WARM AUDIO / WA76-A2 Discrete FET Compressor

The WARM AUDIO/WA76-A2 faithfully recreates the fastest and most powerful studio compressor known for its ultra-fast dynamic control and vintage analog grid, in a two-channel design. Adding parallel compression, active and true bypass, selectable input impedance, and sidechain flexibility, it perfectly blends vintage analog character with a modern workflow.

■ Dual-Channel Vintage Voice Discrete FET Compressor

The WA76-A2 faithfully recreates the fastest and most powerful studio compressor known for its ultra-fast dynamic control, powerful attack, and vintage analog grid, in a 2-channel design. Using premium components such as CineMag O-12 (input) and 5002 (output) transformers, it delivers vintage '76 ""Blue Stripe"" style compression. It features a particularly gritty preamp stage and adds parallel compression, active and true bypass, selectable input impedance, and sidechain functionality required for modern recording workflows. The WA76-A2 recreates the legendary tone and control used by Jack White, The Beatles, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and others.

【Features】

■ Classic Studio Compression and True Analog Grid

The WA76-A2 faithfully recreates a vintage '76 ""Blue Stripe"" style 2-channel FET studio compressor with added features to suit modern recording workflows. In particular, the original ""Blue Stripe"" version of the 76 compressor was highly regarded for its ultra-fast attack and vintage analog grid, and the WA76-A2 exquisitely combines vintage circuitry with modern controls to provide ultimate flexibility without sacrificing vintage analog character.

■Key Classic Controls + Bonus Modern Add-ons

The WA76-A2 features all the traditional 76-style compression controls (attack, release, ratio, input, output, meter display). Furthermore, the WA76-A2 is a stereo unit with additional features such as a dry/wet mix for parallel compression, selectable input impedance, active & true bypass, and a variable sidechain high-pass filter, allowing for better handling of the compressor's attention-grabbing bass.

■Custom CineMag Transformers

Like the vintage 76-style compressor (Revision “A”?D), the WA76-A2 utilizes custom, high-capacity CineMag input and output transformers. The transformers in the WA76-A2 utilize the same specifications and materials (nickel and steel) as the original vintage design by Reichenbach Engineering, providing a vintage analog grid to your signal chain.

■ Premium Components and Accurate Blue Stripe Style Circuitry

The WA76-A2 uses premium polyfilm capacitors, carbon resistors, and a vintage voice preamp stage. These key components complete the circuitry without compromise to faithfully reproduce the original vintage '76 ""Blue Stripe"" style compression experience.

■ Hand-Tested in Austin, Texas

Like all Warm Audio products, the WA76-A2 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 ""Blue Stripe"" 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: 58 dB

■ Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 84 dB

■ Total distortion (THD): -58 dB (-18 dBu)

■ Dimensions: 483 x 90 x 203 mm

■ Weight: 4.81 kg

【Examples of use】

■ Stereo bus compression with added analog grid

■ Adds a vintage feel to stereo vocals or background vocals

■ Ideal for drum room/overhead microphone compression with vintage analog tone

■ Dynamic control that gives heavy electric guitars a vintage analog feel

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

Led Zeppelin

Jack White

David Bowie

Chris Stapleton

The Beatles

Chris Lord-Alge

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

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

Q. Can the WA76-D2/A2 sidechain be operated with 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 gain and OUTPUT gain knobs are not linked.

AIB Mode: Operates independently (no link)

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

A. No. It's a common 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 the input and output gain controls and transformer. No compression is applied. Two variable gain stages allow you to add 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.