Warm Audio WA76-A2 Overview. Warm Audio’s dual-channel WA76-A2 accurately recreates the legendary 76 Blue Stripe vintage compressor, which engineers and producers like for its gritty preamp stage and warm analog flavor. The original compressor, which has been used by Jack White, The Beatles, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, and many other musicians, is noted for its quick attack, robust dynamic control, and analog saturation. The Warm Audio rackmount unit has four buttons for adjusting compression ratios, ranging from 4:1 to 20:1. It can be overdriven or hard-limited by pressing all buttons simultaneously. The meters can be adjusted from gain reduction to 4 and 8 output levels. Attack and release settings determine compression speed. Warm Audio features an input impedance attenuator, bypass switch, wet/dry mix control for parallel compression, high-pass side-chain filtering, and three dual-channel operating modes for modern workflows. Classic Studio Compression with True Analogue Grit The WA76-A2 is an accurate reproduction of the classic 76 “blue stripe”-style 2-channel FET studio compressor, with additional functionality to accommodate current recording processes. The WA76-A2 recreates the lauded original vintage “Blue Stripe” version of the 76 compressors, which was known for its extra “grabby” fast attack and vintage analog grit. It offers the ideal blend of vintage circuitry and modern controls to deliver ultimate flexibility without sacrificing vintage analog character. Critical Classic Controls with Bonus Modern Add-Ons. WA76-A2 has a classic circuit design and all of the conventional 76-style compression controls, including attack, release, ratio, input, output, and meter display. In addition to the conventional settings anticipated of a 76-style compressor, the WA76-A2 is a stereo device with a dry/wet mix for parallel compression, configurable input impedance, active & true-bypass, and variable sidechain high-pass filtering to combat the compressor’s attention-grabbing bass. Custom CineMag Transformers. The WA76-A2 features bespoke large-core, CineMag input, and output transformers, just like the old 76-style compressors from revisions “A” to “D”. The WA76-A2 transformers employ the same specifications and materials (nickel and steel) as Reichenbach Engineering’s original vintage designs, which are noted for bringing classic analog grit to any signal chain. Premium Components and Accurate Blue Stripe-Style Circuitry The WA76-A2 incorporates superior poly film capacitors, resistors, and a vintage-voiced preamp stage. These critical components comprise a circuit that spares no expense in providing a realistic vintage 76-style “blue stripe” compression sensation. Warm Audio WA76-A2 Compressor Features. Discrete 2-channel FET compressor with 100% analog operation. The vintage “Blue Stripe” FET compressor is faithfully recreated with additional recording features. VU Meter Options: Gain Reduction, 8dB Output, 4dB Output, and “Off” to power off the device. Universal Power Supply with IEC Inlet (100-230v) Class-A line-level output amplifiers. 100% discrete audio signal path with 600Ω input impedance attenuator. Selectable 10kΩ input impedance to match modern audio interface specifications. Dry-Wet Mix Control with Variable Sidechain High Pass Filter (30-300Hz, 12dB/Octave) Active bypass for running the unit as a line amplifier and true bypass for A/B comparisons. Three 2-channel operating modes: Stereo Linked, Primary: Secondary, and Dual-Mono. 2U 19″ Rackmount Chassis. Utilises CineMag USA’s premium O-12 input and 5002 output transformers.
