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

In this episode of Plugin vs Hardware, i’ll be comparing the new WA-1b by Warm Audio, to the original Tube-tech CL1b hardware unit and the plugin from Universal Audio.

Watch until the end to not miss the reveal of this blindtest!

WA-1b: [LINK]

Which one is your favourite?

Tracks used:

Hope and affection - Ella Alex

Coming and going - Dafne Adriana

Elle Hollis - Childs Play

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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:50 The package
01:15 Bass - Comparison
01:50 Unboxing
03:21 Comparing the units
04:50 Lead vocal - Comparison
06:17 What’s inside?
08:11 eGTR - Comparison
08:53 Rap vocals - Comparison
10:17 Price
11:14 Outro

[SweepsBeats]

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.

[WarmAudioOfficial]

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! 🙏

[LEXRAPS]

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

[dbzeroproduction]

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!

[asavagehandproductions]

This video deserves an Oscar great information bro thanks❤

[maciejmironowicz]

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.❤🙏🙏🙏🙏

[arthurallsopp]

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.

[hawkeshiphop]

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!

[simmermusic]

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

[Mixedby_Turk]

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

[hanlim]

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.

[paulmistygatz]

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.

[tioldjg]

A = Tube Tech
B = Plugin
C = Warm audio

That's What i thougt

[musiclover-rm]

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).

[ProducerStefanSchnabel]

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.

[HK-muck]

why he never reveals what's what?

[delmixedit]

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.

[AlexNiedt]

Liked the plug-in way more than the Warm 😆

[vontreherumaiBH]

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

[johnisrael]

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