains with the tube tech compressor use tube microphone init?

[@alecbrits]

Think it depends on the voice more than anything. :) I use both solid state and tube microphones with it all the time.

[@bobdhoffnar]

Great review ! It’s the first one I’ve checked out that doesn’t do a direct comparison to the original which is kinda nice. I’m hoping that the warm unit will help people currently living in a box to hear and understand the euphonic qualities of hardware. On a side note: Are you familiar with D.A.V. Audio gear ? Very affordable and absolutely stellar quality. They are a secret weapon used by Classical music recorders at every level.

[@alecbrits]

Thanks so much. :) totally agree. Yeah! The DAV stuff looks ace, been eyeing it for years, but never really had the chance to try any of it.

[@jackbaker896]

Would you use this when tracking drums? Or just for "re-amping"? I need a good compressor for a kick or snare to go through when I'm recording, and vocals. I'd need a few so the cheaper price is appealing. Thanks.

[@revevague6256]

Fantastic!

[@alecbrits]

🚀🚀🚀

[@LondonSteveLee]

If you like an optical compressor you should try the new Alice 538R - absolutely oozes character - and good value too - hand made in the UK.

[@alecbrits]

Whoah, just had a look at the Alice, that looks ace! :)

[@LondonSteveLee]

@@alecbrits It's the fat round colour and superb width control that grabs me. It sounds like the 70s!

[@dronbana]

Sony colours i can never get used to, but the content 🙏🏻

[@alecbrits]

Not sure what you mean by Sony Colours. :) thank you!

[@sheepmatt1812]

Heard a lot of people don’t really like it compared to the real thing. These companies should just do their own designs.

[@alecbrits]

I’ve not had the chance to try a CL1B. :) have you compared them yet?

[@nicefish10]

Anyone who’s ever used or owned the real thing will hate it and hate that it is marketed as a cheap CL1b. This is probably the worst piece that warm audio makes next to their 1176. But if you’re 14 years old and you’re trying to become a rap producer, it might be fine. It is to be priced about $500 to even have the price point value be anywhere in the ballpark. There’s so many other devices out there that smoke this thing. The bottom end, and the low mids fall apart when you could press more than 5db.

[@djmode4327]

@@nicefish10 can u give some other options please ?

[@tommymartinhole]

@@alecbrits you’ve literally just lost then

[@alecbrits]

@@tommymartinhole not too sure what you mean mate. :)

[@andrewforbes5923]

You speak very highly of it in the review but my question is are you actually going to keep it or buy one? Do you like it that much?

[@alecbrits]

I will be using it in the future for sure. :) it’s already made it’s way onto several mixes in the last two weeks.

[@andrewg5639]

you've borderline made me buy one. I was going to get the WA76 into a WA2a, but now i'm reconsidering just getting this instead. What's everyones thoughts? Context - I'm using it exclusively for tracking Guitar, Bass, Vocals & synths.

[@andrewg5639]

btw alec, I'm new to your channel. Came for the gear run downs & stayed for the music, I really appreciate all the effort & time you sink into these videos to get the quality all demo videos should have :)

[@alecbrits]

Thank so much! :) I would say this compressor really allows the best of both worlds. For me personally, I’d buy this one instead of the other two.

[@andrewg5639]

Awesome thanks for the response Alec... I'll probably be buying one later this week :) @@alecbrits

[@Sagerydian]

Warm Audio always manages to get the looks of the original device right, the knobs, the colors, the metres, the fonts used. Only thing is, that the sound is completely different. From pedals, to preamps to compressors - they never get it right. I am really close to saying that this company is harmful to people who are new to recording and mixing, as they might believe, they buy a clone of the original, while they buy a completely different thing, that sounds completely differently. Can still sound good though, no doubt about it.

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for your insight. :)

[@harpoleon6806]

Agreed

[@kokorhythmz]

You sound like a hater. Who gives a crap if warm audio units don’t sound the same as originals. Even originals don’t sound alike. Warm products are excellent sounding with high quality lines amps and Transformers. I own state of art vintage gear from Api 325 pres, Ampex 351, Motown eqs and 1176. I certify that warm audio 1176, tonebeast, neve clones and the new tube 1B comp sounds world class. It’s like comparing apples to oranges. Enough of this hater feedback. When warm audio didn’t exist you all bitched about not being able to afford these pieces. Now they are available and you wine and moan. You sound like you have no life.

[@maxatorium]

Agreed. Not a clone, but a counterfeit.

[@damdremusic]

still sounds like a great kit, but like you said, perhaps not as good as the real thing. But definitely better than most VST compressors...

[@evsp8048]

Do you have any plans to review the Maag preq2? 🥰

[@alecbrits]

I have not have them in mind to review, but I’d love to try them out. :)

[@richardpenrose1968]

What would you recommend for lead vocals, bass and guitars between the WA-1b and the WA-2a?

[@alecbrits]

I would take the WA-1B for the added flexibility. :)

[@richardpenrose1968]

@@alecbrits Thanks Alex. One of the things I like about the WA-2a is the way it subtly rounds off the highs whilst adding an nice thickness to the sound. How does the WA-1b compare in this respect?

