Just about 25 years ago, you needed a room full of expensive hardwares to be able to
produce music.
Nowadays, modern technologies allow us to have all of that expensive equipment in the
form of software that is very similar to the original.
The 1176 compressor is one of the hardware components that have been emulated.
The compressor is without a doubt one of the most well-known compressor designs of all
time.
It was famous for its quick response times as well as the harmonic distortion and the
unique analog flavor it could add to any signal.
There were several revisions, each with its own spin on the same basic sound.
The sound of the 1176 has come a long way in digital audio, and there are so many 1176
plug-ins available on the market today.
I’ll be showing you the best ones in this video but first let’s get a few plugs out
of the way.
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Now let’s take a look at the first plugin.
The majority of Slate Digital plugins are recreations of vintage analog hardware in
one way or the other.
It's not surprising that they didn't forget about the 1176.
The FG-116 is a set of two compressors, each with two separate circuit recreations, giving
you not one, but four analog compressor models.
This plugin sounds as gentle and subtle as all Slate Digital plugins, with very smooth
saturation.
The vintage circuit could be driven hard if that's what you're after.
Using different circuits results in distinct flavors for the plugin.
In terms of features, it accurately models the original units' controls as well as their
sonic behavior.
It also has a mix knob, which allows you to use parallel compression.
A hi-pass button allows you to leave the bottom end of a signal uncompressed.
The modern FET, which is another circuit emulation, is so subtle that Steven Slate recommends
using it on the mix bus.
When you first open the Comp76 v2, you will see one of the compressors matching the hardware
unit's functionalities, including the well-known All ratio mode.
However, a section below the compressors adds several more drastic features to the plugin.
Let's start with the mid/side mode toggle switch, which adds another compressor to the
GUI for convenience.
This feature, which was not available in the original hardware, allows you to add compression
to your audio's mono and stereo information separately.
Also, there's the Parallel knob, which acts as a mix knob to create a parallel compression
effect.
The third is the LF Sens knob, which controls the compressor's low-frequency sensitivity.
The Urei 1176 underwent several revisions, each of which improved the hardware's sound
quality.
As a result, in Comp76 v2, the first knob on the lower section labeled "REV."
allows you to select different hardware unit revisions.
The first version, 'A,' is the original and has the warmest sound with a high noise floor.
The 'D(LN)' is the newer black version with a cleaner sound.
Similarly, the third, labeled 'F,' is the most recent revision of the hardware, boasting
the most transparent and clean sound.
Comp76, like the hardware unit, has super-fast attack times ranging from 20 to 800 microseconds.
Because of this, the compressor is capable of capturing the quickest transients in your
audio.
However, it does not limit the use of this plugin to only percussive sounds.
Universal Audio's 1176 collections are available in three different editions: Rev. A., Rev.
E., and AE.
This means that the bundle includes the classic Blackface, Blue Stripe, and LN models.
Every element of the circuitry from the analog units was carefully recreated in the digital
realm, as with all of the best 1176 emulations.
Transistors and harmonic distortion are examples of this.
It has attack times ranging from 20 to 800 milliseconds.
Each model includes the legendary "All Buttons In" mode as well as the "No Ratio" mode, which
adds pleasing analog distortion without compression.
Presets from renowned mix engineers are also included to help you quickly get in the ballpark
of their settings.
The only drawback is that it requires UA hardware to function, but given the company's illustrious
history, this may be well worth the investment for you.
VC 76 is a high-quality faithful emulation of the original 1176LN.
It has all of the original's features, including a so-called British mode in which all of the
ratios can be selected at the same time.
This mode can colorize a signal without compressing it or enhance a compressed signal.
There are several compression options available on the VC 76 plugin.
You can easily tame the transients of otherwise punchy vocal lines or give the drums some
extra punch.
Regardless of the compression settings, you'll always get a noticeable sound coloration,
which makes it brighter and cleaner.
VC 76 has a few tricks of its own, in addition to original features.
There are several features that were not available on the original hardware unit that can be
considered an improvement.
It has a side-chain input functionality that allows the plugin to compress the signal with
input from another audio source, allowing for very creative use of this compressor.
It also has dry/wet controls, making it a versatile parallel compressor.
Smasher is an innovative custom modification of the classic Urei 1176 compressor circuit,
a one-of-a-kind formula discovered while fine-tuning other algorithms.
The original 1176 compressor hardware provided four ratio options, but studio engineers quickly
discovered that pressing all four at once resulted in a distorted, explosive, and highly
compressed sound.
Smasher was meticulously designed to recreate this "All buttons in" or "British" mode.
The modifications that are built into Smasher will add definition to transients and make
your tone more aggressive while remaining very close to the original circuitry.
You will enjoy using it to enhance the ambience in drum busses, but there are numerous other
creative applications.
Smasher won't work on every track, but when it does, it works like a charm.
The plugin’s raw and gritty sound is reminiscent of Vulfpeck, The Whitefield Brothers, and
The Black Keys.
In terms of the best 1176 plug-ins, the Arturia Comp FET-76 is one of the best combinations
of quality and price you're likely to find.
It accurately models the hardware's signal path using TAE analogue modeling.
This takes into account the performance of electronic components such as transformers,
transistors, and FETs.
With a handy Link button between the input and output stages, you can quickly dial in
compression that is gain-staged to unity volume.
It also has a Mix knob for parallel compression without the need for additional routing and
simple side-chain options.
The most innovative feature, however, is a variable Pre-delay that manipulates the signal
envelope in novel and interesting ways.
The "back" of the unit includes controls such as EQ, compression range, and detection mode.
Based on the Urei 1176LN unit, the Black 76 offers authentic sound and lightning-fast
reactions.
When we say lightning-fast, we mean it - this plugin literally works in microseconds (20
to 800us), making it an excellent choice for percussive
instruments.
However, its aggressive sound also favors just about anything you throw at it,
such as vocals, basslines, lead synths, guitars, etc.