Emulating a classic

Waves has started shipping the Abbey Road RS124 Compressor, a digital replication of the infamous Abbey Road RS124, known for its “silky-smooth” compression, and the only RS124 software emulation to be approved by Abbey Road. The Waves Abbey Road plug-in features two distinct RS124 flavours modelled from the original hardware, Studio and Cutter. Studio models RS124 serial no. 60070B – a favourite unit used for tracking at Abbey Road from the late 1950s into the 1960s, due to its faster attack and release times. This is the more aggressive sound of the RS124 and creates a “squashed” sound on transients. Cutter is a modification with slower attack and release times.

CLA Epic

The slower RS124s were favoured for studio reduction mixes and in Abbey Road’s cutting rooms during the 1960s. The more relaxed attack made these units suitable and more forgiving for bus compression and mastering purposes. Both models include the “Super Fuse” mode that matches release time to attack time, creating a compression character that sounds like it’s “fighting against itself”.

The CLA Epic plug-in has been designed with Grammy-award-winning mix engineer, Chris Lord-Alge. The plug-in features Lord-Alge’s four go-to delays (Slap, Throw, Tape, Crowd) and four go-to reverbs (Plate, Room, Hall, Space). These modules are each based on his favourite studio gear, which he uses in various combinations in every one of his mixes. Whether used on vocals, drums or other instruments, CLA Epic “opens the gate to more depth in mixes and productions”.