@Gregory Giovanni that says a lot about your securities. Big yikes.

Back in the day I built my 1176 intentionally with OEP transformers on both input and output, so it's really colorful and has lots of saturation. It's great when needing a dirty vocal :)

Randall Hibbard Ah that’s really nice of you to say, thank you 😊

Glad it was useful. Thanks.

You’re very kind, thanks David. I’ll be mixing the fully recorded version of this song on Wednesdays for the next few weeks (7pm UK/2pm EST).

That’s a powerful Opto compressor. Does it work in the same non-linear/exponential fashion a typical Opto does without the attack and ratio dials?

Hashim Al Alawi Excellent. I hope it helps. Any questions, let me know on here and I’ll see if I can help. Enjoy the WA2A 🙂

You’re more than welcome. Glad it was useful 🙂

@@EdThorne I was just wondering if there is any difference in patching in my one after the other or as an insert? Or same thing really?

@@stoneroofstudios4700 The primary difference between connecting the compressor in-line (after the preamp) or as an insert, is whether you can utilise the output make up gain on the preamp or not. In this video for example I needed the mic input gain quite hot to hit the Opto compressor because it doesn’t have an input gain dial. This would have been better being after the preamp output gain so I could hit the Opto compressor harder. A WA76, which has an input gain dial, would better suited as an insert compressor. Nowadays I use both in-line (Preamp - WA76 - WA2A - Audio Interface).

@@EdThorne Thank you again ed! Completely makes sense, and it sounds like you have a great rig! I appreciate your time.

nickamandote Thank you 🙂🙏 I’ve heard good things about the GA and hoping to compare my WA2A with the KT2A soon 🙂

Soe Win You’re welcome. Thanks for watching 🙂🙏

Warren Henry That’s Warren, I appreciate that from an Avid WA fan and quality video producer like yourself 🙂🙏

Thanks. Hopefully it was helpful 🙂🙏

Dan Desmond Ha. This comment has made my day, thank you. I only started (rebrand and decided to push) the channel in January so it’s early days 🙂

@@EdThorne haha legend I did think that might have been the case :) keep em coming!

You’re welcome. Stay tuned for a video about the WA76 soon.

@@EdThorne Nice, That'll be handy

Jorge Salas Thanks Jorge 🙂🙏

Thanks. It sure is, simply route out of outputs 3&4, into the WA, then back into inputs 1&2 line-in at minimum gain.

Malcom Fitzpatrick Thanks Malcom. I keep hearing great things about the ToneBeast. I may have to acquire one 🙂

@@EdThorne Yes! Its like six preamps in one with all the setting that you can do to tailor make your sound. then just add a wa76 in the mix to get awesome compression and then your off to the races.

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching 🙂

Interesting question. I haven’t done that. I either record with the EQ and commit it, or bypass the EQ and adjust later using plugins. You could bypass the EQ, record into you daw, then later send back out through the insert return to bypass the preamp and use the EQ yeh but that’s sounds like more work than necessary. That would save on buying a WA-EQP device.

Thanks Alexei. Man I wish I could buy more, lol.

Look into the financing options of zzounds and American music supply. They're limited on 500 racks but they have a lot of 500 modules and rack joints

Thanks Michael, I’ll give that a try. I appreciate the input 🙂🙏

@@EdThorne Great! Really awesome channel, looking forward to all your future content

Michael Cambanis Thanks Michael 🙂

I was gonna let that go! Lol. But, yeah you really wanna get the signal-flow and gain-staging down, or you'll just make a mess. That metering knob on the right is your friend. (A perfect example of why I don't like the KZfaq regurgitation of "conventional wisdom" that says "mix with your ears!" As if to say "Totally Blind Folded!" The meters, input, output, VU, PPM, GR, dBFS, LUFS, True-Peak, ALL OF THEM, are there for a reason. I say Mix with your Mind! All of your senses send information to your mind, which can then make informed decisions. Your Ears absolutely tell you what the listener is going to hear. But your Eyes tell your Hands how to get there. Also, ever see Pianists, Keyboard Players, Guitarists, or Drummers use both Hands AND both Feet? Well the Engineer's instruments include buttons, knobs, faders, keyboard shortcuts, mice, and transport controllers with Foot Pedals to Start/Stop and Punch-In. All informed by the what their eyes are seeing on the Meters and Waveforms, and what their Ears are communicating to their soul.

I was told to put the output to 0 then adjust the red gain knob to taste, think am going to go back to the drawing board, how do you set yours up into 76

I don’t personally, I leave it flat for vocals and acoustics. I sometimes play with it if I’m running bass through it.

