Tube-Tech Compressor Collection

The Tube-Tech CL 1B is a modern classic for a very good reason. As a vocal compressor in particular, its mixture of characteristic warm slow opto gain reduction and surprisingly versatile can’t-sound-bad operation have made it a staple across a wider variety of genres than perhaps any other optical compressor. Classic rock, cutting-edge pop, rap and hip hop, EDM… you name it. 

The CL 1B Mk II isn’t only a feature-update, adding side-chain low cut filters and parallel mixing. It’s a complete audio-visual overhaul as well. We’ve remodelled this luxury piece of studio hardware from the ground up, using our latest and best-ever component modelling and signal processing technology to give more detailed, punchier sound than ever. And it now has brand new high-resolution graphics which look gorgeous even on 4K and ultra-HD screens. You’ll want to reach out and grab the knobs the second you see it.

And when you do start to use it, you’ll be in control of a very special unit indeed – the tendency of an opto compressor is to grab hold fairly quickly but then take a while to fully reset, with a strongly exponential release curve. This means the transients are dealt with in a transparent way, but the larger body of the material benefits from a soft and musical levelling as the final ten or twenty percent of the gain reduction lingers before the next transient.

It’s a sound every mix engineer should have on lock-down for bass, acoustic guitars, vocals and much more.

The Tube-Tech Mk II Compressor Collection includes the CL 1B Mk II compressor and the original legacy CL 1B compressor.

In Short

• Improved sound; a total remodel from the ground up using our latest technology.
• New features – side-chain low-cut filters and parallel blend.
• Spectacular new high-resolution graphics.
• Characterful and yet still versatile compression.
• Great for vocals.
• The CL 1B optical compressor - a modern classic in a plethora of genres.
• Legacy plug-in version included.

System Requirements

• Mac OS X 10.13 up to OS 12 (older OS versions will not work) (64-bit only).
• Windows 10 (older Windows versions may work but are not tested) (Windows 11 Pending) (64-bit only).
• Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - Full Apple silicon support (M1 or higher).
• Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer.
• Screen resolution 1280x800 or larger.
• Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
• 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space).
• A Softube account is required to register and install the software.
• An iLok account is required for authorisation of the software.
• Internet access for downloading installer and managing licenses.
• iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use a physical iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement).
• In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.
• The most recent maintenance release of the DAW application is recommended.

However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and Softube's own rigorous testing standards - Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plugins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met.

Important note: make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com​