Lindell Audio has officially launched the LiN76 mkII, the follow-up to one of the most popular FET compressors in its price range. If you have been waiting for a reason to add a hardware 76-style compressor to your rack, this update makes the decision considerably easier.
The original LiN76 built a strong reputation over four years for delivering genuine FET compression character without the vintage price tag. This new version is not a cosmetic refresh. Lindell went back into the circuit and addressed real shortcomings, incorporating feedback from engineers who have been using the original in professional environments.
What Changed in the mkII
The most significant update is the compression circuit itself, which has been completely redesigned for lower noise and higher overall performance. Alongside that, Lindell has moved to an internal power supply with a standard IEC cable, eliminating the external wall-wart that came with the original. For anyone running a tidy rack, that alone is worth noting.
The mkII also restores the traditional 76 control orientation for attack and release, where clockwise moves faster and counter-clockwise moves slower. If you have spent time on original UREI or Teletronix hardware, this will feel immediately intuitive.
A rear-panel RCA jack enables stereo linking between two units. Lindell is clear in the documentation that due to the nature of 76-style detector circuits, a third-party balancing box may be required for perfectly matched stereo operation, which is an honest disclosure worth knowing before you pair them up. True bypass has also been added for quick A/B comparisons, and a rear meter calibration pot lets you trim the VU needle to match your operating level, whether you are working at analog or digital reference.
The Circuit Philosophy
Lindell describes the mkII as a composite of the best elements from several revisions of the original 76 hardware. The input section draws from the Rev. G and Rev. D circuits, known for clean gain structure going into the compression stage. The FET used in the gain reduction circuit is taken from the earliest 76 models and selected specifically for its tonal character. The output circuit is modeled after the Rev. A, which adds audible saturation and harmonic content when pushed.
In practice, this means the mkII can cover a wide tonal range depending on how you set the input-to-output relationship. High input with a pulled-back output stays relatively clean and transparent. Lowering the input and pushing the output brings in more grit and transformer colour. That flexibility is what makes a well-designed 76 useful across a session rather than being limited to one application.
All-Buttons-In
Like any proper 76-style compressor, the mkII supports all-buttons-in mode, where all four ratio buttons are engaged simultaneously. This takes the unit well beyond its listed ratios into what is effectively limiting with an altered bias and a more aggressive, plateau-style knee. The character shifts noticeably, becoming punchier on the attack with a pronounced release artifact that works particularly well on room mics and aggressive drum tracks. It is not subtle, and that is the point.
The LiN76 mkII is available now. Visit the product page for full details and pricing.