Antelope Audio A4-1B

The Future of Analog Gear

A4-1B combines the legendary sound and design of analog Opto-Tube compressor with modern-day workflow enhancements. Experience its signature hardware audio processing or take it a step further by accessing an array of contemporary functionalities.

As authentic as it gets.
A4-1B was designed to preserve vintage Opto-Tube units' highly praised smoothness and musicality. Even when pushed to the limit, the compressor remains transparent, breathing new life into vocal tracks, bass, keys, or percussion. A4-1B sounds and reacts just like the legendary hardware that inspired it allowing you to apply the legendary sound of Opto-Valve compression to your modern production.

Revolutionized Analog Power
High-quality components ensure A4-1B's superior sound and performance consistency across the whole frequency spectrum. Accurate circuit topology meticulously recreates the architecture of the legendary Danish opto-tube design for truly authentic analog compression. This all-analog powerhouse was made to last and faithfully follow the legacy it was built upon.

Custom UK-made transformers
The custom input and output transformers give this compressor a tight, punchy low-end and beautifully detailed highs, adding warmth and character, bringing out rich harmonics without sacrificing clarity.

Hand-picked premium tubes
The signature sound of this unit comes from its premium tubes, giving it a rich, musical character, adding that unmistakable analog warmth while maintaining precision and clarity.

Revolutionized modern PSU
Electricity is the heart and soul of high-end analog gear so we added an efficient, modern PSU with advanced automatic voltage adaptation for greater stability and noise reduction, that also provides DC heating to the tubes for a smoother warm-up

Calibrated to perfection.
Among the many stand-out features of А4-1B are its calibration systems. A built-in Opto-Cell Test System ensures consistent compression and long-term reliability, even after decades of work. This automatic calibration shines the most when two units are used for stereo link or when you recall presets even years later. Choose between -10 dBu / 0 dBu / +4 dBu / +20 dBu for reference level and easily calibrate the VU meter - all accessed through the Calibration menu.

A4 – Antelope Audio Analog Automation

Unlock a game changing potential.
A4-1B is the first in a series of automated outboard analog units developed by Antelope Audio. We want to introduce high-quality audio hardware to the current generation of audio producers and artists. Thanks to our proprietary technologies these units can serve not only as traditional outboard analog gear, but also adapt to the dynamic pace of modern music production with remote control, instant setting recall, automation and more.

Supreme DAW control and automation.
The A4-1B plugin is available in VST3 / AU / AAX formats, compatible with any modern-day DAW and operating system. The unit is easily integrated into fully digital, all-analog, or hybrid studio setups. This intuitive tool makes preset management a breeze so you can apply your signature settings to various projects. Whether you A/B your mix or add a radical automation in the middle of a track - the A4-1B plugin delivers it straight to the hardware.

A new breed of motorized pots.
A4-1B features a ground-breaking proprietary motorized potentiometer engine. This not only solves the biggest downside of all analog hardware – fast preset recall for smoother workflow – but also grants convenient remote access while retaining the tactile experience of operating an outboard gear. The pots on the compressor are extremely responsive - any minor change on the digital panel is reflected immediately on the hardware, and vice versa. Modern engineers want quick, responsive, and accurate gear and that’s exactly what A4-1B achieves thanks to its custom motorized pots.

Responsive Automation
The A4-1B motorized potentiometers will not only instantly react to any change you apply on the hardware unit physically or digitally, those can also be fully automated in the plugin. Attack, Release, Gain, Threshold, and Ratio settings can change throughout your session – just as if you are using a native plugin.

Preset Recall and A/B
The A4-1B plugin allows for fast and easy preset recall but unlike most analog gear, it allows you to do A/B preset comparisons quickly and easily. Hear the change in sound instanteniously. Save unlimited preset files inside your DAW projects for accurate settings recall - the Opto-cell calibration ensures that you get the same compression even after decades of use.

Filtering and De-Essing
By modern-day standards filtering and side-chain are crucial features of compressors. The legacy unit that inspired A4-1B wasn’t built with these requirements in mind so we added them inside the DAW plugin. With High, Low, and Band-Pass Filters you can achieve targeted compression on any frequency range, including De-essing - a crucial feature for anyvocal processing. 

Authentic sound and compression

• 100% purely analog circuit for the audio signal

• High-quality components ensuring superior sonic performance

• Custom-designed UK transformers and high-quality tubes

• Pre-sorted opto-cell for optimal compression precision

• All tube-based push-pull amplifier

• Continuously variable ratio, attack and release time

• Fixed, manual and hybrid timing modes

Modern performance and stability:

• Ensured compression precision over time

• Modern power supply for tube longevity and reduced humming

• Consistent stereo-link performance via calibration system

• VU-meter for monitoring input, compression and output

• Multiple reference levels for metering

A4 – Antelope Audio Analog Automation:

• Remote control via the A4-1B DAW plugin, available in VST3, AAX and AU formats

• Settings instantly applied on hardware via proprietary motorized potentiometers

• Comprehensive file preset system, with option for quick A/B testing

• Automation for attack, release, gain, threshold and ratio via the DAW plugin

• Extended filtering section with low pass, high pass and band pass filtering for side chain signal

• De-essing mode utilizing narrow band pass filter

SPECIFICATIONS

Ratio: 2:1 to 10:1 (continuously variable)
Threshold: off to -40 dBu
Attack: 0.5 ms to 300 ms
Release: 50 ms to 10 s
Gain: off to +30 dB
Maximum output level: +24 dBu
Maximum input level: +24 dBu
Noise level: < -80 dBu
Input impedance: 10 kOhm differential
Output impedance: <60 Ohm
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±1 dB
Power: 95 V/245 V, 50-60 Hz
Operating temperature: 0-50°C, 32-122°F

What's in the Box?

• A4-1B analog compressor

• Power cable

• USB-C to USB-C cable

• Get Started leaflet

• A4-1B Plugin Perpetual License leaflet (only with Complete and Ultimate editions)

A4-1B Dimensions (approx.)
Height: 88 mm (3.47 in)
Width: 483 mm (18.98 in)
Depth: 252 mm (9.92 in)
Weight: 4.4 kg (9.70 lbs)

Box Dimensions (approx.)
Height: 140 mm (5.51 in)
Width: 640 mm (25.20 in)
Depth: 350 mm (13.78 in)
Weight: 6.5 kg (14.33 lbs)

For more information, click here to visit the manufacturers website.