WAVES CLA-2A Compressor Limiter Plungin User Guide
- June 7, 2024
- WAVES
Table of Contents
WAVES
CLA-2A
User
Guide
Chapter 1 – Introduction
1.1 Welcome
Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your new Waves
plugin, please take a moment to read this user guide.
To install software and manage your licenses, you need to have a free Waves
account. Sign up at www.waves.com. With a Waves
account, you can keep track of your products, renew your Waves Update Plan,
participate in bonus programs, and keep up to date with other important
information.
We suggest that you become familiar with the Waves Support pages:
www.waves.com/support. There are technical
articles about installation, troubleshooting, specifications, and more. Plus,
you’ll find company contact information and Waves Support news.
1.2 Product Overview
About the CLA-2A
The CLA-2A is modeled on a hand-wired, tube-based compressor originally
produced by Teletronix in the early 1960s. Initially intended for use in
broadcast, the original used an electro-luminescent optical attenuator called
“T4” for gain reduction. Unlike many other designs, electro-luminescent
circuitry doesn’t add distortion when it modulates the sound. (Tubes, however,
do, and we made sure to model that distortion.) Additionally, the inspiration
for the CLA-2A’s frequency-dependent attack and response speed made it an
instant favorite of audio engineers. However, many consider its most unique
feature to be its program-dependent, multi-stage release, which was achieved
using a 2-stage
photo-electric cell. With a Frequency Response of 30Hz to 15kHz (+/- 1dB) and
< 0.5% THD, the original provided up to 40dB of gain limiting.
About Chris Lord-Alge
Grammy®-winner Chris Lord-Alge is the mixing engineer of choice for pop and
rock royalty.
Green Day | U2 | Dave Matthews Band | Daughtry | Pink | Leona Lewis | Avril
Lavigne | My Chemical Romance | All American Rejects | Nickelback | Rob Thomas
| now Patrol | Ray LaMontagne | Miley Cyrus | Jonas Bros. | Tim McGraw |
Faith Hill | Tina Turner | Rod Stewart | Celine Dion | Santana | Steve Winwood
| James Brown
For almost thirty years, Chris has energized the sound of popular music. His
hard-hitting mixes have transformed the radio soundscape and introduced a new
sonic vocabulary along the way. CLA’s massive hardware arsenal includes racks
and racks of the most coveted compression units in music history.
Widely known among audio pros and listeners alike for his punchy sound and
extreme compression techniques, Chris gave us exclusive access to model his
most prized processors and worked closely with Waves through every phase of
development. Together with many of his personal presets, these precision
models deliver the distinctive sound of CLA’s favorite classic compressors.
1.3 About the Modeling
Many different elements contribute to the unique sonic behavior of analog
gear. Waves painstakingly modeled and incorporated the characteristics of the
hardware into the CLA-2A, in order to fully capture and replicate the sound
and performance of the original equipment. The hardware was modeled at
reference levels of -18 dBFS = +4 dBu, meaning that a signal of -18 dBFS from
the DAW to the hardware unit will display a meter reading of 0 VU (+4 dBu).
These are some of the most important elements of analog behavior:
-
Total Harmonic Distortion
Perhaps the most important analog behavior is Total Harmonic Distortion or THD, which is defined as the ratio of the sum of the powers of all harmonic components to the power of the fundamental frequency. THD is usually caused by amplification and changes in signal shape and content by adding odd and even harmonics of the fundamental frequencies, which can change the overall tonal balance. THD can also change peak output gain, usually by no more than +/- 0.2-0.3 dB. -
Variable Release Times
In the original modeled hardware, a T4 optical device determines compression behavior. When strong signals are introduced to the compressor input, release time constants lasting several seconds may result. In certain cases, this may cause the same passage to sound different during successive playbacks, as the Release does not return to the unity position. This behavior is identical to that of the original hardware, and should not be a cause for concern. -
Hum
Waves modeled both 50Hz power current and 60Hz power current. If you listen closely, you will hear that there is a difference in hum level between 50Hz and 60Hz. Since hum is unique to each region and dependent upon local electrical conditions, you may find that the modeled hum is different than the hum already present in your studio, and may not be suitable for your particular use. -
T4
In the original hardware units, the T4 optical device is responsible for the amount of overall compression and compression characteristics. These components are quite vulnerable to wear and tear and need to be replaced, ideally, every 2 to 3 years. Depleted T4 devices result in up to 80% less compression as compared to newer components. In the course of our research, we discovered that up to 90% of T4 components in use today have never been replaced. This means that the majority of users are working with devices that compress far below the original manufacturer’s specifications.
