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Compressor

1176 Collection

Universal Audio

Where to get itAvailable from Universal Audiouaudio.com

The 1176 Classic Limiter Collection is a bundle of three meticulously modeled FET compressor plug-ins representing over 40 years of 1176 design evolution: the Rev A "Bluestripe" (original Putnam design with higher distortion), the Rev E "Blackface" (early '70s low-noise variant with linear compression response), and the 1176AE 40th Anniversary Edition (with exclusive mods including 2:1 compression ratio). This collection captures the entire electronic signal path—transformers, amplifiers, and nonlinear distortion—enabling both transparent limiting and colored, overdriven textures that have defined countless classic recordings.

Written from the manual and checked against it. How we check

Key Features

01Three 1176 revisions: Rev A, Rev E, and AE with unique sonic characteristics
02Ultra-fast 20 microsecond FET gain reduction
03Attack range: 20 to 800 microseconds; Release range: 50 to 1100 milliseconds
04Ratio modes: 20:1, 12:1, 8:1, 4:1 (Rev A and E); 20:1, 8:1, 4:1, 2:1 (AE)
05Multi-button compression modes including All-Button (British Mode) for increased distortion
06Parallel Dry/Wet Mix control for blend of processed and unprocessed signal
07Custom linear tilt Sidechain Filter to reduce low-frequency pumping
08Headroom control (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or 28 dB) to adjust internal operating level
09Selectable VU Meter modes: Gain Reduction (GR), +8, +4 output level display

Things to Try

  • 01Turn Attack and Release to their fastest settings simultaneously to add compression distortion; this effect is especially pronounced in All-Button mode and useful on bass or screaming lead vocals
  • 02Use All-Button mode on drums, ambience mics, bass, or guitar to create a dirty, overdriven tone with radically increased distortion
  • 03Toggle the Sidechain Filter by clicking the "/" symbol beneath the Release knob to reduce low-frequency pumping on bass-heavy sources
  • 04On Rev A and Rev E models, move Attack to OFF to add 1176 color through active I/O amplifiers without any dynamics processing
Formats
VSTAUAAX
Official Website↗User Manual↗

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1176 Collection by Universal Audio | Plugin Library