Modern Incarnation of the Iconic Blue Stripe 76 Compressor

The Warm Audio WA76-A nails the performance, behavior, and vintage analog sound of the renowned Blue Stripe 76 the A revision of the most famous solid-state limiting amplifier ever made. Like the revered classic, the Warm Audio WA76-A features a completely discrete signal path and the same arrangement of controls. And yes it replicates the originals explosive performance when all the ratio buttons are pressed in. But the WA76-A is much more than a clone; its added recording features make it a versatile compressor/limiter for modern studio workflows. Warm Audio doesnt cut corners on components, but they do order parts and build in quantity, which keeps costs down and delivers amazing value. The WA76-A is assembled with top-drawer components, including premium resistors and poly film capacitors as well as custom original-spec, large-core CineMag USA input and output transformers. And like all Warm Audio gear, the WA76-A is rigorously inspected and hand tested by experienced technicians in Austin, Texas.

Fast, masterful dynamics control plus vintage analog character

Coveted for its lightning-fast dynamic control, the lauded 76 is the undisputed king of FET compression. Today, original vintage units are ensconced in world-class studios across the globe. The first revision of this 1970s classic, in particular, was celebrated for its gritty preamp stage and punchy analog sonics. Its this A revision that Warm Audio targeted for the design of the WA76-A. All the original controls are onboard along with additional features that address modern recording workflows. As such, the WA76-A delivers the ultimate combination of vintage circuitry and state-of-the-art controls to provide versatility without impinging on vintage analog character.

Additional controls for modern recording workflows

Things get particularly interesting with Warm Audios control additions. The WA76-A features selectable input impedance, an external sidechain, dry/wet mix blending for parallel compression, active and true bypass, stereo linking, and a variable sidechain highpass filter that eliminates the influence of low frequencies below your dialed-in threshold on compression action. These extra controls are seamlessly integrated without disturbing the elegant simplicity of the vintage units front panel layout.

Sidechain insert adds valuable flexibility

Every dynamics processor has a sidechain circuit that examines the signal and determines how much it will reduce gain but not every unit provides access to its sidechain. In compressors without a separate sidechain input, your main input signal is, essentially, compressing itself. With compressors like the WA76-A, you can insert external processing on the sidechain or introduce a different signal that determines the compression action on the main signal. Its an incredibly useful feature that lets you, for instance, automatically duck a track to make space for another (very popular for that EDM mix pumping effect). Indeed, the WA76-As sidechain insert adds an impressive amount of flexibility to a legendary design.

Features:

• Single-channel vintage-voiced discrete FET compressor/limiter
• Re-creation of the iconic Blue Stripe A-Rev 76 with added recording features
• 100% analog discrete audio circuit path
• 600 input impedance attenuator
• Selectable 10k input impedance to match modern audio interface specs
• Class A line-level output amplifier
• Custom original-spec, large-core CineMag USA input and output transformers
• Premium ceramic and electrolytic capacitors, metal film resistors
• Supports the infamous all-buttons-in ratio setting
• Variable dry/wet blend control for easy parallel processing
• Balanced XLR and TRS inputs and outputs
• Variable sidechain highpass filter: 30300Hz, 12dB/octave
• 1/4-in. stereo link and external sidechain access
• Active bypass for running unit as line amp
• True bypass for instant A/B comparisons
• Vintage-spec attack and release times
• Attack: 20800s
• Release: 50ms to 1s
• VU meter switchable for GR, +8 output, +4 output, and unit off
• Frequency response: 20Hz20kHz (1dB)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 86dB (A-Weighted)
• Total amplifier gain: 58dB
• Total harmonic distortion: -67dB (at -6dBu)
• 2U, 19-in. rackmount chassis
• Internal 100230V universal power supply, IEC inlet
• Inspected and hand tested by experienced technicians in Austin, Texas

Specs

• Type: FET Compressor
• Number of Channels: Single Channel
• Controls: Attack, Release, Dry-Wet Mix, Ratio
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4″ TRS
• Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4″ TRS
• Sidechain I/O: 2 x 1/4″ TRS
• Rack Spaces: 2U
• Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
• Height: 3.5″
• Width: 19″