Classic Tube Warmth for Today’s Studios
Bring legendary, smooth leveling to your tracks with the Warm Audio WA-2A Optical Compressor. Faithfully inspired by the iconic LA-2A, this hand-wired, all-tube unit dishes out that coveted buttery compression that vocalists, bassists, and mix engineers have leaned on for decades. Warm Audio keeps the soul of the original intact—complete with custom-spec Cinemag transformers and a hand-selected T4B opto-cell—while delivering modern reliability at a wallet-friendly price.
Key Features
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Authentic T4B Opto-Cell – Achieves the unmistakable slow-attack, gentle-release curves that glue tracks together naturally.
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All-Tube Signal Path – Premium 12AX7, 12BH7, and 6P1 tubes create rich harmonics and silky top-end you’ll notice instantly.
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Cinemag USA Transformers – High-headroom input and output transformers add weight and depth without muddying the mix.
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Hand-Wired Construction – Point-to-point wiring preserves sonic integrity while ensuring long-term serviceability.
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Peak-Reduction & Gain Controls – Dial in transparent leveling or vintage-style pumping with just two intuitive knobs.
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Rear-Panel Meter Adjust & Side-Chain Insert – Fine-tune metering accuracy or patch in EQs for frequency-dependent compression tricks.
Detailed Specs
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Compression Ratio: Program-dependent (up to ~10:1)
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Attack Time: ~10 ms
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Release Time: 50 ms–5 s (program-dependent)
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Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz (±1 dB)
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Max Gain: 40 dB
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Input/Output: XLR & TRS balanced
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Dimensions: 19″ W × 3.5″ H (2U) × 7.5″ D
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Weight: 11 lbs (4.99 kg)
Why We Love It at BuyOrBorrow Music
Nothing flatters a vocal like a great opto, and the WA-2A nails the vibe without requiring a vintage-gear budget. The smooth tube saturation adds dimension, while the simple control scheme keeps creativity flowing. Whether you’re tracking silky R&B leads, taming bass peaks, or gluing a drum bus, the WA-2A’s musical response makes it hard to do anything but sound good.
Ideal Applications
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Vocals: Sit any singer perfectly in the mix with zero harshness.
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Bass & Guitar: Even out dynamics while retaining low-end punch.
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Drums & Percussion: Smooth overheads, room mics, or entire kits for cohesive energy.
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Mix-Bus Glue: Add analog polish during final mixdown or mastering.
Ready to give your productions that timeless, record-ready polish? Add the Warm Audio WA-2A Optical Compressor to your rack today and feel the difference on the very first pass.
BOOM!
