WAVES
CLA-76
User Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
1.1 WELCOME...........................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 PRODUCT OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................................................3
1.3 ABOUT THE MODELING ........................................................................................................................................4
1.4 COMPONENTS.....................................................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2 – QUICKSTART GUIDE.......................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 3 – INTERFACE AND CONTROLS.........................................................................................................7
3.1 CLA-76 INTERFACE ............................................................................................................................................7
3.2 CLA-76 CONTROLS ............................................................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 4 – THE WAVESYSTEM .......................................................................................................................11
4.1 THE WAVESYSTEM TOOLBAR ............................................................................................................................11
Toolbar Functions..............................................................................................................................................................11
4.2 PRESET HANDLING............................................................................................................................................11
Preset Types .....................................................................................................................................................................11
Loading Presets and Setups..............................................................................................................................................12
Saving Presets and Setups ...............................................................................................................................................12
Deleting Presets................................................................................................................................................................13
A/B Comparison and Copying ...........................................................................................................................................13
4.3 INTERFACE CONTROLS ............................................................................................................................... .......13
Toggle Buttons ..................................................................................................................................................................13
Value Window Buttons ...................................................................................................................................................... 14
Sliders ...............................................................................................................................................................................14
Hover Box..........................................................................................................................................................................14
TAB Functions...................................................................................................................................................................14
APPENDIX A – CLA-76 CONTROLS......................................................................................................................15
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Chapter 1 – Introduction
1.1 Welcome
Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your Waves processor, please take the
time to read through this
In conjunction, we also suggest that you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net
an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation guides, new Software
Updates, and current information on Authorization and Registration.
By signing up at www.wavesupport.net
products, reminders when updates are available, and information on your authorization status.
1.2 Product Overview
About the CLA-76
The CLA-76 is modeled after one of the best renowned solid state compressor/limiters in music history,
which uniqu
originally manufactured, and went through at least 13 revisions during their run. Waves modeled two of
these highly-regarded revisions:
Revision B, also known as the Silverface Bluestripe. The unit we modeled is CLA’s personal favorite.
Revision D-LN (Low Noise), also known as the Blackface. It is perhaps the most famous version of
this classic compressor.
The main differences between the two units are slightly different gain stages and time constants, as
well as THD and noise levels. For the CLA-76 plug-ins, we
ely used Field Effect Transistors (FETs) as gain control devices. Some 8,000 units were
About Chris Lord-Alge
Grammy®-winner Chris Lord-Alge is the mixing engineer of choice for pop and rock royalty.
Green Day | U2 | Dave Matthews Band | Daughtry | Pink | Leona Lewis | Avril Lavigne |
My Chemical Romance | All American Rejects | Nickelback | Rob Thomas | Snow Patrol |
Ray LaMontagne | Miley Cyrus | Jonas Bros. | Tim McGraw | Faith Hill | Tina Turner | Rod Stewart |
Celine Dion | Santana
For almost thirty years, Chris has energized the sound of popular music. His hard-hitting mixes have
transformed the radio so
massive hardware arsenal includes racks and racks of the most coveted compression units in music
history.
manual.
. There you will find
, you will receive personalized information on your registered
modeled the original pre-amp noise.
| Steve Winwood | James Brown
undscape, and introduced a new sonic vocabulary along the way. CLA’s
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Widely known among audio pros and listeners alike for his p
unchy sound and extreme compression
techniques, Chris gave us exclusive access to model his most prized processors, and worked closely
with Waves through every phase of development. Together with many of his personal presets, these
precision models deliver the distinctive sound of CLA’s favorite classic compressors.
1.3 About the Modeling
Many different elements contribute to the unique sonic behavior of analog gear. Waves painstakingly
modeled and incorporated the characteristics of the hardware into the CLA-76, in order to fully capture and
replicate the sound and performance of the original equipment. The hardware was modeled at reference
levels of –18 dBFS = +4 dBu, meaning that a signal of -18 dBFS from the DAW to the hardware unit will
display a meter reading of 0 VU (+4 dBu).
These are some of the most important elements of analog behavior:
Total Harmonic Distortion
Perhaps the most important analog behavior is Total Harmonic Distortion or THD, which is defined as the
ratio of the sum of the powers of all harmonic components to the power of the fundamental frequency. THD
is usually caused by amplification, and changes signal shape and content by adding odd and even
harmonics of the fundamental frequencies, which can change the overall tonal balance. THD can also
change peak output gain, usually by no more than +/- 0.2-0.3 dB.
Superfast Attack Time
The original hardware that inspired the CLA-76 is known for its
capable of dealing with the fastest transient material. Many compressors, when processing program material
with sharp transients, cause clicks at fast attack and release settings. The CLA-76, however, is capable of
responding to even the sharpest transients, cleanly and musically.
All Mode
Another feature that made the original hardware so popular was its explosive All-Ratio-Buttons-In mode.