If you are used to the performance and behavior of an original unit and find that the modeled plug-in provides more aggressive compression than you are used to, it may be that you have grown accustomed to a worn-out T4 component.
1.4 Components
WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug-
ins, which we call components. Having a choice of components for a particular
processor gives you the flexibility to choose the configuration best suited to
your material.
The CLA-2A has two component processors:
CLA-2A Stereo — Two-channel compressor, with one detector for both
channel paths
CLA-2A Mono — One-channel compressor
Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide
The CLA-2A offers 2 main controls for compression, as well as additional
controls for fine-tuning.
- Using the Compress/Limiter toggle, select Compressor (approximately 3:1 ratio) or Limiter (approximately 100:1 ratio).
- Use the Peak Reduction control to set the amount of compression desired.
- Use the Gain control to adjust the makeup level after the compression.
- Use the VU Meter to monitor Input, Output, and Gain Reduction levels.
Chapter 3 – Interface and Controls
3.1 CLA-2A Interface
3.2 CLA-2A Controls
Gain controls the output level of the audio path.
Range: 0 to 100 (in 0.01 steps)
Initial Value: 40.00
Reset Value: 32.28 (unity gain)
Peak Reduction controls the amount of signal compression.
Range: 0 to100 (in 0.01 steps)
Initial Value: 46.00
Reset Value: 0
Please note: The scale is not linear and has been adjusted to conform to
the exact scaling of the modeled unit. Thus, there may be more compression
than expected at certain steps, as with analog gear (the most common Peak
Reduction range of the LA-2A is between 30 to 50).
Compressor Mode selects compression or limiting.
Range: Comp, Limiter
Default: Comp
HiFreq increases voltage amplifier gain in the peak reduction circuit, for frequencies above 1 kHz, leaving lower frequencies unaffected. When set to Flat, the CLA-2A will provide equal reduction to all frequencies. The more you move away from the Flat position, the less sensitive the compressor is to lower frequencies, resulting in less compression. This control may also be used as sort of a de-esser.
Range : 0 to 100 (in 0.1 steps)
Initial Value: 50.00
Reset Value: 100 (flat)
Analog controls analog characteristics caused by noise floor and hum, based on the power supplies of the original units.
Range
Off, 50Hz, 60Hz
Initial Value : 60Hz
Reset Value : Off
VU Display toggles between Input, Gain Reduction, and Output
metering.
Range
In, GR, Out
Default
GR
3.3 The WaveSystem Toolbar
Use the bar at the top of the plugin to save and load presets, compare
settings, undo and redo steps, and resize the plugin. To learn more, click the
icon at the upper-right corner of the window and open the WaveSystem Guide.
Appendix: CLA-2A Controls
Control
|
Range
|
Default
---|---|---
Gain| 0-100 (0.01 steps)| Initial Value: 40.00
Reset Value: 32.28 (unity gain)
Peak Reduction| 0 to 100 (0.01 steps)| I nitial Value: 46
Reset Value: 0
HiFreq| 0-100 (0.1 steps)| Initial Value: 50
Reset Value: 100
Compressor Model| Comp, Limiter| Comp
Analog| Off, 50Hz, 60Hz| Initial Value: 60Hz
Reset Value : Off
VU Display| In, GR, Out| GR
Waves CLA-2A User Guide
Documents / Resources
|
WAVES CLA-2A Compressor Limiter
Plungin
[pdf] User Guide
CLA-2A, Compressor Limiter Plungin
---|---
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>