Warm Audio WA76-A2
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
Warm Audio
WA76-A2
Product Info
Article Number:
604177
Brand:
Warm Audio
Model:
WA76-A2
Category:
Compressors, Gates and De-essers
Price:
$1,373.90
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The Warm Audio WA76-A2 is a seriously impressive recreation of a legendary compressor. It nails that aggressive, punchy '70s sound, making it a great choice for drums, vocals, and anything needing some serious attitude. It's a premium-priced tool, but delivers a lot of value for those chasing that classic FET vibe.
Product Description
- Warm Audio WA76-A2
- 2-Channel FET Compressor
- Analogue
- discrete 2-channel FET compressor
- Faithful reproduction of the ‘Blue Stripe’ FET compressor with additional features
- Premium O-12 input and 5002 output transformers from CineMag USA
- 2-Channel operating modes: Stereo Linked
- Primary: Secondary
- Dual-Mono
- VU metre options: Gain Reduction
- +8 dB or +4 dB
- Class-A line-level output amplifier
- Input impedance switchable between 600 Ohm and 10 kOhm
- Dry/wet control for parallel compression
- Variable sidechain high-pass filter: 30 - 300 Hz
- 12 dB/octave
- Active bypass for operation as a line amplifier and true bypass option for A/B comparisons
- Stereo link and external sidechain input
- Attack: 20 µS - 0
- 8 mS
- Release: 50 mS - 1.1 seconds
- ‘All-Buttons-In’ setting for experimental & hard limiter tones
- Frequency response: ± 1 dB 20 Hz - 20
- 000 Hz
- Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 86 dB
- Total harmonic distortion (THD): -64 dB (at -8 dBu)
- Balanced XLR and TRS inputs and outputs
- Dimensions: 483 x 90 x 159 mm
- Weight: 4.8 kg
PROS
- • CineMag output transformers deliver that classic '76 punch and character.
- • Dual-mono operation preserves signal integrity for critical tracking applications.
- • Active bypass provides a clean, usable line amp when compression isn't needed.
- • Variable sidechain filter offers precise tonal shaping for various instruments.
CONS
- • The stepped controls can feel less precise than continuous pots for subtle adjustments.
- • While versatile, it's primarily a FET compressor; lacks the flexibility of some multi-mode units.
- • The 'All Buttons In' setting can be aggressive, requiring careful gain staging.
Product Video
Key Features
Type
Discrete FET Compressor
Channels
2 (Stereo Linked, Primary/Secondary, Dual-Mono)
Controls
Attack (20µS - 0.8ms), Release (50ms - 1.1s), Threshold, Ratio, Gain Reduction, Dry/Wet, Input Impedance (600 Ohm/10kOhm)
Connections
XLR Input/Output, Sidechain Input, Stereo Link Input/Output
Metering
VU Meter (Gain Reduction, +8dB, +4dB selectable)
Weight
25 lbs
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Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a remarkably faithful recreation, capturing the core sonic characteristics. Expect similar aggressive punch and transient shaping, though subtle differences in component tolerances will be present.
The VU meter is calibrated for gain reduction, so it’s a useful visual guide, but it’s always best to listen critically and cross-reference with your monitoring system.
Yes, absolutely, but the WA76-A2 excels at more aggressive settings. Careful threshold and ratio adjustments, along with the sidechain filter, will allow for subtle shaping.
