CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter is a Waves audio plugin that models the classic electro-optical tube compressor and limiter, built from Chris Lord-Alge's personal vintage hardware unit. It is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats.
CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter is modeled on a hardware unit that has been used on vocal, bass, guitar and other instrument tracks for decades. Waves based the plugin on studio engineer Chris Lord-Alge's personal vintage hardware, aiming to reproduce the original's response and character. Beyond compression, it includes a limiter mode, a mix control for parallel compression, and a sidechain frequency filter, with zero latency for both studio and live mixing.
The plugin is built around the electro-optical tube compression of the original hardware. Waves says it stays natural-sounding even under heavy compression.
Tube emulation adds musical, harmonic saturation to the signal. An optional subtle analog hiss and hum can be switched in for extra authenticity.
The mix control makes parallel compression straightforward, blending the compressed signal with the dry track. A trim control handles quick level adjustments.
Limiter mode increases instrument sustain. Presets by Chris Lord-Alge cover vocals, guitar, bass, drums and more, and the sidechain frequency filter lets you shape what the compressor responds to.
Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.
| Developer | Waves |
|---|---|
| Type | Plugin |
| Category | Compressor |
| Formats | VST2, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS |
CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats.
It supports Windows and macOS. The listed macOS requirements are Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14 and Sequoia 15, and Windows 10 or later is required on PC.
No. The plugin is listed with zero latency for both studio and live mixing.
