The WesAudio ng78 is a two-channel FET-style compressor that blends classic vintage tone with modern flexibility, digital recall, and seamless plug-in control. Based around a pure analog signal path, the ng78 delivers classic FET punch with generous headroom, five ratio options (including "all buttons" mode), extended attack settings, and a premium Carnhill transformer output stage, plus useful features like a dedicated mix control, saturation circuit, and sidechain functionality. But it's the digital integrations that truly make the ng78 a next-gen FET compressor: via USB and Ethernet, you can save and recall settings with ease or even control the unit right from your DAW!

NEXT-GENERATION ANALOG FET COMPRESSION

Based on Field Effect Transistor (FET) circuitry, the ng78 recreates the fast, musical behavior of late ’70s compressors while offering improved performance and consistency. The unit responds quickly to transients, offering tighter drums, punchier bass, and natural-sounding vocal control. Use the Input and Output controls to set your overall gain staging, engage the desired Ratio buttons for the character you want, and watch the vintage-style gain reduction meters to monitor your signal in real time. Classic FET snappiness and low-noise operation make the ng78 a go-to choice for engineers who want authentic analog flavor with plenty of control.

EXTENDED ATTACK RANGE

The ng78’s Attack knob gives you fine-grained control over how the compressor reacts to transients, from ultra-fast limiting to smoother dynamic shaping. Slower attack settings let initial transients pass for a more natural, punchy sound, while faster settings catch peaks to prevent clipping or clamp down on the signal for the classic "slammed" effect. Take advantage of this extended range on drums and acoustic instruments where transient detail matters, then adjust Release to complement the envelope of the source and the tempo of the song. From smooth to surgical, the ng78 does it all.

MIX KNOB FOR PARALLEL COMPRESSION

The dedicated Mix control makes parallel compression easy, letting you blend compressed and dry signals without external routing. Dial in heavy compression and saturation for an aggressive sound, then back off the Mix control to restore some of the signal's natural dynamics while retaining that smashed character. Not found on most vintage units, the Mix knob simplifies the classic parallel technique, so you easily can fatten drums, thicken vocals, or glue a mix bus all without taking your eyes off the meters.

VERSATILE COMPRESSION RATIOS

The ng78 offers five Ratio buttons (2:1, 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, and 20:1) that cover everything from gentle leveling to extreme limiting. Plus, you can engage multiple Ratio buttons simultaneously to recreate the classic "all-buttons-in" effect for more dramatic limiting. Lower ratios provide smooth, musical control for vocals and instruments, while higher ratios produce aggressive pumping for rhythmic sources like drum and mix busses.

SATURATION MODE

With Saturation Mode, the ng78 lets you dial in three different types of harmonic color. Low THD adds subtle warmth and beefs up the low end, Mid brings out body and presence, and High gives you gritty harmonics that really stand out. You can thicken up tracks, smash a drum buss for extra bite, or add richness to vocals. And because it's baked right into the compressor's signal path, it interacts with the detector circuitry in a very musical way.

ADVANCED SIDECHAIN EQ

The ng78's handy sidechain circuit gives you precise control over what the detector circuit "hears," including a high-pass filter (HPF) to control low-end build-up on drums and bass and a high shelf to focus on higher frequency content like harsh cymbals or sibilant vocals. This versatile feature is useful in almost every application, from avoiding "pumping" on the mix bus to de-harshing instruments, smoothing out vocal tracks, and even creating unique effects through creative experimentation.

USB AND ETHERNET CONNECTIVITY FOR FULL DIGITAL CONTROL

Although the ng78 maintains a 100% analog audio path, USB and Ethernet integration provide seamless digital control, automation, and recall from your DAW. Connect the ng78 to your studio computer to access a plug-in interface that mirrors the front-panel controls, enjoy instant preset recall, and automate parameters just like a plug-in. Use the digital control to quickly compare settings, recall last week's vocal chain, and take advantage of analog sound while mixing in the box.