WARM AUDIO / WA76-A Discrete FET Compressor

WARM AUDIO/WA76-A faithfully recreates the fastest and most powerful studio compressor known for its ultra-fast dynamic control and vintage analog grit. Add parallel compression, active and true bypass, selectable input impedance, and sidechain flexibility to perfectly blend vintage analog character with modern workflows.

■Single channel vintage voice discrete FET compressor

The WA76-A faithfully recreates the fastest and most powerful studio compressor known for its lightning-fast dynamic control, powerful attack, and vintage analog grit. It uses premium components such as CineMag O-12 (input) and 5002 (output) transformers for vintage 76 ""Bluestripe"" style compression. It has a particularly gritty preamp stage and adds parallel compression, active and true bypass, selectable input impedance, and sidechain functionality necessary for modern recording workflows. The WA76-A recreates the legendary tones and controls used by Jack White, The Beatles, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and more.

[Features]
■Classic studio compression and true analog grit
The WA76-A is a faithful reproduction of the vintage 76 ""Bluestripe"" style FET studio compressor, with additional features for modern recording workflows. The original ""Bluestripe"" version of the 76 compressor, in particular, was praised for its fast attack and vintage analog grit, and the WA76-A exquisitely combines vintage circuitry with modern controls to provide ultimate flexibility without sacrificing its vintage analog character.

■Key classic controls + bonus modern additions
The WA76-A features all the traditional 76-style compression controls (attack, release, ratio, input, output, and meter display). Additionally, the WA76-A has additional features such as stereo link, dry/wet mix for parallel compression, external sidechain, selectable input impedance, active & true bypass, and variable sidechain high-pass filter to better handle bass that draws too much of the compressor's attention.

■Custom CineMag Transformer
Similar to vintage 76-style compressors (Revision “A”?D), the WA76-A uses custom high-capacity CineMag input and output transformers. The transformers within the WA76-A use the same spec data and materials (nickel and steel) as the original vintage design by Reichenbach Engineering, providing vintage analog grit to your signal chain.

■Premium components and precise blue stripe style circuitry
The WA76-A uses premium polyfilm capacitors, carbon resistors, and a vintage voice preamp stage. These key components complete the circuit without compromise to faithfully recreate the original vintage 76 ""Bluestripe"" style compression experience.

■Manual testing in Austin, Texas
Like all Warm Audio products, the WA76-A is painstakingly hand-tested and inspected by Austin, Texas, USA-trained technicians with a passion for music.

[Technical specifications]
■100% analog discrete FET compressor
■Faithful reproduction of vintage “Bluestripe” FET compressor and addition of 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
■10kΩ input impedance can be selected to suit modern audio interface specifications.
■100% dry/wet mix control | Variable side chain high pass filter: 30 - 300Hz, 12dB/octave
■Active bypass (used as line amplifier) ​​and true bypass option (for A/B comparison)
■2U 19 inch rack mount chassis
■CineMag USA made premium O-12 input and 5002 output transformer used
■Vintage spec attack & release: Attack = 20 μS - 800 | Release: 50 mS - 1.1 seconds
■ “All Buttons In” settings (experimental and hard limiter sounds)
■Frequency characteristics: ±1 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz
■Balanced XLR and TRS inputs & outputs
■Total amplifier gain: 58dB
■Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 84dB
■Total distortion rate (THD): -58dB (at -18dBu)
■Size: 483 x 90 x 159 mm
■Weight: 3.65kg

[Example of use]
■Added analog grit and dynamic control to vocals
■Ideal for drum room/overhead mic compression with harmonic overtones
■Perfect for acoustic guitar rhythms with a dense number of tracks
■Electric guitar dynamic control

[Artists, producers, and engineers using original style compression]
Led Zeppelin
Jack White
David Bowie
Chris Stapleton
The Beatles
Chris Lord-Alge

Q. If I use WA76-A/D in a daisy chain connection, how do I connect it?
A. Connect the first LINK 1 and the second LINK 1 with a TS phone cable. LINK 2 is a through terminal used to link side chains of multiple units.

Q. Can the side chain of WA76-D2/A2 be operated by an external signal?
A.No. The 2ch model does not have side chain input/output terminals.

Stereo mode: Compares each channel and operates with the faster attack time of the channel and the slower release time of the channel. The INPUT gain and OUTPUT gain knobs are not linked.

A>B mode: chB also operates with the attack/release time of chA. The INPUT gain and OUTPUT gain knobs are not linked.

AIB mode: works individually (no link)

Q. WA76-D2/A2 only has one RATIO, but can it be set for each channel individually?
A.No. This will be a common control.

Q. Please tell me the difference between the bypass modes.
A.
Turn on the BYPASS switch
→The signal does not pass through the circuit (true bypass), so A/B comparison can be done with a single switch.

Set the ATTACK knob to the OFF position and the WET/DRY knob to WET 100%.
→The signal passes through gain controls and transformers on both the input and output. No compression is applied. Two variable gain stages add analog color without compression.

Set the ATTACK knob to the OFF position and the WET/DRY knob to DRY100%.
→The signal passes through the input gain and transformer only. No compression is applied. Pass the signal through the input gain stage only and add analog color without compression.