Okay awesome thank you!

You can only bypass the preamps on the rack mounted X series Apollos. But, if you use the line ins set to minimum gain (10dB) you will experience minimal preamp influence.

Thanks Philip. I can look into that, I assume you have a preamp? Which compressor, the WA76 or WA2A? I have and use both in my vocal signal chain. now.

@@EdThorne I only have the Apollo twin and wa76, I’m saving up for a preamp lol Will I be able to use these together without a preamp ?

A compressor needs a line level signal so the mic needs to go through a preamp first otherwise it won’t create enough voltage to actively the compressor. I’ve heard great things about the Tone Beast or I can highly recommend the WA73+EQ. You could use the compressor as an insert by sending it out of your DAW using outputs 3&4 on your Twin, through the compressor and back into inputs 1&2 to re-record the audio with the applied compression. I’ve done this a few times and it works really well.

@@EdThorne Cheers Ed I really appreciate all your help 👍 I’ll let you know how I get on when I decide on a preamp 😎

@@philipwright2873 Happy to help 🙂

The WA73 is great for recording any vocals. It’s smooth, warm and clear.

@@EdThorne thank you so much. I forgot to ask you. I have Neumann tlm 103 and Audient id 14 interface. So can this wa-73 be good to go with my setup?

@@shravankulkarni8736 Yeh, that’s a great set-up. Make sure to go line-in on your interface from the WA73

@@EdThorne yes, thank you very much. So according to your opinion I can buy this wa-73 without fear. Thank you once again.

Precise Audio Blog Thank you. There is no pad button, but the gain dial goes to -20 on the line in setting, so I guess that does the same thing.

Hi there. You absolutely can do as well. Mic-preamp-compressor-interface. This is called ‘in-line’, or ‘in series’ processing (rather than an ‘insert’). I actually do this now myself with two compressors.

@@EdThorne yeah okay, thank you mate

You get better signals with balanced cables..its just better

Yeh that will work. As long as the pre is first and you keep an eye on gain staging each device you’ll be good. Seems a waste of the stereo Bud Comp though… The WA76 could be a good alternative to free up the stereo unit.

@@EdThorne If I were to use the WA2A I wouldn't have the Bus Comp engaged at that time. I just want to try out a 2A style tube compressor and see if I like it over the VCA Bus Comp. I could aternate using them. Thank you for your reply.

It’s a mono unit. You may have phase issues using two. I’d definitely opt for a specific stereo device for mastering. The WA Bus-Comp is a great compressor. Not sure I’d consider it mastering grade though. It curtails the top end and very low end slightly.

@@EdThorne wow I wasn’t expecting a reply this quick! You’re the man!! Subscribed haha thanks again brother

Hi there, are you using the Logic I/O plugin? This is a tricky one to explain in text form but research how to set up the I/O plugin. I am overdue doing a video on this because it is fiddly.

@@EdThorne hey, cheers for getting back to me. I think the problem was universal control mixer for presonus software was playing out as well software monitoring. If you could include how to correctly print audio tracks using buses that would be great! Got there but more by luck than a clear understanding haha. Thanks again man and look forward to more videos!!!

Good info Mark, thanks for sharing. I’ll try your settings on my next vocal session. 🙂

It should be yeh. Does the SPX have inserts?

Yes, it have inserts send and Return. Can i use balanced trs on insert and return outputs, in your video you have used unbalanced cables as well. I really dont know whats the purpose of balanced and unbalanced cables. Can you give me a genuine idea to connect please?

@@lochaze Balanced should be fine. Connect them as I’ve shown in the video.

Hi, I’ve briefly explained what it is in this video at 1:50, with a bit more detail during the bass guitar sound comparison later in the video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nreHdJSp1s_aipc.html

@@EdThorne thank you. I also had another question regarding the gain on my external pre. I have the golden age premier 73 dlx and I notice the warm and this unit has line and mic markers on the gain knob. Noticed that your gain at slightly above line but nowhere near mic and I have a condenser as well but have the gain at mic. I’m wondering if that’s too much and if I should lower it and adjust the gain on my wa76 and Wa2a?

@@Prodby_duke The 'Line' and 'Mic' gain markings are suggested guide gains. I believe they're there to remind you the Line/Instrument input circuits are different and require different gains. The input gain depends on the mic/instrument (high for a dynamic mic such as the SM7b, 50-70dB), and much lower for a condenser like my JZ v67 (20-40dB). Gain level is subject to performance/sound source, loud or quiet etc, and how much you want to push the preamp. The more you push the preamp the more saturated the sound will be. The best thing is to experiment and listen to what sounds you get.

