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Warm Audio WA76 Discrete FET Compressor

Class A FET Line-level Limiting Amplifier with All Solid-state Circuitry and Cinemag Transformers
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Amazing Re-creation of a Classic

Warm Audio's WA76 set its target high: the most iconic solid-state limiting amplifier in history. How does Warm do it? Through economies of scale, mostly. They don't cut corners on components (the WA76 employs genuine US-made Cinemag transformers), but they do order parts and build in quantity, which keeps costs down. Like the original classic unit, the WA76 gives you 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. Elevate your studio to the next level with the Warm Audio WA76.

What can the WA76 do for you?

Every studio needs a good limiter, and the Warm Audio WA76 is designed after the mother of all limiters. With its lightning-fast response time and pristine, all-discrete signal path, the WA76 is your go-to device for everything from subtle, transparent 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.

Top-tier performance — and a stunning value

At Sweetwater, we're all about performance and value, and that's what the WA76 gives you. At this amazing price, you can double your value and get two. With a pair of these in your rack, you can make that stereo piano sit proudly in a thick track, punch up your drums, strap a stereo pair across your stereo bus for some mastering magic, and juice your mix with serious slam factor.

Warm Audio WA76 Limiting Amplifier Features:

  • Class A line-level output amplifier
  • Inspired by the sought-after D revision of the iconic solid-state limiting amplifier
  • Completely discrete signal path
  • Utilizes US-made Cinemag input and output transformers
  • Supports the famous all-buttons-in ratio setting
  • Ultra-fast attack time; 55db of gain
  • Input impedance is 600 ohms, bridges-T control (floating)
  • 20Hz–20kHz (±1dB) frequency response
  • XLR and TRS inputs and outputs
  • Less than 0.4% total harmonic distortion from 50Hz–20kHz with limiting
  • Signal to noise ratio is greater than 74dB at +25dBm
  • Equivalent input noise (EIN) is -104.1dBm
  • Attack time is 20 microseconds to 800 microseconds
  • Release time is 50 milliseconds to 1 second
  • Meter provides dB gain reduction and dB output
  • 2U, 19" rackmount chassis
  • 1-year warranty

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Tech Specs

  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Controls: Input, Output, Attack, Release, Ratio (Buttons)
  • Ratio: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4" TRS
  • Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4" TRS
  • Rack Spaces: 2U
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 3.5"
  • Width: 19"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: WA76

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Even better than expected!

First, this unit is exceptionally well built. No rough edges, rattles, dicey buttons, or any flaws in finishes or hardware function. As to the sound of the device, it exceeds my expectations. My previous experiences with very fast analog limiters is that they have to be carefully set to avoid sounding harsh or choppy. The WA76 is far less fussy than that. It sounds very good as a pass through device with a bit of transformer flavor, and it sounds very, very good with any sane setting of the controls.
But about that "sane" thing… the all-buttons-in setting is not at all sane. I have used it to crush a room mic on drums or a guitar amp. When you dial a tasty amount of the crushed mic in with the clean signal, it adds life and apparent level without adding appreciable actual level. If I was recording a band seeking a loud, punkish sound, I would use the "all buttons" setting as the main source on a lot of tracks.
Music background: Retired mastering engineer, mediocre drummer and singer
Rated 5/5

Amazing compressor !!!

I acquired my WA76 a couple of months ago, and I'm very pleased with the results I've gotten with it in my recordings. I mainly use it to record male HipHop vocals and it makes them sound amazing. There's simply no doubt the Warm Audio team has done an excellent job. If you have the opportunity to purchase one, go for it; you won't regret it; you'll actually ask yourselves why you didn't get one sooner.
Rated 5/5

Love this compressor!

I have used this on lead vocal and bass, guitar so far and I really love the way it works. It's almost transparent in it's ability to tame levels depending on how you set it. You can set it pretty aggressive and still not really hear it working other than the fact that it really fattens up the sound. Lately I have been using it on vocals running through the Warm Audio Tonebeast into the Warm Audio EQ and finally through the WA-76.The Tonebeast really has a lot of gain and I have been using an SM7b for the mic on vocals.
I've been in the studio business for over 40 years and this Warm Audio stuff is just great!
Rated 5/5

Warm Audio WA76 Excellent Compressor!

This is a great compressor. It reacts fast and clean or you can push the input for some grit. It's been awhile since I've used a real 1176 so I had to go back through some old recordings and listen to kick, snare, bass etc to remember what a real one sounds like. I have used the purple MC77 quite a bit recently, so that was my current reference. Depending on your setup, (mic pres, eq, etc), try it in a bunch of different spots. I've tried in inserts and in series with pres and other compressors and it works great.
The current clone chain that works really nicely, wa 273eq>WA76>WA2A (for the warmth).
Yep, it's looks as though I've taken a drink from the Austin Kool-aid!!
Music background: A whole bunch of stuff!!
Rated 4.5/5

Great Swiss Army knife Comp

I really like my Warm Audio WA-76.
It works great with pretty much any source material.
I use it to subtly tame vocal, smash room mics, tame bass, ects.
It's a great tool to have in the studio.
Definitely recommend it.
Music background: Audio Engineer, Producer

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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Nick Pasquino

As versatile as they come. Whether you want an easy, transparent compression, or heavy-handed gain reduction, the WA76 is a great piece of gear to have in your studio.

Jeff Figueroa

As an audio engineer for the nearly 6 years, I've used many compressors in both digital and analog mediums. The WA76 has become a staple in my vocal chain that I use for every session. Running a studio in NYC on a budget is hard enough, and this was a fantastic addition to my rack.
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