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The Real Sound of Vari-Mu Tube

Compression at Your Fingertips

Just like its popular vintage inspirations, the Gates Sta-Level, UA 175B, RCA BA-6A and Collins 26U, the results are a sound that cannot be replicated with any other method of gain reduction.

The Locomotive Audio 14B delivers!

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TRANSFORMERS

Super premium 

MuMetal shielded 

input and interstage transformers

SPEED & TONE

Fast UA 175B attack meets smooth Gates Sta-Level Output

LOW CUT FILTER

Adjust & cut the low frequencies that trigger compression

STEREO LINK

Use the 14B aggressively on your stereo room mics and overheads or gently on your mix bus

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Select Your Build Type

The Locomotive Audio 14B Compressor is now available in two build options:

14B-HW

ORIGINAL HANDWIRED

Authentic to the design aesthetic of classic vintage vari-mu and optical compressors of the 1940s − 1960s, the Locomotive Audio 14B-HW (Handwired) is built with the same labor intensive care and attention to detail. Every wire and component is selected and soldered by hand, ensuring each unit is special. Adding this artistic centerpiece to your rack is truly inspiring.

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$3,199

New 14B-HW Orders:

Ships within 10 business days of order

14B-PCB

PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD

Smart layout design gives the Locomotive Audio 14B-PCB (Printed Circuit Board) version the same superior sonic result as the Handwired version, but instead, with a more efficient build process. Using the same components and audio path as the Handwired version, the resulting specifications and performance are identical. We are happy to finally offer this lower cost option.

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$1,999

New 14B-PCB Orders:

Ships within 3-5 business days of order

We sell direct to consumer in the United States and Canada. Please see our International Dealer List or Contact us if you don't have a dealer in your country.

 
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CUSTOMER REVIEWS

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BP

14B my go-to vocal-compressor

The 14B makes the vocal-track sit perfectly in the mix. I often get questions on how I get the lead-vocal to be both punchy and warm, and more often than not the answer is the Locomotive 14B. It has a beautiful top-end and lots of attitude. And it doesn’t kill the dynamics like many of the compressor-plugins does. Also Eric is one of the nicest persons in the business. He really cares about the customer and about the products he makes. Highly recommended!!

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Anonymous

14B or not to be!

This vari-mu compressor is exactly what I was looking for, a mix of vintage vibes with modern features. It's character is classy, distinctive, colorful and smooth. The perfect companion for any studio environment.

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Gerhard Buchbauer

14B adds sparkle to your tracks!

When the 14B was finally available we had to have one for testing and ordered a matched pair right after! These units are super fast and wonderfully smooth, adding that kind of sparkle that makes you forget about touching gear again you've used years before. Thank you Eric for keeping the analog world of gear alive!

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Paul S

The Stellar 14B!

The 14B completed my collection of high end compressors (Retro, Chandler, ADL, Thermionic Culture, Fearn, AnalogueTube etc). After adding it back in 2014 I haven’t felt the need to buy anything new. The 14B has it’s unique sound. It has a certain sparkle and that ’something’. Thanks Eric for a gorgeous tool! Gorgeeous in every aspect; Sound, looks and tactile feeling.

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Mats Sweden

Locomotive 14B - Fantastic!

I was looking for a vari-mu compressor for a long time, but when I got in touch with Eric and Locomotive Audio I became really interested. I bought a piece of Locomotive 14B and was surprised by the quality and the compressor's capabilities. I used it for everything, tracking and mix, bass, vocals, guitars, brass, wind instruments, violin, analog synths like ARP 2600, Minimoog, Yamaha CS 80, Oberheim Xpander etc. Yes, it sounded wonderful! It did not take long time before I ordered another piece so I could work in stereo with strings, marimba, vibraphone, koto, etc. So now I also use 14B on bus, master but also to color instruments without compression. I really love Eric and his products, philosophy and highly recommend them! Now I'm waiting for a tube EQ from Eric ... That would be great! ??
Congratulations Eric for a well-made and nice product!

14B Tape Op Review

“The 14B had a silky smoothness that made us all start high-fiving one another. I can honestly say the 14B saved the album.”

Read The Review

14B Sound On Sound Review

“If I were granted a wish to improve the hardware design of the 14B I’d leave it exactly as it is!”

Read The Review

LIFETIME WARRANTY

As an audio engineer, we know you want to use the best tools to shape your sound. And if you are going to spend money on gear, you deserve hardware that's always in tip-top shape. You shouldn't have to worry about when something goes wrong. Rest assured, we guarantee the gear we build by backing it with a lifetime warranty.

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