CLA-76 Compressor / Limiter

Super-fast FET compression with legendary tone

The Key to Hard-Hitting Dynamic Mixes

Unlike the smooth sound of optical control-based compressors, the CLA-76 models the ultra-fast response, and tube-like distortion, of FET control circuitry. This plugin models two CLA-76s, based on hand-picked hardware that represents the best of the many revisions that were produced.

Tight, aggressive, and with a big, bold character, the CLA-76 is a favorite of acclaimed mix engineer Chris Lord-Alge. We modeled his two most-prized hardware units, “Bluey” and “Blacky,” both perfectly maintained in his studio—so you can have their sound in your mixes.

Attack and release times track drum dynamics perfectly
Exclusive ALL ratio mode delivers explosive compression sound
Modeled preamp distortion gives that extra-aggressive edge
Super-fast attack time keeps transients under control
“Blacky” and “Bluey” models let you choose the ideal tonal color
Leveling-amp design gives consistent control for vocals
Presets created by Grammy-winning mixer Chris Lord-Alge
Zero latency for both studio and live mixing
Mix control for easy parallel compression
Trim control for quick level adjustment

Watch It in Action

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What Top Pros Are Saying

[{"itemID":2095,"itemGUID":"48efc2ce-a2c9-4db1-ab45-081ff4bc14cf","artistName":"Jacquire King","artistTitle":"Producer \u0026 Mixer","credits":"Kings of Leon, James Bay, Tom Waits, Niall Horan","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/jacquire-king.png","quote":"I use the CLA-76 Compressor a lot. It sounds and behaves so much like my own 1176 Bluestripe!","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":1},{"itemID":2264,"itemGUID":"d0665dd9-1134-4dc6-ac43-1be3b21f71d5","artistName":"Mick Guzauski","artistTitle":"Mixing Engineer","credits":"Daft Punk, Eric Clapton, Janelle Mon\u00E1e, Mariah Carey","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/mick-guzauski.png","quote":"CLA\u2019s 1176 has the best simulation of the \u2018all buttons down mode\u2019 of the hardware 1176 that I\u2019ve heard in a plugin.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":2},{"itemID":2829,"itemGUID":"7ef46782-7557-41c6-85f1-e1bd96221d98","artistName":"Stuart White","artistTitle":"Mixing Engineer","credits":"Beyonc\u00E9, Jay Z, FKA Twigs, Autolux","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/stu-white.png","quote":"I don\u2019t know what I\u2019d do without the CLA-76. It\u2019s one of the plugins that just works every single time and there is zero latency.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":3},{"itemID":2061,"itemGUID":"edf7c7c0-5ca5-4a41-a226-0176567be1fb","artistName":"Noah Passovoy","artistTitle":"Producer, Engineer, Mixer","credits":"Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/noah-passovoy.png","quote":"I can\u2019t live without this plugin on my sessions. The CLA-76 is all over everything I work on.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":4},{"itemID":1843,"itemGUID":"723a5cbd-cd9b-44c4-aa5a-c7d20448fe79","artistName":"Tom Lord-Alge","artistTitle":"Producer, Mixing Engineer","credits":"Blink-182, Weezer, Live, Dave Matthews Band","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/tom-lord-alge.png","quote":"No mix of mine would be complete without CLA-76. Whether on guitars or vocals, this plugin sounds exactly like the units I used to \u2018borrow\u2019 from my brother. I guess it\u2019s time to return them!","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":5},{"itemID":2015,"itemGUID":"c83a1c99-cdec-40ef-be0d-631113f5ee26","artistName":"Ethan Mates","artistTitle":"Recording \u0026 Mixing Engineer","credits":"Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black-Eyed Peas, Die Antwoord","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/ethan-mates.png","quote":"This is one plugin I use on every mix. I\u2019ve been a huge user of the original 1176s for 20 years, and CLA-76 is the closest thing to the real deal, period. The way it reacts to a signal is fantastic.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":6},{"itemID":1834,"itemGUID":"fa362e8e-5eea-4714-a736-453052864414","artistName":"Mark Ralph","artistTitle":"Producer, Songwriter, Mixing Engineer","credits":"Clean Bandit, Years \u0026 Years, Jax Jones, TIEKS","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/mark-ralph.png","quote":"I love CLA-76. I mainly use it on vocals. It very accurately emulates the original hardware versions.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":7},{"itemID":2688,"itemGUID":"0864e9c4-8caf-488b-8ed9-ddb2824760a4","artistName":"Andrew \u201CVoxGod\u201D Bolooki","artistTitle":"Vocal Producer, Producer and Mixer/Engineer","credits":"Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, Fifth Harmony, Selena Gomez","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/andrew-bolooki.png","quote":"The CLA-76 is one of the most reliable compressor plugins available.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":8},{"itemID":2611,"itemGUID":"c96ad37f-8aad-4ba9-a290-7d8a6f245e54","artistName":"Sky van Hoff","artistTitle":"Music Producer, Mixer, Musician","credits":"Rammstein, Emigrate, The X-Factor","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/sky-van-hoff.png","quote":"If somebody would take the CLA-76 from me I\u2019d probably lose my mind\u2026or use one of those other great compressors Waves has.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9},{"itemID":2087,"itemGUID":"3d2b40aa-2571-4cdd-9611-f1fb3c6d5e2a","artistName":"Carlos de la Garza","artistTitle":"Producer, Mixing \u0026 Recording Engineer","credits":"Paramore, Young the Giant, Wolf Alice, Ziggy Marley","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/avatar-male.png","quote":"The CLA-76 makes pretty much everything that runs through it sound better.