Waves has announced the release of CLA Classic Compressors, a collaboration between Waves and Chris Lord-Alge that brings you models of four compressors considered true classics by audio engineers the world over: CLA-2A, CLA-3A, CLA-76 Blacky and CLA-76 Bluey.

Over the course of a career spanning almost three decades, Chris Lord-Alge has worked alongside artists including Green Day, U2, Dave Matthews Band, Tim McGraw, Brian Setzer, Peter Frampton, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Steve Winwood, James Brown, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five and many others.

CLA-2A - Compressor / Limiter
Modeled on the legendary electro-optical tube compressor, the CLA-2A emulates the original's smooth, frequency-dependent behaviors that have made it a favorite of engineers everywhere. Like the mid-'60s classic, the CLA-2A sounds great on guitars and bass, and really shines on vocals, according to Waves. It's topped off with Chris Lord-Alge's personal presets.

Features:

• Compressor and Limiter modes.
• Zero latency.
• Sidechain frequency filter.
• Up to 24bit 192kHz resolution.
• Mono and Stereo components.

Controls:

• Gain 0 to 100.
• Peak Reduction 0 to 100.
• Compressor Mode Comp, Limiter.
• HF Freq 0 to 100.
• Analog Off, 50Hz, 60Hz.
• VU Display Input, Gain Reduction, Output.

CLA-3A - Compressor / Limiter
Based on the early '70s solid-state unit known for its unique and highly transparent compression curve, the CLA-3A delivers the quick response and the subtle harmonic distortion for which the original is world-renowned. And just like the original, the CLA-3A is the bomb on bass, as well as on guitars and vocals, according to Waves.

Features:

• Compressor and Limiter modes.
• Zero latency.
• Sidechain frequency filter.
• Up to 24bit 192kHz resolution.
• Mono and Stereo components.

Controls:

• Gain 0 to 10.
• Peak Reduction 0 to 10.
• Compressor Mode Comp, Limiter.
• HF Freq 0 to 100.
• Analog Off, 50Hz, 60Hz.
• VU Display Input, Gain Reduction, Output.

CLA-76 Blacky & Bluey - Compressors / Limiters
Inspired by two highly-desirable revisions of the famed mid-60s Class A line level limiting amplifier, both versions of the CLA-76 ("Blacky" and "Bluey") offer the superfast attack (as quick as 50 microseconds) that made the originals studio legends. With an exclusive "ALL" control that recreates the original's explosive "All-Ratio-Buttons-In" mode, plus modeled pre-amp distortion for that extra edge, the CLA-76 delivers some of the most powerful drum sounds imaginable (according to Waves, natch).

Features:

• Superfast attack.
• Exclusive ALL control.
• Pre-amp distortion modeling.
• Zero latency.
• Up to 24bit 192kHz resolution.
• Mono and Stereo components.

Controls:

• Input Inf to 0.
• Output Inf to 0.
• Attack 1 to 7 (1 millisecond to 50 microseconds).
• Release 1 to 7 (1 second to 50 milliseconds).
• Ratio 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, ALL.
• Comp Off Comp On, Comp Off.
• Analog Off, 50Hz, 60Hz.
• VU Display Input, Gain Reduction, Output.

Pricing & Availability

CLA Classic Compressors is available for Windows and Mac OS X. MSRP is $800 for the native versions (VST, AU, RTAS and AS) or $1600 for the TDM version. CLA Classic Compressors are available at no additional charge to users of Waves Mercury covered by Waves Update Plan.