This is what WA recommend for inserts (and short distance cabling).

Set the EQ in-line after the preamp before your interface.

@@EdThorne what if i had an Audio Mixer in the chain ? Where would i put that ?

I have, many times. It’ll happen at some point I’m sure 🙂🤘

Yes!🙂

Hi there, I don’t use my 2A excessively and my longest session has probably been 3-4 hours. They don’t get too hot and I’ve not had to replace a tube yet in two years.

@@EdThorne thankyou for the response, ill be geting one:)

Mic - WA73 - Apollo!

@@EdThorne yes i understand. But in addition i need to go from the line out from the apollo to the line in on the back of the wa73?

That all sounds correct. Check the gains at the input and output stages on the WA73, and on the interface. You will need some gain on the line-in on the SSL.

@@EdThorne oh I see. I thought I need to bypass the preamp on the ssl by turning the gain all the way down, so I rely on the gain from the 73?

@@jackmmarsden You want minimum gain on the SSL to minimise the influence of the preamp, but unless you can physically bypass the preamp (like you can on iD44mkii or Apollo X6), you have to have some gain on the line in otherwise it will be effectively be muted.

@@EdThorne weird. It’s working now. I plugged the mic into the front mic in on the 73, and now I’m getting signal. The gain on ssl is all off too. Wonder why the rear xlr mix in on 73 isn’t working? Do I have to press one of the line, insert, instr on from panel of 73 in order to engage the rear mic in?

@@jackmmarsden Glad you got it working. Guess the SSL line in has a minimum gain (likely 10dB). No idea why the rear panel XLR wouldn’t be working.

Yes and yes. 👌

@@EdThorne Thanks, so can you have 2 mics connected and which ever one is operational will just work? That would be handy as I have a handheld condenser and a mic stand mounted condenser.

I can’t remember, I’d have to check. I haven’t switched anything though since it was delivered.

On my version (Twin mkii) you cant bypass the preamps but going in at the lowest level (10dB) apparently removes all influence of the preamp sound. Alternatively go in with TRS. You can bypass the preamps on the new X models.

Alessandro Manuel You can, yes. 🙂 As long as you’re preamp has an insert send/return.

Thanks dude!@@EdThorne

To maximise the benefit of th external preamp, and minimise influence of the interface preamp you want to go in with as little interface gain as possible (the level coming from the 73 and 2A).

Yeh, now I used them in-line. Also with the WA76 before the 2A👌

I’m so glad it’s helped. I’m loving the WA gear too. Thanks for the support 🙂

@@EdThorne May I ask what the benefit is setting up the wiring this way versus Mic to WA73 to WA2A and then to audio interface?

Chris Abad The compression is post preamp but pre-EQ like this.🙂

Greg West Hi Gregg, good question. No, unfortunately it doesn’t, it’s listed as 4 out device but they’ve included the stereo headphone out in that, with two outs for your monitors. The Twin has an extra two outputs for outboard/Alt speakers.

@@EdThorne Understood! Cheers!

@@EdThorne Do you happen to know if it's possible to use one of the two extra outputs for one alt speaker (a mix cube) and the other to send out to the hardware to run already recorded tracks through?

Braedon Horbacio You can re-assign the two monitor outputs on the SOLO for different things but then you’ll have no monitors. The other two outputs listed are to the stereo headphone jack output. You could use this as a monitor out with a stereo to mono jack cable.

