I have the hardware distressor and it's the best compressor I have ever used for mixing. I would do this. Use the WA-1B for tracking vocals and the Distessor for mixing vocals.
On my 3rd Wa1b since December 2023 due to a bad batch of them malfunctioning . After around 50-100 hour of use the compressor stopped working, light for the meters stop working as well. I purchased both from 2 different vendors. Still under warranty though. It sounds awesome but not durable so far . They say the 3rd one is charm. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Damn I haven’t really pushed mine that heavy yet cuz I’m still writing and doing other stuff… did you send it back to warm or just got new ones out right?
Distressor may sound better on this vocal, but wow the WA1B/CL1B is incredible on female vocals (and still excellent on your vocal). WA1B gives you a lot of flexibility in the sense that it brightens/sweetens the sound, then you can hit it with an 1176 or distressor plugin and get some of that grungier mid. You can also slam the WA1B with fast-med attack and fast release and get a similar forward sound (just sweeter), then use a saturator afterwards to add some of that Distressor grit. My opinion is that the WA1B is ALMOST as versatile as the distressor, but it does something to the air of the vocal that the distressor cannot (and that no plugin seems to be able to emulate).
Excellent video.. of course we know it isn't a CL1B but it's close enough to serve its purpose I have learned to use it in conjunction with the EL8 Distressor. I think its a good buy but I have to back mines up a little for my taste. Its definitely more natural than the plugin versions.
well didn't get expect to get punched in the face but dope video lol I think the Warm is good but the distressor seems more versatile. I have the Heritage Audio Tubesessor and it's good but a little too saturated. I'm sending it back for the Warm or the Distressor
I’ll be getting the distressor, seems the most versatile and in a sense you can get very close to any compressor with it. The compressor is also reputable and people will take you more seriously rather than a wa-1b. I usually don’t care about those things but it is a fact unfortunately 🥲
If you want a single sound and you like the high end of the WA-1B then buy it. If you want flexibility in tone, harmonics, and compression then get the Distressor
I want something that is versatile and transparent that I can accidentally over compress and still get away with it. Something I would mainly use on vocals. Something that also sounds expensive
I copped out on the WA-1B and love it but I’m half way conflicted cuz the distressor is VERY versatile that can emulate multiple compressors from a 1176 and LA2A and as we seen a CL1B lol. idk but I may cop it just because but I’d highly recommend getting the WA-1B
@@SupremeSpeakingright on.. I think I’m grabbing the Wa1b. I have the Wa2a & 76 so I feel like I’ll have the bases covered. But that distressor looking real sexy too! Plus less rack space.
thanks for the video! little feeback: would have loved a bit better cut of the different version with a bit more loop time and less talking in between, so it would be even easier to compare. great video otherwise! cheers
The plugins sound much more closer to the original Cl 1B than the WA-1B which introduces some brightness which kinda beats the point, which is the warmness/softness people look for in the CL 1B. So I would go for the plugin or the original if the budget is there.
I agree. When it comes to crystallizing vocals. The WA-1B is definitely a shinier insert than most. I wish I could experiment with some different tunes to see what I could get.
Is it just me or do you also get confused when there is some talk between comparisons? It would make sense and it would help to notice the difference better if you didn't talk every time between the comparisons. Then you can listen to the direct comparison without being disturbed in between. Then you can say something about it at the end. Otherwise cool video. Thank you.
@@rtdrec that’s why the files are made available for you to listen on your own system, at at your own pace. Additionally, you can use the timestamps in the description below the video to click directly to the comparisons.
WA1b is still trash. Save your money. Every video these things bottom out on the low mids at about 5 DB of reduction. If this thing was $500 it would be worth it. For the money buy a used Distressor instead. Way more useable.
I have the hardware distressor and it's the best compressor I have ever used for mixing. I would do this. Use the WA-1B for tracking vocals and the Distessor for mixing vocals.
The empirical labs distressor hw is such a diverse compressor. Legendary.
Distressor is an amazing compressor have the hardware unit! want to try THe WA-1B this helped Thanks For posting
Great video production quality fam💯
On my 3rd Wa1b since December 2023 due to a bad batch of them malfunctioning . After around 50-100 hour of use the compressor stopped working, light for the meters stop working as well. I purchased both from 2 different vendors. Still under warranty though. It sounds awesome but not durable so far . They say the 3rd one is charm. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Yeah the Warm Audio stuff is trash. Save your money and just buy a Distressor. I went thru 2 of these piles of crap. Done with Warm Audio anyting
Damn I haven’t really pushed mine that heavy yet cuz I’m still writing and doing other stuff… did you send it back to warm or just got new ones out right?
@@SupremeSpeaking yes the units were still under warranty . The one I have now has been solid so far.🤞🏿
Great video man. So helpful!’
Dope! Can't wait on the Distressor video! If song is out let me know the link.
I need that distressor
Distressor may sound better on this vocal, but wow the WA1B/CL1B is incredible on female vocals (and still excellent on your vocal). WA1B gives you a lot of flexibility in the sense that it brightens/sweetens the sound, then you can hit it with an 1176 or distressor plugin and get some of that grungier mid. You can also slam the WA1B with fast-med attack and fast release and get a similar forward sound (just sweeter), then use a saturator afterwards to add some of that Distressor grit.
