Waves CLA-76 Compressor / Limiter Plug-in Reviews
Waves' CLA-76 compressor/limiter plug-in is inspired by the legendary mid-'60s limiting amplifier, beloved by Sweetwater Sales Engineers for its lightning-quick attack and release times and the sound of its Class A output amplifier. The CLA-76 gives you both iconic revisions of the the classic hardware unit, each delivering attacks as quick as 50 microseconds. The All control replicates the original's explosive performance when all the ratio buttons were depressed, while modeled pre-amp distortion gives you the extra edge you need to put your drum tracks over the top. Waves' CLA-76: it's essential kit.
Delivered by download. Our unique partnership with Waves delivers your license code within minutes.
Customer Reviews
Customer Added Media
This product doesn't have any review media yet!
Share Your Thoughts
Help other music gear aficionados by sharing your opinions of gear you've purchased.
Questions about the CLA76?
Or call us at (800) 222-4700
Sweetwater's Sales Engineers are regarded as the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals in the music industry, with extensive music backgrounds and intense training on the latest products and technologies. They are available to offer you personalized product advice any time you need it.
Highest Rated Reviews
Wonderful, Colorful Compressor
Simply put, this is a wonderful compressor that I use all of the time, especially on vocals and guitars. Would highly recommend to those looking for a quality 1176 emu or to expand their 1176 emulation collection.
For Aggressive Compressing
After using stock compressors in my DAWs, using the CLA-76 took some getting used to. Its behavior requires some time to experiment with, but the results are good. It is a brutally aggressive compressor. Once you learn how it responds to your recordings, though, and can fine tune its settings, it can yield some satisfactory results. I'm not sure it can be a replacement for stock DAW compressors, but what it does, it does well.
Great Plugin
I got this plugin after lots of research on which plugins best emulate the real thing. I own only one reissue Universal Audio 1176LN and needed a plugin to apply to other heavy guitar tracks so I could get a realistic idea on how the overall mix would sound since I don't own enough hardware units to accomplish this. After comparing the real thing to the plugin, I laughed and thought, that's cute. Although the plugin doesn't sound anywhere near the real thing it seems Waves at least attempted to convey the unique tone characteristics of the original unit which they accomplished to a minor degree. The real unit compresses much more naturally while the attack and release controls allows for transient detail to shine through in a unique way while not only retaining bass response but even adding to it. It acts similar to an EQ but without using an EQ. The Waves plugin only slightly mimics this at BEST. The CLA-76 has a tone of it's own that falls short of the real thing. The good thing is that once I get to where I'm happy with the plugin and real 1176, I know once all hardware insert tracks are recorded it will only sound that much better! With that said I've come to like this plugin. As a plugin alone, it compresses and adds an interesting tone, but don't expect real hardware results. For what it is it's still a great plugin, and I'd recommend it to those starting up their home studios or those in my shoes who can't afford a rack of 3+ 1176's.
Use it on everything
one of the few plugins that sound good on almost everything - vocals, guitars, drums