The CLA-76’s All mode recreates the original’s aggressive compression, which was caused by the changing
bias of the FET component. This mode is especially effective on drums processed with parallel compression.
Hum
Waves modeled both 50Hz power current and 60Hz power current. If you listen closely, you will hear
that there is a difference in hum level between 50Hz and 60Hz. Since hum is unique to each region and
dependent upon local electrical conditions, you may find that the modeled hum is different than the hum
already present in your studio, and may not be suitable for your particular use.
superfast attack time of 50 microseconds,
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1.4 Components
WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug-ins, which we call
components. Having a choice of
choose the configuration best suited to your material.
The CLA-76 has two component processors:
CLA-76 Stereo – Two channel compressor, with one detector for both channel paths
CLA-76 Mono – One channel compressor
components for a particular processor gives you the flexibility to
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Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide
• Use the Ratio control to set the compression ratio.
• Use the Attack and Release controls to adjust the time constants for the type of material you
want to com
• Use the Input control to set the amount of compression desired. Check the meter to see the
amount of Gain Reductio
• Use the Output control to makeup for lost gain.
press. Important: Attack and Release settings range from slowest (1) to fastest (7).
n.
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Chapter 3 – Interface and Controls
3.1 CLA-76 Interface
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3.2 CLA-76 Controls
Input controls input level attenuation.
Range: -Inf to 0 (in 0.1dB steps)
Default: -30
Output controls output level attenuation.
Range: -Inf to 0 (in 0.1 steps)
Default: -18
Please note: The scale is not linear and has been adjusted to conform to the exact scaling of
odeled unit. Thus, there may be more compression than expected at certain steps, as with
the m
analog gear.
Attack controls the compression attack time.
Range: 1 (slowest - 1 millisecond) to 7 (fastest - less then 50 microseconds) in 0.0x steps
Default: 3
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Release controls the compression release time.
Range: 1 (slowest - 1 second) to 7 (fastest - 50 milliseconds) in 0.1x steps
Default: 4
Ratio controls the amount of gain reduction for signal above the threshold.
Like many compressors, the higher the ratio, the higher the threshold. For example, at a ratio of
20:1, the thr
compressed at a 20:1 ratio. When ratio is set to 4:1, the threshold drops to -18dBFS, meaning
that every peak which passes -18dBFS will be compressed at a ratio of 4:1. This, therefore,
results in “more” compression, despite the lower ratio.
Range: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, All
Default: 4:1
Please note: The “All” setting recreates the original hardware’s explosive “All-Ratio-Buttons-In”
mode. This mode results in very ag
worth checking out!
Comp Off mode bypasses the compression function, emulating the signal hitting the FET gain
reduction element and causing the “pleasing” distortion caused by the hardware’s pre-amp.
Range: Co
Default: Comp On
eshold point is -12 dBFS, meaning that every peak which passes -12dBFS will be
gressive compression with a decent amount of distortion. It’s
mp On, Comp Off
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Revision selects the type of modeled compressor.
Range: Bluey, Blacky
Default: Blacky
Analog controls analog characteristics caused by noise floor and hum, based on the power
supplies of the original units.
Range: Off,
Default: 60Hz
Meter toggles between Input, Gain Reduction, and Output metering.
50Hz, 60Hz
Range:
In, GR, Out
Default:
GR
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Chapter 4 – The WaveSystem
4.1 The WaveSystem Toolbar
All Waves processors feature the WaveSystem toolbar which takes care
functions you will encounter while working with your Waves software. The features of the WaveSystem
toolbar are the same on practically all Waves processors, so familiarity with its features will be helpful
whichever processor you are using.
Toolbar Functions
Undo Undoes the last 32 actions.
Redo Redoes the last 32 undone actions.
Setup A/B Toggles between two presets. This is useful for close comparison of different parameter
settings
Copy A->B Copies the current settings to the second preset register
Load Recalls presets from file
Save Saves presets in the Waves file formats
? Opens the manual for the processor you are using.
of most administrative
4.2 Preset Handling
Preset Types
Factory Presets are permanent presets in the Load menu. Factory presets cannot be
deleted. When applicable, different component plug-ins may have different factory presets.
User Presets are your favorite settings of the plug-in saved as a preset in the Load menu, under ‘User
Presets’. User Presets can be over-written and deleted.
Setup Files may contain more than one preset. For example, a single file can contain all the presets for
a sessio
access. This can be particularly useful with multiple instances of a plug-in in a single session. By saving
all the settings you create into a single Setup File, they can all be quickly available for every instance of
that plug-in.
n. When you open a Setup File, all its setups become part of your Load pop-up menu for fast
over-written or
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Loading Presets and Setups
Click-and-hold on the Load button to see the Load pop-up menu. The menu is divided into four
sections. If a section is not currently available it will not appear in the Load pop-up menu.