Actually.... Yeah, if you haven't bought a Solo/Arrow yet, you'll be better off with a used Twin, because it Does have 2 inputs AND 4 real Line Outputs, in addition to the Headphone out. (And ADAT in, so for a couple hundred bucks, you can add 8 more inputs later) That said: A) This video was about a Front end, before the inputs. Hooking up an external Mic Pre/EQ, inserting a Compressor, all to track through Before you hit the Converters. The Solo, and ANY interface can do that. B) Now, let's say that you have Tracks that are recorded already. And you want to send them Out of your DAW, process them on your Sweet Analog Gear, and then back Into your DAW to mix. That's a form of "Hybrid Mixing", going back and forth between Analog and Digital, and it's the only thing that makes life worth living. So, with a Twin, you connect Outs 1/2 to your L/R Monitors as suggested, your Headphones are free to setup as you choose, and Outs 3 & 4 are free to use for Hardware sends. (Except in ProTools, which makes everything a PITA, but you can still get there, just with more routing for Hardware Inserts.) If you had this video's Outboard gear, you could Send say a vocal Out of 3, into the Line input on the 1073, gain staging in as much saturation as you like, then back Out, to Line-In 1 on the Apollo Twin. But while you're at it, you can switch in the EQ on the 1073 and give the vocal that 12K air that we all love. AND, you could Either Insert the LA2A into the 1073, just like in the video, which places the Compressor BEFORE the EQ, Or you could unplug the cable from your Twin Line-In 1, plug it into the LA2A Input, then take it's Output into the Twin. That places the Compressor AFTER the 1073 EQ. There's no Right way, it's up to you, and I do both given the situation. But wait, there's more. You only have 1 LA2A, and it's not doing much for the vocal. But it might be sweet on the Bass. Well send the Bass out of Twin Out 4, into the LA2A, out of that, into Twin Line-In 2. Now your Vocals are getting the classic Transformer & EQ treatment, and you're Bass is getting some Fat Tube love! (Gain-staging is EVERYTHING here!) Got any other tracks that could benefit from these "Original Plugins"? Just Print those two tracks, reset all the knobs, and send the next two lucky candidates through the tunnel of love. Sooooo, can you do all that with the $500 Solo? Was that your question? In most cases YES, you can! But you have to Either use your headphones to Monitor, using the Line-Outs 1/2 for the Sends; Or, get a good "Insert Cable" that separates out the Unbalanced Stereo 1/4" TRS Headphone Jack, into 2 Unbalanced Mono 1/4" TS Jacks. Inside the Computer, you'll have to Route to those Headphone Outs, Left and Right separately, which can be confusing, but is doable once you figure it out. On many systems, you MAX the Headphone Volume to get a Line Level, and the fact that it's Unbalanced usually doesn't matter because the cables are short, and on much Outboard the I/O is really Unbalanced anyways, and if it is balanced, it will still happily accept Unbalanced inputs. Then you send the Balances Outs of your Outboard, to the Line-Inputs of your Interface like before. So, the Solo may be a bit more work to set up, but Will almost certainly work and sound fantastic. (And don't forget that it's UAD, so you have Unison Preamps and Realtime processing on your way back In. You can add a UAD LA2A as a Plugin on that Vocal, and add a UAD 1073 EQ on that Bass. That's the beauty of Hybrid. And that's why you pay a premium for UA, the DSP is Realtime and the Emulations are among the best. Especially the Emulations of Their Own Hardware, LA2A, LA3A, 1176, 610, etc. You bought it, Use It!)

Please elaborate on your question, I don’t understand?

Hi Angelo, that’s a great hardware chain. I use the same set up for vocals (with an Apollo instead on Lynx) like so: Mic-WA73 - WA76 - WA2A - Interface. So the chain is inline, I don’t use the inserts (anymore), and use XLRs to connect throughout. Balanced TRS also possible.

@@EdThorne why did you stop using inserts?

@@EdThorne Thank you by the way

@@AngeloDevinci The insert send is a pre-output gain on the WA73 so if using a WA2A, which doesn't have an input level dial, besides your input gain you don't have control over how much signal level is hitting the compressor. A compressor like the WA76 is fine to use as an insert because you have an input gain dial so you can control how hard you hit the compressor. I like using both these compressors in series (in-line). I could use them as an insert inline but I believe the insert is also pre-EQ, and if I use the EQ, I'd rather it was pre-compression, so using it after the WA73 entirely makes sense. There's several configurations you can use.

What gain do you have it set at without using insert? On the wa73?

The insert is pre-EQ. Of course if you want compression after the EQ, just link the units is series.

@@EdThorne thank you, you da best

You can do either but insert is pre EQ.

@@EdThorne Thank you so much for responding is pre eq better ? So that’s basically compression happening before eq right ?

@priiintplayzz6219 it’s always worth trying both.

I'm not sure why they specify that. Maybe an impedance thing. An only of course if you're linking short distances, otherwise always go balanced.

Ed Thorne Music Production thanks

Markiso Wickstorm Yeh, I’m not sure the WA2A is the right compressor for vocals. I’m hopefully getting a WA76 soon which doesn’t have tubes so shouldn’t distort.

@@EdThorne The LA-2a does not distort if you gain stage correctly. A little bit of harmonic distortion that brightens it up a bit, yes but not like that.

@@wickstorm_records Yeh, listening back, I think I had the gain on the first recording a fraction too hot. Living and learning.

Ed Thorne. Humble answers. Thanks for your videos, you’re great!

Eduardo Jiménez Lostaunau It’s the only way to learn and improve. Thanks for the kind words there 🙂

Ian harris That’s a shame. What broke? And did you contact Warm Audio? I’ve heard their after care customer service is great.

@@EdThorne yes I did and they were great, told me to try a bunch of different test, but when I went to try them the unit wasn’t working at all. Need to contact them again.