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":10},{"itemID":2464,"itemGUID":"3bbab36e-711d-48f8-a518-0e02ec8837a0","artistName":"Chris Baseford","artistTitle":"Producer, Recording \u0026 Mixing Engineer","credits":"Nickelback, Shinedown, Avril Lavigne, Rob Zombie","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/chris-baseford.png","quote":"The default dynamics plugin in my Pro Tools preferences; that says a lot right there!","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":11},{"itemID":2333,"itemGUID":"f291beed-e99d-4b71-a10a-708f21a3ff3d","artistName":"Ian Hicks","artistTitle":"FOH Engineer","credits":"The Chainsmokers, The Glitch Mob, Bassnectar","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/ian-hicks.png","quote":"The CLA-76 makes the meanest parallel compression I\u0027ve ever heard.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":12},{"itemID":3215,"itemGUID":"0b904832-523b-43b0-b65e-4f0afa95dfea","artistName":"ANTISERUM","artistTitle":"DJ, Producer, Sound Designer, Mix \u0026 Mastering Engineer","credits":"12th planet, Excision, Caspa, Bro Safari","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/antiserum.png","quote":"Try using CLA-76 on a return bus (parallel compression) for Drums or Lead vocals! I love the squash mode to get gritty drum tones.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":13},{"itemID":2059,"itemGUID":"d667bba3-75d5-45eb-a9ec-5750d0446ebc","artistName":"SodTp","artistTitle":"Producer, Musician, Songwriter","credits":"William Singe, Che Pope","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/sodtp.png","quote":"My favorite compressor by far. I slap the CLA-76 on almost everything.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":15},{"itemID":2388,"itemGUID":"ab05f065-c380-4d1c-a088-fec301cdc728","artistName":"Kesha Lee","artistTitle":"Recording and Creative Production Engineer ","credits":"Childish Gambino, Lil Uzi Vert, Migos, Playboi Carti","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/kesha-lee.png","quote":"One of my go-to plugins. I love the character and punch it adds to vocals. ","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":16},{"itemID":2721,"itemGUID":"4dba29e3-a509-4091-9079-f53b9b0a55fc","artistName":"Cam Blackwood","artistTitle":"Record Producer and Songwriter","credits":"George Ezra, Jack Savoretti, Frank Carter \u0026 The Rattlesnakes, Tom Walker","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/cam-blackwood.png","quote":"The Bluey version is GREAT for vocals and high-end percussion: I use it on 95% of my vocal chains. Tip: Use the \u201Call in\u201D ratio setting as it really slams the compressor and makes the vocal jump out.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":17},{"itemID":2908,"itemGUID":"cd48d983-0bee-4fdf-92eb-0b3e32f89adc","artistName":"Koen Heldens","artistTitle":"Mixing Engineer","credits":"XXXTentacion, Kanye West, Trippie Redd, Lil Wayne","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/koen-heldens.png","quote":"For smooth controlled vocals I love to use Waves CLA-76 compressing 3dB with a 4:1 Ratio and Attack at 3 and Release at 7. If I\u2019m going for a more aggressive in-your-face vocals sound, I switch it to the Bluey with the same settings but knocking down 10dB.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":19},{"itemID":3558,"itemGUID":"ba77101f-6127-42cb-b2fb-880c34c45e64","artistName":"Courtney Gladney","artistTitle":"FOH/Monitor Engineer","credits":"Avery*Sunshine, Dave Hollister, Fantasia, Bell Biv Devoe","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/courtney-gladney.jpg","quote":"I use CLA-76 on my drums to give me the dynamics I want. It has nearly zero latency in my live mix. I also use it to help my vocals sit on top of my mix in challenging environments.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999},{"itemID":3594,"itemGUID":"6885d6de-62ae-44fb-ac1d-f1a50bdf7c6f","artistName":"Dennis \u201CRoc.am\u201D Jones","artistTitle":"Artist, Producer, Songwriter, Mixing \u0026 Mastering Engineer","credits":"Rihanna, H.E.R, Ice Spice, Frank Sinatra","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/dennis-roc-am-jones.jpg","quote":"Instantly loading this brings character, tonality and shape to my mixes, whether it\u2019s on a drum bus or vocal.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999}]

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Fast and Furious Compression
with Unparalleled Tone

Give Your Drums Muscle and Tightness
The CLA-76’s tight compression sound, based on program-dependent attack and release times, is a natural for drums. With the incendiary ALL ratio mode for extra explosiveness, CLA-76 lets you mix a muscular drum sound that erupts with power.
…And Not Just Drums
One reason the CLA-76 has stood the test of time is versatility. Ease back on the compression, and let the leveling-amp design give consistent, steady compression on vocals, bass, guitar, and keyboards.
Choose from Two ’76 Flavors
With models of two distinct hardware units from mix legend Chris Lord-Alge’s personal collection, you can choose the right tool for the right job. The models have different gain stages, time constants, and harmonic distortion.
Super-Fast Compression, Perfect for Transient-Heavy Sounds
Many compressors aren’t fast enough to handle transients, and generate clicks even with fast attack/release settings. But the CLA-76’s incredibly fast response keeps transients under control—and clicks out of your mix.
Presets Created by Chris Lord-Alge
Get great starting points for your mixes, with over 30 presets prepared by Chris Lord-Alge himself—plus presets by more Grammy-winning producers/mixers such as Greg Wells (Dua Lipa, John Legend).