WARM AUDIO / WA76-D2 Discrete FET Compressor

The WARM AUDIO/WA76-D2 faithfully recreates the fastest and most powerful studio compressor known for its ultra-fast dynamic control and rich analog tone, now in two channels. Modern controls such as parallel compression, active and true bypass, and variable sidechain filtering are added to perfectly blend vintage analog character with a modern workflow.

■ Dual-Channel Clean Gain Discrete FET Compressor

The WA76-D2 faithfully recreates the fastest and most powerful studio compressor known for its wide headroom, ultra-fast dynamic control, and rich analog tone, in two channels. Utilizing premium components such as CineMag O-12 (input) and 5002 (output) transformers, it delivers 76 Rev-D style compression. With a low-noise preamp stage and clear analog character, parallel compression, active and true bypass, and variable sidechain filtering, it's ideal for modern recording workflows requiring vintage tone shaping. It recreates the legendary tone and controls used by Chris Lord-Alge, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, Van Halen, Rick Rubin, Daft Punk, and others.

【Features】

■ Classic Studio Compression and Rich Analog Tone

The WA76-D2 faithfully recreates the vintage '76 ""D-style"" 2-channel FET studio compressor, incorporating additional features to suit modern recording workflows. The highly acclaimed ""D-style"" '76 compressor is known for its speed, low noise, and rich analog tone, and the WA76-D2 offers an ideal balance of vintage circuitry and modern controls. This provides ultimate flexibility without sacrificing vintage analog character.

■ Key Classic Controls + Bonus Modern Features

The WA76-D2 features all the traditional '76-style compression controls (attack, release, ratio, input, output, meter display). Furthermore, the WA76-D2 is a stereo unit with a dry/wet mix for parallel compression, selectable input impedance, active and true bypass, and variable sidechain high-pass filtering, allowing you to control the often-dominant, unsettling bass frequencies that compressors tend to overwhelm.


■ Custom CineMag Transformers

Like the vintage '76-style compressors (Revision “A”?D), the WA76-D2 utilizes custom, high-capacity CineMag input and output transformers. The transformers within the WA76-D2 use the same specifications and materials (nickel and steel) as the original vintage design by Reichenbach Engineering, providing rich analog tone to your signal chain.


■ Premium Components and Precise D-Style Circuitry

The WA76-D2 uses premium ceramic and electrolytic capacitors, metal film resistors, and an improved preamp stage to enhance the linear response of the FETs. These key components complete the circuitry without compromise to deliver a “clean, low-noise” '76-style compression experience.


■ Hand-Tested in Austin, Texas

Like all Warm Audio products, the WA76-D2 is meticulously hand-tested and inspected by trained technicians in Austin, Texas, USA, with a passion for music.


【Specifications】

■ 100% Analog Discrete 2-Channel FET Compressor

■ Faithful Reproduction of Vintage ""Rev-D"" FET Compressor with Added Recording Function

■ VU Meter Options: Gain Reduction | +8dB Output | +4dB Output | ""Off"" (Unit Power Off)

■ 100-230V IEC Input Universal Power Supply

■ Class A Line Level Output Amplifier

■ 100% Discrete Audio Signal Path with 600Ω Input Impedance Attenuator

■ Selectable 10kΩ Input Impedance Optimized for Modern Audio Interface Specifications

■ 100% Dry/Wet Mix Control | Variable Sidechain High-Pass Filter: 30 - 300Hz, 12dB/Octave

■ Active Bypass (Use as Line Amp) and True Bypass Options (For A/B Comparison)

■ Three 2-Channel Operating Modes: Stereo Link | Primary:Secondary | Dual Mono

■ 2U 19-inch Rackmount Chassis

■ Uses premium CineMag USA O-12 input and 5002 output transformers

■ Vintage-spec attack & release: Attack = 20 μS - 800 | Release: 50 mS - 1.1 sec

■ ""All Button In"" setting (experimental and hard limiter sound)

■ Frequency response: ±1 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz

■ Balanced XLR and TRS input & output

■ Total amp gain: 53 dB

■ Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 86 dB

■ Total distortion (THD): -64 dB (at -8 dBu)

【Examples of use】

■ Fast and powerful stereo bus compression

■ Add polish and dynamic control to stereo vocals and background vocals

■ Ideal for compression of stereo drum room/overhead microphones

■ Perfect for densely packed stereo acoustic guitar rhythms

■ Dynamic control for heavy electric guitars

■Dimensions: 483 x 90 x 203 mm

■Weight: 4.81 kg

【Artists, producers, and engineers who use original-style compression】

Missy Elliot

Daft Punk

Timbaland

Rick Rubin

Chris Lord-Alge

Q. How do I connect the WA76-A/D in a daisy-chain configuration?

A. Connect the LINK 1 of the first unit to the LINK 1 of the second unit using a TS phone cable. LINK 2 is a pass-through terminal used when linking the sidechains of multiple units.

Q. Can the sidechain of the WA76-D2/A2 be operated by an external signal?

A. No. The 2-channel model does not have sidechain input/output terminals.

Stereo Mode: Each channel is compared and operates with the attack time of the faster channel and the release time of the slower channel. The INPUT gain and OUTPUT gain knobs are not linked.

A>B Mode: Channel B operates with the attack/release time of channel A. The input and output gain knobs are not linked.

AIB Mode: Independent operation (no linking)

Q. The WA76-D2/A2 only has one RATIO; can I set it individually for each channel?

A. No, it's a shared control.

Q. What are the differences between the bypass modes?

A.

BYPASS switch ON

→ The signal does not pass through the circuit (true bypass). A/B comparison can be done with a single switch.

ATTACK knob OFF, WET/DRY knob WET 100%

→ The signal passes through both input and output gain controls and transformers. No compression is applied. Two variable gain stages allow for the addition of analog color without compression.

Set the ATTACK knob to OFF and the WET/DRY knob to DRY 100%.

→The signal passes only through the input gain and transformer. No compression is applied. You can add analog color without compression by passing the signal only through the input gain stage.