A CL1B for 1/3rd of the PRICE?!?! | Warm Audio WA1b vs Tubetech CL1b 

The power supply in the Warm Audio unit creates a humming feedback you can hear in other equipment when you place the WA-1B near them. Best to keep the WA-1B at a distance from the pre you’re using

Apprec the video! Somehow I liked how the rap vocal sounded the best on (C) the UAD Mkii. I think I can see the settings but was super curious what the Atk / Release / Ratio settings were that you used if you were comfortable sharing possibly🙏🏼 Thanks again!

To who’s wondering: yes tubetech also uses lundahl transformers and the inputs on the back support ts and trs. Another small note is that i noticed the attack of the warm audio is al little faster using the same settings as the tube tech. Overal they sound really good!

I had B, C, and A. Maybe it was the release time on A held on a little too long.

In the comments you can see well. None can really say what it is all in all the original device. Thus, the question of what is better done with it. All of them work. Depending on the song and performance is so or so then still fine-tuned with the EQ and other tools.

It’s hard to tell without context. You should Provide a pre mixed instrumental with the analog chain from the vocals. Without context it’s hard to tell how the sound blends and sits with the beat.

Wow interesting! You put this together in the best way of all of the channels I watched - blind test really helped a lot! I watched this under the belief that you may have randomized the ABC order of each test and wrote down the following (giving each section 2 passes): ABC BAC BCA BCA I noted that A & C were somewhat interchangeable on a couple of those and I just had to make a decision... The truth is that the test was very difficult - I had to listen super critically to even make a judgment in some cases. I am shocked that I preferred the Warm over the TT in almost every instance, but also surprised that I didn't prefer the plugin in any of them, seeing as I've used it across many mixes. Keep in mind that my studio monitors (which are using sonarworks room correction) may be a bit bright, therefore the TT may have felt a little harsh/sibilant at times. All of this said, the differences were so minute to me that I am okay with any of them. I think if you were to drop these into a mix for a final blind test, I would have a very difficult time picking out which is which. Final note that it is clear that ears are very subjective - anyone reading this may have heard things completely differently than me, and that makes sense. There are so many variables just to listening including the room we are in, treatment, reflections, phasing, ,monitors, etc etc. Which leads me back to my conclusion that your average listener is going to love any one of these that you choose (but there is something a little more fun about using hardware).

I started watching the video by comparing the vocals and I thought that the order was the same as in the video: a - plugin, b - tube-tech, c - warm and I thought WOW - the plugin is the best, warm is great and tube-tech is weak and bland. And then I saw the results at the end of the video and realized that my ears hadn't deceived me. I was deceived by my haste and my eyesight. The original tube-tech is divine, the plugin is 70% like the original, and warm is a joke. Great comparison, great channel! Regards and thank you, I almost bought Warm! I stay with plugin.❤🙏🙏🙏🙏

I mean A sounded the best.... damn it. I felt A compress lowend so naturally and doesn't add any unnecessary high frequency, so smooth.

Sorry about the power cable! 😅 The input/outputs on the back are TRS. Also have the XLR options. Thank you for checking out the unit! Hope you enjoyed it! 🙏

thats awesome!

Great review, I can't wait for Warm Audio to release this unit! Listening to the blind test I would say that: A = Tube-Tech B = Warm Audio C = UAD plugin

Out of curiosity what tubes are in the CL1B? The Heritage Audio tubesessor has vintage NOS Raytheon Tubes in them, The Warm Audio WA1B has the JJ and Tungsol tubes in them, revive Audio do a MOD upgrade of the Warm Audio and they Add the Genalex Gold lion tubes in them, I’ve just ordered some Gold lion tubes myself to try out. But I’m curious to know what tubes was in the CL1B, Thanks 🙏🏻

Creators that do comparisons like this are not helpful when they do not offer their professional opinions of the sonic differences. After the compression and downsampling that youtube provides, it is too difficult for the viewer to hear a true comparison, no matter their setup. Advice for creators who are comparing products in the future -- Please offer your opinion. That's why we are watching. If you do not feel confident enough to offer your own opinion, please state that.

Just got mine and I think it’s not harsh

I'm running a Neve 1073 into a Warm cl1b. (I know you use the real deal Cl1b) but the input and the output are both "pegging" while recording vocals. The compression is good and sounds nice, but how do I stop the I/O from pegging?? Or should I not even worry about it?. Thanks!

I have been using the UAD 2 plugin for 3 years, Flawless. No offense but you can use multiple instances of UAD Plugin. You only get 1 unit when you buy hardware.

C sounded good but it might be interesting to hear all that in the context of a mix 😇

A = Tube Tech B = Plugin C = Warm audio That's What i thougt

Blindly guessed that A is real deal. But was thinking that B is a plugin, while C is warm audio

C is the plugin, A is Tubetech and B Warm audio

Shocked. I thought the Warm was A because of the upper mid bump that their gear tends to have. Now knowing the answer, Warm sounds closer to the plugin.

I had heard some good things about the WA1B as well as some critical things. So while listening I thought, as long as the Warm Audio is either A or B that is great. C sounded a bit thin. I liked both A and B. It really sounded like that added something which C was lacking. Perhaps A was a bit more tasteful but the difference with B was so small that I cannot justify saving for a real Tubetech. I'm getting the WA1B.

