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For over a decade, Warm Audio has been synonymous with delivering classic-inspired gear that combines exceptional sound quality with unparalleled value. Known for their precise recreations of legendary equipment, Warm Audio’s WA76 compressor has become a studio staple, beloved for its faithful homage to the iconic 1176-style compression.
Now, celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Warm Audio has reimagined the WA76 lineup with the introduction of the all-new WA76-D and WA76-A series compressors. These single- and dual-channel units bring the distinctive characteristics of the “Rev D” and “Blue Stripe” designs into the modern studio, packed with innovative features for today’s recording workflows. Let’s dive into what makes these compressors an exciting update for any engineer or producer.
The WA76-A and WA76-A2 embody the unmistakable vibe of the “Blue Stripe” FET compressors. Known for their fast attack and colorful, vintage analog tone, these units perfectly capture the “grabby” response and harmonically rich compression that defined the originals.
Both models feature custom CineMag USA input and output transformers, built to the same specs as the revered Reichenbach designs used in the classic units. The WA76-A series also incorporates a vintage-voiced preamp stage, premium poly film capacitors, and precision resistors, ensuring authentic sonic performance. Engineers will appreciate their ability to impart warmth and grit to any track, whether it’s vocals, drums, or guitars.
Available in single-channel (WA76-A) and dual-channel (WA76-A2) configurations, these compressors offer flexibility and efficiency, allowing you to harness two “Blue Stripe” channels in a single rack unit. The combination of classic circuitry and modern enhancements makes them a powerful addition to any studio.
For those seeking the transparent, low-noise qualities of the classic “Rev D” design, the WA76-D and WA76-D2 are here to deliver. These units replicate the pristine, clean-gain compression that has made the “Rev D” style a go-to for decades, all while introducing modern improvements for today’s engineers.
Like their “Blue Stripe” counterparts, the WA76-D series utilizes custom CineMag transformers to recreate the iconic analog sound. Enhanced with a revised preamp stage and premium ceramic and electrolytic capacitors, these compressors provide improved linear response, ensuring precise dynamics control across any application.
The WA76-D is available as a single-channel unit, while the WA76-D2 offers two channels of ultra-fast compression, ideal for mixing, tracking, and mastering. Whether you're taming vocals, tightening a bassline, or adding punch to a drum bus, the WA76-D series delivers classic compression with unparalleled versatility.
Both the WA76-A and WA76-D series incorporate a host of modern features that enhance their usability without compromising vintage tone. These include:
With these added controls, the WA76 series offers a perfect blend of vintage character and modern convenience, making them an essential tool for engineers who demand both flexibility and exceptional sound.
For this "Hear The Gear" session, engineer and producer Cody Angel put the Warm Audio WA76-D and WA76-A compressors through their paces across a variety of tracks. Each compressor was tested on specific instruments and the mix bus, with Cody dialing in settings that highlight the unique sonic profiles of the "Rev D" and "Blue Stripe" designs. Below, you'll find a breakdown of the settings Cody used, along with his thoughts on how each compressor performed in real-world applications.
Cody started with subtle compression on the mix bus, with the WA76-A in Stereo mode and the WA76-D in Dual Mono to demonstrate the subtle differences between the two settings. "Both compressors added some glue to the mix, with just enough character to make it shine without overcompressing," he noted.
For the kick drum, Cody employed the classic "Dr. Pepper" setting—attack at 10 o’clock, release at 2, and a 4:1 ratio. “The old Dr. Pepper ad said to have one at ‘10, 2, and 4,’ and some brilliant engineer turned that into one of the most reliable settings for an 1176. It just works!” he shared.
To help keep the low-end from clipping the compressor, Cody engaged the sidechain filter on both units. “The SCF cleaned up the detector beautifully, preventing any pumping from the sub frequencies while still keeping the kick powerful and present,” he noted.
Next, Cody used the WA76 compressors to add some punch to the snare drum. "The WA76’s clean compression smoothed out the transient spikes while maintaining the natural tone of the drum. The wet/dry mix was a game changer here, letting the snare breathe while staying controlled."
For the overheads, Cody applied a moderate amount of compression with a fast attack time and medium-slow release time to help bring focus to the kit. "For this track, I wanted to bring the cymbals forward in the mix without overwhelming the rest of the kit," he said.
The WA76’s clean, transparent qualities shone on the bass track. "I loved how the Rev D kept the low end tight and focused, but the Blue Stripe had a unique growl to it that sounds amazing. Even with fast compression settings, it never felt squashed or muddy," Cody remarked.
On guitars, Cody reached for the WA76 to add warmth and presence. "The Blue Stripe gave the track a vintage vibe, adding just the right amount of saturation and sustain," he shared.
Vocals were a standout application for the WA76, where Cody pushed the compressor to its limits. "Both models handled the high levels of gain reduction beautifully, adding character without losing transparency. The mix knob was especially helpful in maintaining the vocal’s natural dynamics," he explained.
"Warm Audio did a great job of instilling the new WA76-A and WA76-D compressors with the character of the original vintage designs. The Blue Stripe even has a bit more front-end gain, like the old ones. The Rev-D is a classic take on the original—exactly what I'd expect—while the Blue Stripe has that something special that the Rev A models always do.
The addition of Wet/Dry mix controls and sidechain filters make the WA76 Series compressors very powerful for both tracking and mixing applications. I'll probably add the WA76-A2 to my own studio, particularly for the growl it gave the bass and the overall tone imparted to the mix bus at low compression levels."
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