Wes Audio have launched the ng76, a fully analogue FET compressor with the added convenience of digital control and full recall of settings between sessions. An analogue compressor based on the iconic 1176, the ng76 allows recall of settings and direct control of parameters from DAWs.
Analogue FET Compression
The compressor is based on Wes Audio’s own Beta76 design (reviewed in SOS Jan 2013), uses Carnhill input and output transformers and offers 24dBu of headroom. Among the unit’s standard features are the compression controls for input and output level, attack and release, four ratio settings from 4:1 to 20:1, a mix knob for parallel compression and A/B switches for comparing settings.
The ng76 also features Saturation Mode, a special mode where static compression is triggered to produce sonics based on the FET circuit. The user can also select between Modern (electronically balanced) and Vintage (transformer balanced) input modes which Wes Audio say replicate the F and G revisions of the 1176. The ng76 also houses a sophisticated side-chain EQ with independent high-pass filter and high shelf sections.
Two mono units can be linked together to operate in stereo.
Digital Control
Connected via USB or Ethernet, all the parameters found on the unit can be digitally managed with dedicated software. VST2/VST3/AU/AAX/AAX DSP formats of the plug-in are available to integrate with all the major DAWs, allowing precise control of the analogue audio processing, automation of controlled parameters and recall of settings between sessions.
The ng76 is available from Wes Audio as a single mono unit or in stereo matched pairs. And as two units along with their parameters can be linked together using the dedicated software, a matched pair of ng76 compressors will function as a stereo unit.
Pricing & Availability
The Wes Audio ng76 is available now priced at €1299$1399.
