WARM AUDIO / WA76-D Discrete FET Compressor

The WARM AUDIO/WA76-D faithfully recreates the fastest and most powerful studio compressor known for its ultra-fast dynamic control and rich analog tone. Adding parallel compression, active and true bypass, selectable input impedance, and sidechain flexibility, it perfectly blends vintage analog character with modern workflows.

■ Single-Channel Clean Gain Discrete FET Compressor

The WA76-D faithfully recreates the fastest and most powerful studio compressor known for its wide headroom, ultra-fast dynamic control, and rich analog tone. Using premium components such as CineMag O-12 (input) and 5002 (output) transformers, it delivers 76 Rev-D style compression. Added modern controls (parallel compression, active & true bypass, selectable input impedance, sidechain flexibility) make it 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-D faithfully recreates the vintage 76 ""Revision-D style"" FET studio compressor, with added features to accommodate modern recording workflows. The highly acclaimed ""D-style"" 76 compressor is known for its speed, low noise, and rich analog tone, and the WA76-D offers an ideal balance of vintage circuitry and modern controls. This provides ultimate flexibility without sacrificing the vintage analog character.

■ Key Classic Controls + Bonus Modern Add-ons

The WA76-D offers vintage circuit design and 76-style compression controls (attack, release, ratio, input, output, meter display). Furthermore, it adds stereo linking, dry/wet mix (parallel compression), external sidechain, selectable input impedance, active & true bypass, and a variable sidechain high-pass filter to control the unruly bass that dominates a compressor's attention.

■ Custom CineMag Transformers

Like the vintage 76-style compressor (Revision ""A""?D), the WA76-D utilizes custom, high-capacity CineMag input and output transformers. The transformers in the WA76-D utilize the same specifications and materials as the original vintage design by Reichenbach Engineering, delivering rich analog tone to your signal chain.

■ Premium Components and Precise D-Style Circuitry

The WA76-D 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 circuit without compromise to deliver a ""clean, low-noise"" 76-style compression experience.

■ Hand-Tested in Austin, Texas

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

【Specifications】

■ 100% Analog Discrete FET Compressor

■ Faithful reproduction of the vintage ""Rev-D"" FET compressor with added recording functionality

■ 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

1/4” Stereo Link & External Sidechain Access

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

■ 2U 19-inch Rackmount Chassis

■ CineMag Uses premium USA-made 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)

■ Dimensions: 483 x 90 x 159 mm

■ Weight: 3.65 kg

【Examples of use】

■ Add polish and dynamic control to vocals

■ Ideal for compression of drum room/overhead microphones

■ Perfect for densely packed acoustic guitar rhythms

■Dynamic Control for Heavy Electric Guitars

【Artists, Producers, and Engineers Using 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 first LINK 1 of the first unit to the second 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 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 for the addition of analog color without compression.

ATTACK knob OFF, WET/DRY knob DRY 100%

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