My opinion is that the WA1B is ALMOST as versatile as the distressor, but it does something to the air of the vocal that the distressor cannot (and that no plugin seems to be able to emulate).
Excellent video.. of course we know it isn't a CL1B but it's close enough to serve its purpose I have learned to use it in conjunction with the EL8 Distressor. I think its a good buy but I have to back mines up a little for my taste. Its definitely more natural than the plugin versions.
Yessir!!! Thanks for watching bro!!!
If you had to choose between the Distressor EL8 or Wa1b which one would you choose?
Empirical labs Distressor...no doubt. Love mine.
well didn't get expect to get punched in the face but dope video lol I think the Warm is good but the distressor seems more versatile. I have the Heritage Audio Tubesessor and it's good but a little too saturated. I'm sending it back for the Warm or the Distressor
which one did you pick in the end? i hesistate between the wa-1b and the distressor honestly...
@@sketchmesome I’m just using the Neve Newton Channel strip right now and loving it. I’ll try those two eventually though
I’ll be getting the distressor, seems the most versatile and in a sense you can get very close to any compressor with it. The compressor is also reputable and people will take you more seriously rather than a wa-1b. I usually don’t care about those things but it is a fact unfortunately 🥲
@@sketchmesome I agree. The Distressor has way more history and I’ve had some warm stuff go bad on me. I did like their WA2A a lot though.
@@jacksp8de Yeah I currently have the 2A with a good fast mode to it, but I am most likely going to sell it to just use the distressor exclusively
I can't choose between the distressor hardware or a WA-1B
If you want a single sound and you like the high end of the WA-1B then buy it. If you want flexibility in tone, harmonics, and compression then get the Distressor
I want something that is versatile and transparent that I can accidentally over compress and still get away with it. Something I would mainly use on vocals. Something that also sounds expensive
What yall chosen? Dope review 🔥🔥🔥🔥
She’s so pretty in blue!!! And with some tube swaps I think the cream can be achieved.
When u going to release video about distressor vs tube tech cl1b? Which HW to choose?
That’s the next video! Well part of it.
My vote is to get the distressor hw. That opto mode in vocals is incredible and it is a versatile compressor. 👌
do u recommend to track with it or use it after vocals recorded?@@astrangeandmysteriouspodca7168
Sounds like hard wear distressor gives more lows than cl1b, not sure if its good or bad...
It’s crazy how warm the Distressor can be.
@@producerbenford some engineers don't like it on vocals...
Damn, was headed out Thursday to grab the Wa1b, but now I’m thinking I might need to spend the extra 3 hundo. Yeah, that might be the move….
I copped out on the WA-1B and love it but I’m half way conflicted cuz the distressor is VERY versatile that can emulate multiple compressors from a 1176 and LA2A and as we seen a CL1B lol. idk but I may cop it just because but I’d highly recommend getting the WA-1B
@@SupremeSpeakingright on.. I think I’m grabbing the Wa1b. I have the Wa2a & 76 so I feel like I’ll have the bases covered. But that distressor looking real sexy too! Plus less rack space.
@@MKJ2DAY I’m with you bro lol that shit is kind of crazy 🤣
@@SupremeSpeaking I JUST GOT MY WA1B LAST WEEK I LOVE IT!!!!!
@@fantaztikbeatz woooooo mean family. Hope it does you extra right moving forward
Good test bro.. it sounds too close to spend the 4!!
I cant tell much difference between aany of them.
w1b , distressor is harsh on vox unless you doing metal ,
thanks for the video!
little feeback: would have loved a bit better cut of the different version with a bit more loop time and less talking in between, so it would be even easier to compare. great video otherwise! cheers
Noted! That’s why I provided the session.
The plugins sound much more closer to the original Cl 1B than the WA-1B which introduces some brightness which kinda beats the point, which is the warmness/softness people look for in the CL 1B. So I would go for the plugin or the original if the budget is there.
Wa1b does sound cleaner
I agree. When it comes to crystallizing vocals. The WA-1B is definitely a shinier insert than most. I wish I could experiment with some different tunes to see what I could get.
I might buy it now honestly. I like the vibe from the distressor but I I like cleaner compression
Tell me why I bought the distressor after all 😂
Is it just me or do you also get confused when there is some talk between comparisons? It would make sense and it would help to notice the difference better if you didn't talk every time between the comparisons. Then you can listen to the direct comparison without being disturbed in between. Then you can say something about it at the end. Otherwise cool video. Thank you.
@@rtdrec that’s why the files are made available for you to listen on your own system, at at your own pace. Additionally, you can use the timestamps in the description below the video to click directly to the comparisons.
@@producerbenford thank you!
Man....
WA1b is still trash. Save your money. Every video these things bottom out on the low mids at about 5 DB of reduction. If this thing was $500 it would be worth it. For the money buy a used Distressor instead. Way more useable.