WAVES

CLA-3A
User Manual
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................... 2

Chapter 1 – Introduction................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Welcome ................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2 Product Overview .................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 About the Modeling ................................................................................................................. 4
• Total Harmonic Distortion ....................................................................................................................... 4
• Variable Release Times .......................................................................................................................... 4
• Hum......................................................................................................................................................... 4
• T4 ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
1.4 Components ............................................................................................................................ 5
Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide ........................................................................................... 6
Chapter 3 – Interface and Controls.................................................................................. 7
3.1 CLA-3A Interface..................................................................................................................... 7
3.2 CLA-3A Controls ..................................................................................................................... 8
3.3 The WaveSystem Toolbar .................................................................................................... 10
Appendix: CLA-3A Controls ........................................................................................... 10

Waves CLA-3A User Guide

2
Chapter 1 – Introduction

1.1 Welcome

Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your new Waves plugin, please take
a moment to read this user guide.

To install software and manage your licenses, you need to have a free Waves account. Sign up at
www.waves.com. With a Waves account you can keep track of your products, renew your Waves
Update Plan, participate in bonus programs, and keep up to date with other important information.

We suggest that you become familiar with the Waves Support pages: www.waves.com/support.
There are technical articles about installation, troubleshooting, specifications, and more. Plus, you’ll
find company contact information and Waves Support news.

1.2 Product Overview

The CLA-3A is modeled on an acclaimed solid-state compressor originally introduced in 1969. Like its
tube-based predecessor, the inspiration for the CLA-3A featured a simple control set, the T4 optical
attenuator for gain reduction, and powerful program-dependent compression characteristics. Embraced
by engineers and producers the world over due to their unmistakable compression behaviors and
unique sonic signatures, the original hardware units are widely used to this day.

Chris Lord-Alge considers these among his favorites of all vintage compressors.

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 | Steve Winwood | James Brown

For almost thirty years, Chris has energized the sound of popular music. His hard-hitting mixes have
transformed the radio soundscape, and introduced a new sonic vocabulary along the way. CLA’s
massive hardware arsenal includes racks and racks of the most coveted compression units in music
history.

Waves CLA-3A User Guide

3
Widely known among audio pros and listeners alike for his punchy 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-3A, 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 the CLA-3A’s 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.

• Variable Release Times

In the original modeled hardware, a T4 optical device determines compression behavior. When
strong signals are introduced to the compressor input, release time constants lasting several
seconds may result. In certain cases, this may cause the same passage to sound different during
successive playbacks, as the Release does not return to the unity position. This behavior is
identical to that of the original hardware, and should not be a cause for concern.

• 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 the 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.

Waves CLA-3A User Guide

4
 • T4
In the original hardware units, the T4 optical device is responsible for the amount of overall
compression and compression characteristics. These components are quite vulnerable to wear and
tear, and need to be replaced, ideally, every 2 to 3 years. Depleted T4 devices result in up to 80%
less compression as compared to newer components. In the course of our research, we discovered
that up to 90% of T4 components in use today have never been replaced. This means that the
majority of users are working with devices that compress far below the original manufacturer
specifications.

If you are used to the performance and behavior of an original unit, and find that the modeled plug-
in provides more aggressive compression than you are used to, it may be that you have grown
accustomed to a worn-out T4 component.

1.4 Components

WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug-ins, which we call
components. Having a choice of components for a particular processor gives you the flexibility to
choose the configuration best suited to your material.

The CLA-3A has two component processors:

CLA-3A Stereo – Two channel compressor, with one detector for both channel paths

CLA-3A Mono – One channel compressor

Waves CLA-3A User Guide

5
Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide

The CLA-3A offers 2 main controls for compression, as well as additional controls for fine-tuning.

• Using the Compress/Limiter toggle, select Compressor (approximately 3:1 ratio) or Limiter
(approximately 100:1 ratio).
• Use the Peak Reduction control to set the amount of compression desired.
• Use the Gain control to adjust make up level after the compression.
• Use the VU Meter to monitor Input, Output, and Gain Reduction levels.

Waves CLA-3A User Guide

6
Chapter 3 – Interface and Controls

3.1 CLA-3A Interface

Waves CLA-3A User Guide

7
3.2 CLA-3A Controls

Gain controls the output level of the audio path.

Range: 0 to 10 (in 0.01 steps)

Initial Value: 5.50
Reset Value: 4.08 (unity gain)

Peak Reduction controls the amount of signal compression.

Range: 0 to10 (in 0.01 steps)

Initial Value: 4.00
Reset Value: 0

Please note: The scale is not linear and has been adjusted to conform to the exact scaling of
the modeled unit. Thus, there may be more compression than expected at certain steps, as with
analog gear.

Waves CLA-3A User Guide

8
Compressor Mode selects compression or limiting.

Range: Comp, Limiter

Default: Comp

HiFreq increases voltage amplifier gain in the peak reduction circuit, for frequencies above
1 kHz, leaving lower frequencies unaffected. When set to Flat, the CLA-3A will provide equal
reduction to all frequencies. The more you move away from the Flat position, the more sensitive
the compressor is to higher frequencies, resulting in heavier compression. This control may also be
used as sort of a de-esser.

Range: 0 to 100 (in 0.1 steps)

Initial Value: 50.00
Reset Value: 100 (flat)

Analog controls analog characteristics caused by noise floor and hum, based on the power
supplies of the original units.

Range: Off, 50Hz, 60Hz

Initial Value: 60Hz
Reset Value: Off

Waves CLA-3A User Guide

9
 VU Display toggles between Input, Gain Reduction, and Output monitoring.

Range
In, GR, Out
Default
GR

3.3 WaveSystem Toolbar

Use the bar at the top of the plugin to save and load presets, compare settings, undo and
redo steps, and resize the plugin. To learn more, click the icon at the upper-right corner of
the window and open the WaveSystem Guide.

Appendix: CLA-3A Controls

Control Range Default
Gain 0-10 (0.01 steps) Initial Value: 5.50
Reset Value: 4.08 (unity gain)
Peak Reduction 0 to 10 (0.01 steps) Initial Value: 4.00
Reset Value: 0
HiFreq 0-100 (0.1 steps) Initial Value: 50
Reset Value: 100
Compressor Mode Comp, Limiter Comp
Analog Off, 50Hz, 60Hz Initial Value: 60Hz
Reset Value: Off
VU Display In, GR, Out GR

Waves CLA-3A User Guide

10