[@alecbrits]

@@richardpenrose1968 I think the demonstration clips do a pretty good job of showing the effects of the WA-1B. :)

[@harpoleon6806]

Anything not warm

[@pb25193]

Bro please also do the gap2a

[@alecbrits]

Sure thing. :)

[@AnwaarAliOfficial]

What mic and preamp is used to record the vocals? Most of the tonality of vocal sound comes from the mic and preamp.

[@alecbrits]

It’s the Warm Audio Wa-MPX and a Neumann U67. :)

[@drillgirl718]

@@alecbritsthis is definitely important so its running through more tubes

[@TzoHill]

This or the Distressor for vocals ? hmm watcha think 🤔

[@FrancisJoa]

Distressor if you want an agressive vocal sound (I would use therefore a 1176) and the warm if you want to get a smooth, well balanced and soft sounding vocal.

[@lipk8494]

1176 or la2a. Or get a real tube tech.

[@alecbrits]

Think it comes down to what you are looking to hear. Most people have their own tastes when it comes to vocal compression. Personally, I like the combination of an 1176 and a slower tube type compressor on a vocal. :) best to experiment with plug-in combinations first, and then make an informed decision from there.

[@TzoHill]

@@lipk8494 ah I wish. currently using a GAPComp3a but it's abit too smooth and slow of an attack for the rap vocals I do . Distressor it is thanks!

[@TzoHill]

@@alecbrits appreciate the wise info man, will take on board 😎

[@reallyoldcob]

what are you using as overhead mics? sounds fantastic : ]

[@reallyoldcob]

would love a whole video tweaking attack/release/ratio on different vocals...

[@alecbrits]

AEA R88. :) the full song is on the Warm WA-MPX video.

[@BrianSladek]

I agree a blend control would be nice. I find I most enjoy the compressor to add that beautiful tube color and 2-3db max gain reduction. Vocals and Bass are the best applications I like

[@alecbrits]

Agreed! :)

[@deandresmith5761]

Its not a clone but their take on it.. It uses a different transformer so yeah you can expect a different sound. But yeah I'm getting one to use and to have in the rack for that gorgeous piece of gear

[@alecbrits]

Enjoy it. :)

[@frankweber356]

No music to listen to ? This was the most interesting part uptil now.....maybe next time.

[@alecbrits]

This song was on the WA-MPX video. :) feel free to watch that and enjoy the tune.

[@NoConcentrationTV]

How do you wire it up to use it like this?

[@alecbrits]

I use the I/O plugin in logic. :)

[@jamescassidy4045]

That Bass Face tho!

[@alecbrits]

Inescapable! :D

[@NoConcentrationTV]

No one has a video on how to run this signal flow so you can use it in logic.

[@alecbrits]

Perhaps try searching ‘analog inserts’ in logic.

[@ToddBradt-w3z]

Nice review. It was very distracting to have the editing keep cutting back to you talking while initially showing the controls. It would be better to just keep the camera on the compressor the whole time and just hear your voice describing the features. FWIW.

[@jossuecastaneda8135]

There’s a certain grabbiness with the original unit, Warm didn’t quite achieve that with their unit but it still imparts warmth and definition. This one is a pass for me

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for your input! :)

[@amalgami]

your videos are like analog gear, more warmer, more richer and more deeper.. I am totally ITB btw.. :(

[@alecbrits]

Ahh thank you for the compliment. :) nothing wrong with ITB. I went in the box for a year until a couple months ago, mixes still sounded solid!

[@flores-Taylor]

The problem isn’t the quality ,the sound. The price ratio for what you get. It’s the marketing. The expectation. I bet if the unit it’s called something else. Nobody will critique

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for your input. :)

[@nicefish10]

On every single demo video of this piece of gear, the low builds fall apart when you start compressing more than five db. The same thing holds true with their 1176. There are about a dozen other videos out there about this device and they all have the same problem. I understand that people get excited when there’s a new cheap piece of gear out there that because the flavor of the week but stating that this thing is awesome it’s really misleading. I think it’s awesome if it was priced at $500. The price point and it’s at you’re better off to save a few more dollars and get the Heritage Audio Tubsessor. Everybody that’s been raving about this box has lost my respect

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for your input. :)

[@RRMUZIKINC]

Disturbing…tools for suckas…good video brotha!

[@alecbrits]

Thanks. :)

[@SallyT.]

Well, we've had enough from these stupid clones.

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for your input! :)

[@christophersanchez8585]

I have very bad experience with the sound of this company.i dont recommended, go with audioscape or stam audio and you goinf to feel the magic.

[@alecbrits]

Thanks for the input. :)

[@caspermaster-com]

Damn. I don't use any analog HW but at this price point and the tones makes me consider buying 2.

[@alecbrits]

It’s a really solid sounding unit! :)

[@harpoleon6806]

Don't buy warm 😅😅😅😂😂 it will have u in a rabbit hole trying to sound better 😅😅😅😅 ask any real non broke engineers 😉