Mono solid state compressor/limiter, using FET gain reduction. Stereo linkable with 1176SA. Designed by Bill Putnam in the late 1960s, the 1176 evolved from the Universal Audio 175 and 176 vacuum tube limiters. Universal Audio claim it was the first true peak limiter with all transistor circuitry, and as the modified 1176LN (low noise) version it went on to become an absolute classic. Few serious studios have been without one since the early 1970s.

Michael Jackson never uses anything else apparently, so if you want to sound like a hyperactive elf duetting with a cat coughing up a hairball now you know how. Uncluttered appearance has hardly changed through thirteen circuit design tweaks, apart from a change from black to silver front panel for later models. D and E series units seem to shade it for the real connoisseur, but all series have a family resemblance in sound. Now also very accurately reissued.


Description : mono
Principle : solid state
Metering : VU
Connections : chassis barrier strip, stereo linking capabilities
Controls : input, output, attack, release, ratio, meter fuction, limiting on/off, gain reduction
Performance :
freq gain: 20-20,000 Hz
distortion: