I say “around” when setting the CL 1B to a 3:1 ratio, because all settings on the CL 1B are a best guess/feel thing. This descriptive only applies when comparing these two opto compressor units side by side the CL 1B is not as hard-edged as a FET compressor, for instance.įor an additional comparison, again at a 3:1 setting, the CL 1B not too far off in sound and feel from the Vari-Mu (tube) compressor in the Manley VOXBOX (reviewed February 2017), meaning the CL 1B has a very hi-fi sheen. The CL 1B, meanwhile, is more ballistically hard-edged, for lack of a better descriptive. When the CL 1B is set to around a 3:1 compression ratio to compare to the LA-2A, with the attack and release matched ballistically on each unit’s meters, I would characterize the LA-2A as having a bit more of a dusty “tube” tone, while also being gently spongier in its ballistic feel. Even when pushed, it saturates much differently than an LA-2A. They can perform similarly depending on how they are set, but sonically the CL 1B is much more modern-especially in its sound, which is sharper and cleaner. While LA-2A inspired, the CL 1B is not an LA-2A clone and never was. Some specs: frequency response –3 dB: 5 Hz to 25 kHz, noise 60 dB 10 kHz, and input impedance: 600Ω After gain reduction is a tube-based push-pull amplifier followed by an output transformer. As mentioned, this is an all-tube design the only semiconductor op amps are found in the output bus section. The optical gain-reduction element of the CL 1B comes just after an input transformer. Note that each jack will require a TRS Y-cable for breakout/interconnect. The unit is a single channel mono device with balanced XLR I/O in the back as well as 1/ 4” TRS connections for the two sidechain bus options. There is also an on/off switch and a separate bypass control.
SOFTUBE CL1B AU XVX MANUAL
There are three large stepped switches for the selection of fixed or manual Attack and Release or a unique hybrid of both, selecting one of the two sidechain buses, and lastly a control for switching the large amber backlit VU meter between Input, Output, or Gain Reduction. The CL 1B is a 3-rackspace 19″ unit dressed in Tube-Tech blue with five large black variable knobs for Output Gain (Off to +30 dB), Ratio (continuously variable from 2:1 to 10:1), Threshold (Off to –40 dB), Attack (continuously variable from 0.5 to 300 milliseconds), and Release (continuously variable from 0.05 to 10 seconds). The CL 1B definitely nods toward the basic design and function of the LA-2A, but ads additional features like dual-bus sidechaining, attack, release and ratio controls.
As such, comparisons to the Teletronix LA-2A, which went back into production again at Universal Audio in 1999, are inevitable and justified. The CL 1B is an all-tube optical compressor. The Tube-Tech CL 1B: a big blue modern classic This gives us a great reason to put the new Mk II version of the CL 1B plug-in through its paces, and as a bonus, thanks to the US Tube-Tech distributor TransAudio Group, we also got our hands on a current production hardware CL 1B for direct comparisons. The new versions offer improved graphics and use the latest advances in analog circuit modeling. The three models were combined together into the Tube-Tech Classic Channel.įast forward to 2018, and Softube has just updated all three of the Tube-Tech models to Mk II status in the Tube-Tech Mk II Complete Collection.
SOFTUBE CL1B AU XVX SOFTWARE
Softube has also crafted software models of Tube-Tech’s PE 1C and ME 1B passive (Pultec-style) equalizers. A native standalone version followed, which we reviewed in March 2010.
SOFTUBE CL1B AU XVX PRO
In 2007, Softube modeled the CL 1B for the now-defunct TC Electronic PowerCore DSP engine system and for Pro Tools TDM hardware. The CL 1B is still in production today it’s gone on to become Tube-Tech’s best selling product, and is widely considered a modern classic in its own right, having been in steady production for 27 years. It was followed in 1991 by the CL 1B, which used circuit boards in place of the point-to-point hand wiring, but with zero compromise in quality.
The Tube-Tech CL 1A, a hand-wired all-tube optical compressor, was released in 1987. Classic hardware, compared to a wonderfully faithful software emulation
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