Warm Audio WA-2A Tube Optical Compressor

1-channel Tube Optical Compressor with All-discrete Signal Path, Custom Optical Photocell, and Cinemag Transformers
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Item ID: WA2A
Warm Audio WA-2A Tube Optical Compressor
Price:$995 and 68 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $28/month with 36 month financing*

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Warm Audio WA-2A Tube Optical Compressor
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Price:$995 and 68 cents
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Warm Audio WA-2A Optical Compressor

Warm Audio's WA-2A set its target high: the most iconic tube compressor in history. How does Warm do it? Through economies of scale, mostly. They don't cut corners on components (the WA-2A employs a custom optical photocell and genuine US-made Cinemag transformers), but they do order parts and build in quantity, which helps to keep costs down. Like the original classic unit, the WA-2A gives you a completely discrete signal path and the same arrangement of controls. And yes, it replicates the original's coveted warm sound and forgiving nature. Elevate your studio to the next level with the Warm Audio WA-2A.

What can the WA-2A do for you?

Every studio needs a good compressor, and the Warm Audio WA-2A is designed after the mother of all compressors — the legendary LA-2A Leveling Amplifier. With its euphonic, fluid, forgiving sonics and all-discrete, all-tube signal path, the WA-2A is your go-to device for everything from caressingly warm dynamics control to full-tilt squashfest. It's fabulous on bass, kick drum, vocals — you name it. It's lovely for punchy parallel processing on drums, and if you have two of them, the possibilities become even greater.

Top-tier performance — and a stunning value

At Sweetwater, we're all about performance and value, and that's what the WA-2A gives you. At this amazing price, you can double your value and get two. With a pair of these in your rack, you can make that stereo piano sit proudly in the track, punch up your toms, strap them across your stereo bus for some mastering magic, and fortify your mix with serious warmth and glue.

Warm Audio WA-2A Features:

  • Faithful re-creation of the iconic LA-2A Leveling Amplifier in a 2RU chassis
  • Completely discrete, all-tube signal path:
  • Historically accurate 4-tube circuit
  • US-made Cinemag input and output transformers
  • Custom optical photocell
  • Warm Audio's 1-year warranty

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Warranty Info

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube Optical Compressor
  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Controls: Limit/Compress, Output Gain, Peak Reduction, Gain Reduction
  • Frequency Response: 15Hz to 20kHz
  • Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4"
  • Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4"
  • Rack Spaces: 2U
  • Height: 3.5"
  • Depth: 7"
  • Width: 19"
  • Weight: 12 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: WA-2A

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Reviews

Buttery smooth!
I just love Warm Audio gear. The name fits the gear well because you get that analog warmth and the quality and value is pretty much unmatched. I had an issue with a light going out on the power supply and Bryce Young and his team took care of me in minutes with a replacement. Just awesome gear and an awesome company.
You can’t have a studio without this Comp
Forget about plugins they will not get close to this. I have a Universal Audio Optical compressor and I own W2a warm audio, both are great on their own. The truth of the matter is that warm audio did it right.
Music background: Guitarist, composer, producer
Warm WA2A compressor
Been waiting to pull the trigger on this to complete my analog vocal train. I always relied on the "Box" to mold the vocals, but having the WA2A now helps with tightening up on the performance, believe it or not. Mainly helps identify performance volume swings that once in the box, before, would be a big stretch to time consuming to correct or just sound good and sometimes need to be scratched and another session... With the WA2A we can hear, up front, if there is to large a volume variation and can address with tightening up the mic technique or even level boundaries to capture a better vocal, or just do another take. Also is of use for that awesome bass presence. I highly recommend the WA2A to anyone..
Music background: 50 years in the profession music business, drummer, music production
Great
Great compressor
The Vocal Chain King
Hands down my favorite compressor when working on vocals.

Incredibly simple controls, and an extremely transparent output. If you don't have one in your chain, you need it.

This 2A should be seen as the standard.
Music background: Co-Owner of Ari B Studios, Producer/Engineer