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 original’s 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 doesn’t 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.
Related Videos: WA76-A Vintage-voiced Discrete FET Compressor
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. It’s 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 Audio’s 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 unit’s 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. It’s 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-A’s sidechain insert adds an impressive amount of flexibility to a legendary design.
What can the WA76-A do for you?
At Sweetwater, we're all about performance and value, and that's what the WA76-A gives you. With its fast response time and all-discrete signal path, the WA76-A is your go-to device for everything from subtle dynamics control to full-on brickwall limiting. It's fabulous on bass, kick drum, snare, vocals — you name it. It's a must-have for punchy parallel processing on drums, and if you have two of them, the possibilities become even greater. At this wallet-friendly price, you can double your value and get two without putting a dent in your budget. Or go with the dual-channel version. Either way, you can make that stereo piano sit proudly in a thick track, punch up your drum stem, or strap two channels across your mix bus for some mastering magic and juice your mix with serious slam factor!
Warm Audio WA76-A 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
- 600Ω input impedance attenuator
- Selectable 10kΩ 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: 30–300Hz, 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: 20–800μs
- Release: 50ms to 1s
- VU meter switchable for GR, +8 output, +4 output, and unit off
- Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz (±1dB)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 86dB (A-Weighted)
- Total amplifier gain: 58dB
- Total harmonic distortion: -67dB (at -6dBu)
- 2U, 19-in. rackmount chassis
- Internal 100–230V universal power supply, IEC inlet
- Inspected and hand tested by experienced technicians in Austin, Texas