Open Preset File… Select to open any setup or preset file, whether from the Library or your
creations.
‘Filename.xps’: Displays any currently loaded Setup File and its presets.
Factory Presets: Displays the default Factory Presets.
User Presets: Displays any loaded User Presets.
own
Saving Presets and Setups
Click-and-hold on the Save button to see the Save pop-up menu. Four options are available. If an
option is not
Save to New File… Select this t
Save ‘File Name’ – “Preset Name” Overwrites the settings of the loaded preset (whether a User
Save to ‘File Name’ As… Saves the current settings as a new preset into the Setup file that
Put into Preset Menu As… Save the current settings into a User Preset that will always be in
currently available it will be grayed out and inaccessible.
o start a new Setup file. There are two prompts - first
for the setup filename, then for the preset name. You must provide
a name for both the setup file and the preset. Click OK (ENTER)
to complete the save. It is a good idea to create a folder in which
to save several setup files for a project.
Preset or a preset from a Setup File
Setup File is currently loaded, the name of the Setup File is
displayed followed by the name of the preset itself. If a User
Preset is loaded, its name is displayed.
is open (if o
prompted to give the preset a name.
your Load menu (until de
preset a name. User Presets are stored in the plug-in’s preference
file.
ne is not open, the option is grayed out). You will be
leted). You will be prompted to give this
) with the current settings. If a
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Deleting Presets
You may delete User Presets and presets within a Setup File. Factory Presets and Setup Library files
cannot be d
1. Hold the Command (Mac)/Control (PC) key down.
2. Click-and-hold the Load button to see the pop-up menu.
3. While still holding the Command/Control key, select the preset or setup to delete.
4. A confirmation box will appear, allowing you to cancel or ‘OK’ the deletion.
eleted or overwritten.
A/B Comparison and Copying
The Setup A/Setup B button may be clicked to compare two settings. If you load a preset in the Setup B
position, th
If you want to slightly modify the settings in Setup A, you can copy them t
Copy to B button, then alter Setup A and compare with the original Setup B.
The name of the current setup will be shown in the title bar (on platforms which support it), and will
switch as yo
Note: an asterisk will be added to the preset name when a change is made to the preset.
is will not affect the preset loaded into the Setup A position, and vice-versa.
o Setup B by clicking on the
u change from Setup A to Setup B.
4.3 Interface Controls
Controls can be in one of three states:
• Not Selected
• Selected
• Selected and Active where the cont
Toggle Buttons
Toggle buttons display the state of a control, and allow switching between two or more states. Single-
to change the control’s state. Some toggle buttons have a text display which updates with the
click
current setting, and others (bypass, solo, or monitoring toggles) illuminate when the control is active.
Some processors have l
adjustment while retaining the offset between the controls.
where the control is not the target of any user entry
where the control is the target of mouse control entry only
rol is the target for both mouse and keyboard entry
ink buttons between a pair of toggle buttons, allowing click-and-drag
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Value Window Buttons
Value windows display the value of a control and allow clic
via the keyboard.
• Using the mouse, click-and-drag
left/right, some up/down (as you hover over a button, arrows will appear to let you know which
direction of movement that button supports).
• Using the arrow
left/right (depending on the direction supported by that button) to move in the smallest
incremental steps across the button’s range (holding down the arrow keys will move faster
through the range).
• Using ke
value from your keyboard. If you enter an out of range number, the button stays selected but
remains at the current setting (system beeps? If system sounds are on?)
Some processors have l
adjustment while retaining the offset between the controls.
y entry, double click on the button to open the value window, and directly enter the
keys, click once with mouse to select the button, and then use up/down –
ink buttons between a pair of value windows, allowing click-and-drag
on the value window to adjust. Some value windows support
k-and-drag adjustment, or direct control
Sliders
Click on the slider itself or anywhere within the sliders track. T
is displayed in a hover window above the slider path.
he numerical value of the slider settings
Hover Box
Hovering boxes will appear and display the control value when hovering with the mouse over the
control.
TAB Functions
TAB moves the ‘selected’ status to the next control, with shift-TAB moving in the reverse direction.
Additionally, the Mac has an option-TAB function for ‘down’ movement and shift-option-TAB for ‘up’
move
ment where applicable.
If you have several Value Window Buttons selected, TAB functions will take you through the selected
controls on
ly.
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Appendix A – CLA-76 Controls
Control Range Default
Input
Output
Attack
Release
Ratio
Revision
0 – -inf (0. 1 steps) -30
0 – -inf (0. 1 steps) -18
1 – 7 (0.0x steps) 3
1 – 7 (0.0x steps) 4
20:1, 12:1, 8:1, 4:1, All 4:1
Blacky, Bluey Blacky
Analog
Meter
Off, 50Hz, 60Hz Default: 60Hz, Reset: Off
GR, IN, OUT GR
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