Was expecting B to be the Plug In due to the micro loss of Transients . But totally surprised with the UAD Plug In ... Love these blind tests 🙂 Great work Thomas !!!

my guess B is the warm, has less top end due to the 3db cut at 5k, A the cl1b c the uad, uad has less low end, less transient response, flatter sounding, transient wise on top, thinner, less space in the sound field

The original still wins to me but the WA comes close. The Tube-Tech has slightly more punch and best control of dynamics. The plug-in has tonal distortion in the higher frequencies and sounds flat.

damn i hoped A was WA-1b 😭

You can tell which one is the Warm Audio...but it sounds really close to the 4000 Unit....so close its worth the Savings

Liked the plug-in way more than the Warm 😆

I always thought since the beginning that B was the Warm Audio machine. For me it has some substantial difference from the real deal, since there is a kind of mid saturation emphasis that is always there. Some might like it. Not me. I do prefer a cleaner sound and after seeing this and other videos with this comparison I prefer to opt for a Distressor, if I will need to get some hardware compressors to complete my home studio and do not want to pay or wait for a CL1B. All in all, these videos are great for people to be better informed for their own choices.

If warm audio changes their tubes in this comp , it’ll sound even more open !

Looks like warm senr all his soldiers at the same time

My honest opinion. On the vocals, the WA-1B sounded like it had a blanket over it. The tube tech sounded more fuller, rounder, smoother, and open. I was considering getting the WA-1B until I watched this video and really listened. My Lindell 1176 sounds better than the WA-1B and it's only $400 brand new.

Unfortunately none of them came close... Missing that low end! Hardware Tube Tech CL1B is the clear winner here!

Bluey + warm 1b= nice sound

Version C definitely doesnt have the low end presence of A and B. A has a richer bottom end. No surprise C was the UAD plugin, A and B could swing either way, just a matter of taste or source material

why he never reveals what's what?

If you pick up the manual you just threw on the floor, then you will know about those 1/4 inch in and outs .....just saying. Great video anyways !

My Chois was A-C-B... so to my ears is better to use than the plug in than the cheap hardware version 🙂

please what's the answer? A = the real one, B = warm audio. I need the confirmation.

Where is the reveal ?? Did I miss it ? My guess is - A - warm B - TT C - plug-in.

I've heard another comparaison and the Warm sounds like it's missing the last octave in the lows. It surely will look cool in some bedroom amateur studios. Kids will tell their friends they own a Tubetech...

The Warm Sounds Good...I just dont see the Point in using it over "Blu MU" why would I give a live sampled plugin...from the Actual Unit....to use a Cloan....? the Cloan is only vital on Mix and Masterbuses........

A CL1b B UAD C WA

I love that there are so many engineers who can "hear" the difference in the units. Funny nobody agrees in any comment section YT

I think B is the plugin

Odd🤔 1:31 - TT Hardware 1:44 - UAD Software 1:37 - WA Hardware The plugin sounds more accurate to the OG regarding frequency perception. However, it seems to still suffer from digital narrowness and lack of analog body. The warm audio compression sounds fairly identical but there is a loss in HiFi clarity/detail but perceived low end loudness or emphasis; probably due to harmonic structure being different compared to the original and plugin. I see relevance for having both versions of the hardware. I would use the WA 1B specifically for bass or low-end element and any sound source that's super on highs and you want to add a little contrast to it for perception balancing without using EQ.

WA have just a little more highs, the CL1B is a little more gluey...but they are pretty close...I would buy the WA1B

A is brightest and freshest, B is the darker and the least exiting and C in middle...

A = Wa1b B = Tube Tech C1b C = UAD plugin

The warm audio will never sound like the tube tech. It’s 1/3 of the price so in reality how much money do yo think they actually needed to build it? A lot less. So what can you expect in the sound quality? It’s like this audio interface Apogee Symphony has a cheaper version called Desktop. Apogee says it has the same converters and it’s ok it may have the same ones but I bet they don’t sound the same huh because the all around circuitry matters too. In this video, Tube tech and Warm audio each one compresses audio in a different way (even thought they trying to emulate the optical compression of the tube tech) and that’s where each compressor gets its own sound. I’m tired of all this brands trying to sell mic clones, plug-in emulations, ai stuff, etc that are just trying to take peoples money.

A = UAD plugin B = Warm Audio C = Tube Tech

Wonder how much warm paid him ? 🤔

C is lacking something in comparison to the others ^^

A - Warm B - CL1B C - Plugin

Lydkraft is not a place, it's the original name of the company.

Great!! Now I have to buy a Tubetech CL1B 🤬 😂

Don’t buy the Warm…. Save up your Pennie’s and buy the Heritage Tubessor. It is five times cooler than the warm audio not nearly as expensive as the Tube Tech, but the saturation control is super cool and ads flexibility that the Warm, and the lug in don’t have.

Try the Acustica Audio Titanium if you want that TubeTec sound……you’re welcome…….

Warm audio is more transparent than CL1B in a good way. Depending on the personal preference and bank account though, warm audio' price setting is crazy with this quality.

This comes down to price and bragging rights; ask yourself in Clint Eastwood's voice (Do You Feel Lucky?) Well, Do You? (Save some money and make my day.) Meanwhile, folks with the famous TUBE TECH will probably look down at you when you decide to show off your studio later (During Show & Tell) with an Awesome Emulation of a $3600 piece of the best Holy Grail of optos!

The big difference I heard is the Warm sounded more clear on the Rap Vocals

a sound the best , then C then B, listen from laptop , a was hardware I figure and c was uad, so I saved money cause I wanted to buy the warm

B

Wow the UA Plugin is so close! WA doesn't have the vibe. So I'll save money for the real deal. Thanks for the video!

Save your money for the real thing use a plug in like the Apollo. Anyone who has ever used a real Tubetech CL1B can immediately tell the difference in an appropriately constructed and treated room…… having listened to a comparison in a professional studio I was highly disappointed…..the Warm audio just doesn’t handle the mid range like the CL1B…. Again save your money because it’s comparable to the plugin.

Barely any difference.