Locomotive Audio 14B

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Locomotive Audio 14B

Locomotive Audio

14B

4.7 Expert Rating

Product Info

Article Number: 612216
Model: 14B
Price: $3,078.90

* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.

The 14B is a beautifully voiced, high-end compressor – it’s not a surgical tool, it’s a character piece. Think vintage consoles, but in a rack unit. If you’re a tracking engineer or mixer seeking that classic, warm glue on vocals, guitars, or bass, this is a serious contender.

Product Description

  • Locomotive Audio 14B
  • 1-Channel Vari-Mu Compressor
  • Tubes: 1x 6BC8
  • 1x 12AY7 and 2x 6V6s
  • Input and output level variably adjustable
  • Attack: 300µs up to 20ms
  • Release: 100ms up to 2 sec
  • Ratio: up to 4:1 in compressor mode and up to 10:1 in limiter mode
  • Stereo link option
  • Sidechain low cut: Off or adjustable from 70 to 350 Hz
  • True bypass
  • Switch off the compression and switch to line amplifier (attack position to OFF)
  • VU meter for gain reduction or output level
  • Input stage with 2 Cinemag transmitters
  • Specially developed output transformer
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20
  • 000 Hz
  • THD+N: <1%
  • Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N): >70 dB
  • Connections: XLR input
  • XLR output and TRS jack link connection
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 482 x 89 x 254 mm
  • Weight: 8 kg
  • Handmade in USA
PROS
  • • Cinemag input transformers deliver a substantial, harmonically rich signal.
  • • The vari-mu design imparts a smooth, musical compression characteristic.
  • • Handmade build quality and robust components ensure long-term reliability.
  • • Line amp function provides a clean, powerful boost for tracking or mixing.
CONS
  • • High-end price point puts it out of reach for many home studios.
  • • Single-channel operation limits its use for stereo buss compression.
  • • Transformer-based design can introduce subtle coloration, not always desired.

Product Video

Key Features

Type Vari-Mu Compressor
Channels 1 (with Stereo Link)
Controls Input/Output Level, Attack (300µs - 20ms), Release (100ms - 2s), Ratio (up to 4:1/10:1), Sidechain Low Cut (Off/70-350Hz)
Connections XLR Input/Output, TRS Link Connection
Metering VU Meter (Gain Reduction/Output Level)
Weight 8 kg

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Frequently Asked Questions

The API 2500 is more aggressive and transparent; the 14B offers a much warmer, more colored compression, leaning towards a vintage tube console vibe.
Yes, the Line Amp retains the 14B's sonic character, providing a clean but colored boost for instruments or a subtle saturation effect.
At 8kg, it's definitely not a grab-and-go unit. It’s best suited for studio environments where portability isn't a primary concern.

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