The Compressor Heard Around The World
The Universal Audio 1176LN is the compressor that set the benchmark for all compressors to come, with the ability to not only tame widely dynamic signal sources transparently, but also impart unique over-driven and distorted sounds that have defined snare, guitars, and vocals across multiple genres.
Often copied, but never replaced, the Universal Audio 1176LN can work its magic on nearly every sound source you can throw at. The 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier is a modern reproduction of the original UA 11776LN blackface, D and E revisions. Universal Audio made every effort to remain faithful to UA founder Bill Putnam Sr.’s legendary vision and achievement. The original UA 1176LN presented the burgeoning recording industry with a major breakthrough in limiter technology. It was the first true peak limiter with all-transistor circuitry, featuring ultra fast attack times of 200 to 800 microseconds. A staple of any and every serious recording studio, the UA 1176LN blackface has been heard on recordings for nearly 50 years by what amounts to a who’s who of artists, such as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Michael Jackson, and producers, including Tony Maserati, Bob Marlette, Joe Chiccarelli, and master mixer, Michael Brauer (Mr. Compression).
Universal Audio 1176LN Classic limiting Amplifier in one take:
FET-Style compressor with custom transformers and Class A output transformer
Modeled after 1176LN, blackface, D and E revisions
Design, manufacturing, and performance remains true to the original 1176LN
Class A line-level output amplifier
Custom output transformer designed by Bill Putnam
Stereo linking operation
Ultra-fast 20 to 800 microsecond attack time
Hand-built in USA; backed by 1-Year limited warranty
Rebirth of a Legend
Based on the original circuit schematics and extensive design notes (which weren’t too hard to come by when your dad is the designer), the blackface 1176LN was the first product of the 1999 relaunch of Universal Audio by the son of the legend, Bill Putnam Jr. Incorporating the C, D, and E revisions of the classic 1176, special attention was paid to the manufacture of the output transformer, which is critical to recreating the sound of the original. The transformer features extra windings that sent a feedback signal to the final line output amplifier circuit.
All-button mode
The 1176 has four push-buttons to select a fixed compression ratio of 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, and 20:1. Naturally, someone had to see what happened if someone pressed all four buttons at the same time (usually an engineer’s trick for knowing before the fact, just how much damage wandering fingers could do to bring a session screeching to a halt) The all-button mode, also known as British mode, became a studio insider’s trick. Though not an intentional feature at first, all-button mode allowed the 1176 to make a sound unlike any other compressor, including an explosive sound on snare and drum room mics, adding fuzz-like distortion to bass and guitars, or making a rock vocal aggressive enough to come front and center in a mix.
Since the all-button mode had become a signature sound of the original 1176, UA studied the response to ensure that the new release had precisely the same characteristics, which is an increase in distortion with a plateaued slope and a lag time in response to initial transients.
Meticulously crafted by UA engineers
All 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifiers are hand-wired and tested by a carefully trained staff Each unit must meet Bill Putnam Jr.’s uncompromising standards before it leaves the factory. Universal Audio’s Classic version of the 1176LN captures all the nuance of the original delivering its trademark sound, thanks to Universal Audio’s obsessive attention to detail.
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