Full Description
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Iconic compression with vintage character
The WA76-A offers a meticulous recreation of the revered 76 “Blue Stripe” FET compressor, capturing its fast attack, “grabby” feel, and warm analog character. Known for its ability to add punch and grit to any signal, the WA76-A is ideal for handling anything from vocals to drum overheads. Its circuit design replicates the vintage original, down to the custom CineMag transformers, delivering the unmistakable sound engineers have relied on for decades. If you’re looking to add authentic warmth and control to your tracks, this compressor is a studio essential.
Enhanced control for modern workflows
The WA76-A is packed with modern enhancements that elevate its versatility. In addition to the classic compression controls—attack, release, ratio, input, output, and meter display—you’ll find features like a dry/wet mix for parallel compression, stereo linking, and an external sidechain for fine-tuning dynamics. The variable sidechain high-pass filter is a powerful addition, ensuring that low frequencies won’t overwhelm your mix. These thoughtful upgrades make it an excellent choice for producers who want vintage tone without sacrificing flexibility.
Precision-engineered for premium audio performance
At the heart of the WA76-A’s vintage tone is its custom CineMag transformers, designed to match the exact specifications of the original components used in 76-style compressors. Alongside premium poly film capacitors and resistors, these transformers deliver the harmonics and warmth that define the “Blue Stripe” sound. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that your recordings benefit from both vintage authenticity and modern reliability.
Crafted with care in the USA
Every WA76-A compressor undergoes rigorous testing and inspection by Warm Audio’s skilled technicians in Austin, Texas. This hands-on approach ensures each unit meets the highest standards of quality and performance. If you're a professional engineer or a home studio enthusiast, you can trust the WA76-A to deliver consistent, dependable results for years to come.
Features
- Stereo unit featuring dry/wet mix for parallel compression
- Recreates the vintage 76 “blue stripe”-style FET compressor with a perfect mix of analog grit and modern functionality
- Offers traditional 76-style compression controls, including attack, release, ratio, input, output, and meter display
- Includes advanced features like stereo linking, dry/wet mix for parallel compression, external sidechain, variable high-pass filter, selectable input impedance, and active or true bypass
- Uses custom CineMag input and output transformers based on original Reichenbach Engineering designs for authentic analog tone
- Constructed with premium poly film capacitors, resistors, and a vintage-voiced preamp for accurate “blue stripe” compression
- Meticulously hand-tested and inspected by skilled technicians in Austin, TX, USA
Specifications
- VU Meter Options: Gain Reduction | +8dB Output | +4dB Output | “Off” Powers Off Unit
- Power Supply: 100-230v IEC Inlet Universal Power Supply
- Output Amplifier: Class-A Line-Level Output Amplifier
- Audio Signal Path: 100% Discrete Using 600Ω Input Impedance Attenuator
- Input Impedance: Selectable 10kΩ To Better Match Modern Audio Interface Specifications
- Mix Control: 100% Dry-Wet Mix Control
- Sidechain High Pass Filter: Variable 30 - 300Hz, 12dB/Octave
- Stereo Link & External Sidechain Access: ¼” Stereo Link & External Sidechain Access
- Bypass Options: Active Bypass For Running Unit As Line Amplifier & True Bypass Option For A/B Comparisons
- Chassis: 2U 19″ Rackmount Chassis
- Transformers: Utilizes Premium O-12 Input & 5002 Output Transformers From CineMag USA
- Attack & Release: Vintage-Spec Attack & Release: Attack = 20 µS - 800 µS | Release = 50 mS - 1.1 Second
- All-Buttons-In Setting: For Experimental & Hard-Limiter Tones
- Frequency Response: ± 1 dB 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Inputs & Outputs: Balanced XLR & TRS Inputs & Outputs
- Total Amplifier Gain: 58dB
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio (SNR): 86dB (a-weighted)
- Total Harmonic Distortion Ratio (THD+N): -62dB (at -13dBu)
- Product Code: WA76-A