Pedal76

All-Analog Transformer-Balanced FET Compressor Pedal
(UREI 1176)

Pedal76 accurately reproduces one of the fastest and most powerful studio compressors of all time known for ultra-responsive dynamic control with rich analog tone. Using premium and custom components spec’d to duplicate the professional performance and tone of studio units, Pedal76 achieves authentic 76-style FET compression. Added grit from the FET, the rich character of the transformer, and critical gig-ready controls make Pedal76 an ideal choice for recreating timeless studio sound on stage. Pedal76 recreates the legendary tone & control of the vintage 76-style compression used in studios by artists like Jack White, John Mayer, Foo Fighters, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin and many more. 

Classic Studio Compression Recreated For The Stage: Like the original 76-style FET studio compressor that has been used on countless guitar, bass & keyboard recordings, Pedal76 controls dynamics without squashing character. Added harmonic depth from the FET circuit and rich tone preservation from the custom transformer blend perfectly to recreate the ultimate compressor for guitar and bass players who demand pristine studio sound on stage. 

Critical Studio Compressor Controls: Like studio compressors, Pedal76 has Attack & Release, Ratio, and Input controls, critical for taming unwanted changes in volume on stage. Attack and release govern when the compression acts. Ratio determines the “strength” of compression against the raw signal. Input determines how much raw signal to feed into the compression circuit, and output acts as a makeup gain/master volume to make sure Pedal76 plays nice with your rig, or provides additional boost as needed.

Premium Components & Build From 76-Style Compression Experts: Pedal76 uses premium and custom components to achieve authentic 76-style FET compression. The custom CineMag transformer is spec’d to duplicate the professional performance and tone of studio units in a pedalboard-friendly format. Premium capacitors, resistors, and transistors round out a circuit that cuts no corners in delivering an authentic studio experience on stage. 

Added Features Optimized For Live Performance: Pedal76 features an external switch for true and buffered bypass operation, ensuring the compressor plays nice in your rig. Switches for input sensitivity, ground/lift, pad engagement and high/low gain modes (both for DI operation) provide added utility at gigs or in the studio. The separate balanced (DI) out also sends proper signal to the mixer or live recording rig, with the high gain mode adding grit and rich transformer tone.  

A History Of Building Premium 76-Style Compressors: Warm Audio has been building a premium 76-style studio compressor, the WA76, for over 10 years. Having shipped over 20,000 studio units worldwide, Warm Audio brings expertise in building this circuit and knowing what drives the sought-after tone of the most prized vintage 76-style compressors. Just like in the renowned studio WA76, Warm Audio includes custom CineMag transformers and premium components to deliver studio compression on your pedalboard.

Hand-Tested In Austin, TX: Like all Warm Audio gear, the Pedal76 is meticulously hand-tested and inspected by trained technicians with a passion for making music in Austin, TX USA.

RATIO: The ratio knob runs from “4” (4:1) to “20” (20:1) going from less to more compression. For example, 4:1 means a 4 dB increase in input results in a 1 dB increase in output, and 8:1 means an 8 dB increase in input results in a 1 dB output increase. Higher ratios also slightly raise the compression threshold, so at 20:1, more of the signal remains uncompressed while transients above the higher threshold are heavily compressed. At ratios of 12:1 or 20:1, Pedal76 acts more as a limiter than a compressor.

ATTACK: The Attack knob sets the amount of time it takes the Pedal76 to respond to an incoming signal level and begin compressing. Pedal76 is a “fast” compressor, so much so that increasing attack speed can control the dynamics to the point of perfectly even signal level, regardless of playing style. The Pedal76 attack time is adjustable from 20 microseconds to 800 microseconds.

RELEASE: The release control sets the time it takes for Pedal76 to return to its uncompressed level, adjustable from 50 to 1100 milliseconds. A fast release can cause “pumping” and “breathing” due to rapid noise rise during gain restoration. A slow release can make a loud signal slowly become quiet, making the performance sound more dynamic.

OUTPUT: This determines the final output level of the signal leaving the Pedal76. Once the desired amount of limiting or compression is achieved with the use of the Input control, the Output control can be used to make up any gain lost from the gain reduction.