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Tube-Tech CL 1B MkII Compressor
Get the vocal compressor of modern pop, hip‑hop, and R&B.
- Track and mix with a modern classic compressor, fully endorsed by Tube-Tech, Denmark
- Enhance transients and retain dynamics with updated Parallel Compression and Sidechain Low Cut controls
- Add musical-sounding compression to vocals with the same “go-to” unit preferred by Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Kendrick Lamar, and more
- Dial-up weight and tube character on drums, bass, acoustic guitars, and vocals
Get the Vocal Compressor of Modern Pop, Hip-Hop, and R&B
What They Say
Tony Shepperd
Madonna, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston
Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII is worth it if you want a warm, musical opto compressor that flatters vocals and sits naturally on almost any source. It captures the sound of a modern-classic tube optical compressor that has been a studio staple for decades, and the mkII adds Parallel Compression and Sidechain Low Cut controls for more flexibility. Because it runs as a UAD native plug-in, you can place it on as many tracks as your computer can handle, no additional hardware required.
The Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII stands apart because it models an all-tube optical compressor, so its gain reduction is smooth and program-dependent rather than fast and clinical. Its Attack/Release Select switch lets you choose Fixed, Manual, or a hybrid of the two, an option most compressors do not offer. That combination gives you gentle, forgiving leveling on vocals along with enough control to shape drums, bass, and acoustic guitar.
The Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII gets its sound from optical, tube-based gain reduction, which grabs transients quickly and then releases slowly along a natural, exponential curve. That behavior keeps the front of a note intact while gently leveling the body underneath, so the compression feels musical instead of obvious. The mkII rebuilds this circuit with updated modeling that Tube-Tech officially endorses.
The Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII is a ground-up sonic update of the original CL 1B plug-in, with a deeper circuit model, new Parallel Compression and Sidechain Low Cut controls, and high-resolution graphics that scale cleanly on 4K displays. A built-in Generation Switch lets you flip between the mkII voicing and the original, so you keep the classic sound on older sessions. If you are choosing between the two, the mkII gives you everything the original does and more.
The Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII is built to sound like the hardware it models, and it is officially endorsed by Tube-Tech Denmark. The mkII uses updated component modeling to capture the tube and optical behavior of the original unit, including the way its gain reduction reacts to the frequency content of your signal. Many engineers who own the hardware use the plug-in to run the same sound across as many tracks as they need.
The Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII gives you three attack and release behaviors through its Attack/Release Select switch. Fixed mode locks in a fast attack and a set release for classic, hands-off leveling, Manual mode opens up fully adjustable attack and release for precise control, and Fix/Man pairs a fast fixed attack with a program-dependent release that reacts to your material. Fixed mode is a great starting point for vocals, while Manual and Fix/Man help you shape drums, bass, and guitar.
No, you do not need Universal Audio hardware to use the Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII, because it is available as a UAD native plug-in that runs on your computer's CPU. If you own an Apollo audio interface you can run the CL 1B for realtime workflows and offload the processing to your Apollo. You can also run the CL 1B with a UAD DSP accelerator, which frees up your computer’s processing. Either way, you get the same sound.
Yes, the Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII runs on both macOS and Windows. The UAD native version runs natively on Apple Silicon Macs as well as Intel Macs and Windows PCs, so it fits modern systems without extra workarounds. You just need a supported operating system and DAW.
The Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII supports VST3, AU, and AAX plug-in formats, so it loads in any compatible DAW. That covers the major recording and mixing platforms on both Mac and Windows. Once installed, it appears alongside your other plug-ins as a compressor.
The Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII is best used for vocals, where its smooth optical compression adds weight and consistency without sounding forced. It also works beautifully on bass, acoustic guitar, drums, and mix buses, adding tube character and gentle glue wherever you place it. Its response follows the frequency content of your signal, which is part of why it sits so well on low-end sources like bass.
The Parallel Compression control on the Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII blends your compressed signal with the original uncompressed signal inside the plug-in. That lets you add density and punch to a drum loop or lead vocal while keeping the natural dynamics and transients of the source. It is a quick way to get big, upfront compression without squashing the life out of a track.
The Sidechain Low Cut control on the Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII keeps low frequencies from triggering the compressor, so heavy bass energy does not pull down your whole signal. This keeps sources punchy and clear, which is especially useful on vocals, bass, and full mixes with a lot of low end. You get consistent compression that responds to the performance rather than the bass content.
You can get the Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII either as part of a UAD Spark subscription or as a perpetual license you own outright. UAD Spark includes it alongside a large library of UAD native plug-ins, while a perpetual license is a one-time purchase for just this plug-in. Both options let you run it with no UA hardware required, and you can start a 14-day trial to hear it in your own sessions first.
Yes, the Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII is one of the most popular choices for vocal compression, especially in pop, hip-hop, and R&B. Its optical circuit levels a vocal smoothly and musically, holding the performance steady while adding a touch of tube warmth on top. Fixed mode makes it easy to get a polished, radio-ready vocal with very little tweaking.
The Tube-Tech CL 1B mkII is a go-to compressor for pop and hip-hop because it delivers smooth, upfront vocals that sit forward in a busy, low-end-heavy mix. Its optical compression adds density and presence without harshness, and the Parallel Compression and Sidechain Low Cut controls help vocals cut through modern productions. That mix of warmth and clarity is why it has become a modern staple in these genres.