Warm Audio WA76-A

The WA76-A accurately reproduces one of the fastest and most powerful studio compressors of all time known for its extra “grabby” attack, powerful dynamic control, and vintage analog grit. Using premium and custom components like O-12 (input) and 5002 (output) transformers from CineMag, WA76-A achieves authentic 76 “blue stripe”-style compression, known for its gritty preamp stage with unmistakably analog character. Added modern controls to achieve parallel compression, active & true bypass, selectable input impedance, and sidechain flexibility make WA76-A an ideal choice for modern recording workflows that require vintage tone shaping. WA76-A recreates the legendary tone & control of the vintage 76-style compression used in studios by artists like Jack White, The Beatles, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and many more.

FEATURES

• Classic Studio Compression With True Analog Grit: The WA76-A is a faithful recreation of the vintage 76 “blue stripe”-style FET studio compressor with added features to meet modern recording workflows. Recreating the lauded original vintage “Blue Stripe” version of the 76 compressor known for its extra “grabby” fast attack and vintage analog grit, the WA76-A offers the ideal blend of vintage circuitry and modern controls to deliver ultimate flexibility without sacrificing vintage analog character. 

• Critical Classic Controls + Bonus Modern Add-Ons: WA76-A delivers vintage circuit design and all of the traditional 76-style compression controls; attack, release, ratio, input, output, and meter display. In addition to the classic controls expected on a 76-style compressor, WA76-A has added stereo linking, dry/wet mix for parallel compression, external sidechain, selectable input impedance, active & true bypass, and variable sidechain high-pass filter to tackle unruly bass that dominates the compressor’s attention.

• Custom CineMag Transformers: Just like in the vintage 76-style compressors from revision “A” to D”, the WA76-A uses custom large-core, CineMag input & output transformers. The transformers inside the WA76-A use the exact same spec data and materials used by Reichenbach Engineering in the original vintage designs known for delivering vintage analog grit to any signal chain. 

• Premium Components & Accurate Blue Stripe-Style Circuitry: WA76-A uses premium poly film capacitors, carbon resistors, and a vintage-voiced preamp stage. These key components complete a circuit that cuts no corners in delivering an authentic vintage 76-style “blue stripe”-style compression experience. 

• Hand-Tested In Austin, TX: Like all Warm Audio gear, WA76-A is meticulously hand-tested and inspected by trained technicians with a passion for making music in Austin, TX USA.

SPECIFICATIONS

• 100% Analog Discrete FET Compressor

• Faithful Recreation Of The Vintage “Blue Stripe” FET Compressor With Added Recording Features

• VU Meter Options: Gain Reduction | +8dB Output | +4dB Output | “Off” Powers off unit

• 100-230v IEC Inlet Universal Power Supply

• Class-A Line-Level Output Amplifier

• 100% Discrete Audio Signal Path Using 600Ω Input Impedance Attenuator

• Selectable 10kΩ Input Impedance To Better Match Modern Audio Interface Specifications

• 100% Dry-Wet Mix Control

• Variable Sidechain High Pass Filter: 30 - 300Hz, 12dB/Octave 

• ¼” Stereo Link & External Sidechain Access

• Active Bypass For Running Unit As Line Amplifier & True Bypass Option For A/B Comparisons

• 2U 19″ Rackmount Chassis

• Utilizes Premium O-12 Input & 5002 Output Transformers From CineMag USA

• Vintage-Spec Attack & Release: Attack = 20 µS - 800 | Release: 50 mS - 1.1 Second

• “All-Buttons-In” Setting For Experimental & Hard-Limiter Tones

• Frequency Response: ± 1 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz

• Balanced XLR & TRS Inputs & Outputs

• Total Amplifier Gain: 58dB 

• Signal-To-Noise Ratio (SNR): 84dB

• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): -58dB (at -18dBu)