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Customer Reviews 22 Reviews

4.91 out of 5 stars

by P. Stephan (11/5/2013):

This Channel Strip is amazing! Its extremely versatile and sounds incredible. I was able to ach ... Read more

20 Reviews
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Overview

6176 Vintage Channel Strip

A Classic Tube Microphone Preamp and 1176-Style Compressor in a Single Unit.

The 6176 Vintage Channel Strip combines the alluring, all-tube sounds of the legendary Bill Putnam-designed 610 microphone preamp, with the signature FET compression of our 1176LN, to create the ultimate recording channel strip. The warm, smooth tones of this mic preamp design — employed to record everyone from Frank Sinatra to Van Halen I — and the unique characteristics of the compressor, are two major reasons why the 6176 is found in studios around the world.

  • All-tube mic preamp section derived from legendary Bill Putnam-designed 610 modular console
  • Signature 1176LN Class A FET compressor section — heard on countless hit records for more than 30 years
  • "Split" or "Join" switch allows separate or series operation of the preamp and compressor
  • Hand-built in USA; backed by 1-Year limited warranty
  • View All Features

Thanks to its straightforward controls and hallmark sound, the 6176 is the signal path of choice for engineering heavyweights like Vance Powell and Joe Chiccarelli, plus artists including Chris Martin of Coldplay, Norah Jones, Wyclef Jean, and James Mercer of The Shins. The ability to “Split” or “Join” the preamp and the compressor sections via a simple switch gives the 6176 added flexibility. This is truly UA’s premier channel strip, and among the world’s finest.

610B Mic Pre

The 2-610 microphone and instrument preamplifier has received praise from many corners. Michael Cooper, in his review for Mix Magazine, called it "hands-down, the most dimensional mic preamp I've ever heard". Peter Wade, engineer/producer who has worked with acts ranging from Wyclef Jean to Jennifer Lopez, said simply, "This box rocks." The 6176 mic preamp sections maintains the quality and character of the 2-610 while adding high-tension power regulation for improved bass response and a front-panel 15db pad switch.

1176LN Limiting Amplifier

As legendary engineer/producer Andy Johns put it, "The 1176LN is the workhorse compressor." The 1176LN may well be the most loved compressor in history. Its trademark lightning-quick attack and release times and the tone of it's Class A output amplifier have enhanced countless recordings over the last thirty-five years. We've recreated the 1176LN for the compressor section of the 6176 with the same exacting, attention to detail and tradition we use on our 1176LN. The resulting character, heritage and tone simply cannot be found on other channel strip units.


Reviews

Reviews

1 of 5
  • Paul Epworth

    (Adele, Cee Lo Green, Foster the People)

    “All the vocals on the Adele tracks I produced were recorded through the Universal Audio 6176, so you can credit Adele’s bright and crystal-clear, dulcet tones to the UA preamp and compressor. "

    Charlie Clouser

    (NIN, "Saw" Soundtracks)

    "The 6176 is my favorite for getting big warm tones from bowed cello and bass, as well as clean guitar textures."

    Matt Appleton

    (Foxy Shazam)

    "If I could only have one piece of gear, I would choose the 6176 hands down. I NEED it."

    Gary Paczosa

    (Allison Krauss)

    “I bought two of the 6176s because we just loved the sound of them."

    Gareth Jones

    (Erasure, Mogwai)

    "As soon as we started with the 6176 there were smiles all around, so it stayed on the session. Thanks UA!"

  • Rik Simpson

    (Coldplay)

    "Chris' [Martin of Coldplay] vocals always go through a 6176."

    Corey Rooney

    (Destiny's Child)

    "Breathy voice sounds particularly amazing through the 6176; it is fat and soft like a ball of cotton"

    James Mercer

    (The Shins)

    "I love that thing [the 6176]. I mean everything that I record goes through that."

    C.J. Vanston

    (Prince, Tina Turner, Joe Cocker)

    "I have used the [6176 Vintage Channel Strip] on basically everything I've recorded since 2004. [The] artists want to know what I used to get their vocal sound (Cocker, Bolton, Spinal Tap)."

    Gareth Jones

    (Grizzly Bear, Depeche Mode)

    "I love my 6176 which gets used all the time wherever I am tracking. A practical & great sounding workhorse."

  • Ed MacFarlane

    (Friendly Fires)

    "[I use] the 6176 as my preamp & compressor, and I've been using the UAD plug-ins once the track's in the computer."

    Dave Martin

    (Audio Media)

    "The real strength of the 6176 is simply that it delivers that sound we all know from a lifetime of listening to records."

    Barry Rudolph

    (Mix Magazine)

    "The 6176 is a true original with deep retro roots in an updated and modern form and capable of a huge, impressive sound."

    Brian Ahern

    (Mix)

    “The 6176 has a powerful and articulate midrange lens, and the compression has always been one of my favorites.”

    Larry Crane

    (TapeOp Magazine)

    "I almost don’t see this so much as a 'Channel Strip', but as a couple of really great pieces of gear in one box."

  • George Shilling

    (Resolution Magazine)

    "Overall this [6176] is a terrific Unit"

    Garacino

    (Recording Musicien)

    "Quality de fabrication dans le respect de la tradition"

    Mitch Gallagher

    (EQ)

    “The [6176's] preamp sounds awesome ... the 1176 section provides sought-after compression & limiting characteristics."

    Mitch Gallagher

    (EQ Magazine)

    "With the 6176, Universal Audio has created a box where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

    Mitch Gallagher

    (EQ Magazine)

    "The [6176] unit is tremendously flexible, both functionally and tonally."

  • Alan Moon

    (Sweetwater)

    "The 6176 is a piece of gear that I never want to record without again."

User Ratings

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Average Rating (22 Reviews)
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    by P. Stephan (Tuesday 1 November, 2011)

    This Channel Strip is amazing! Its extremely versatile and sounds incredible. I was able to achieve any sound that I could think of just by tweaking the gain stage and the EQ. The EQ sounds really musical and even though the parameters are limited I couldn't ask for more during recording. What I als … Read More

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    What can I say?
    by S. Leamon (Wednesday 22 May, 2013)

    It lives up to its legend and then some. Every studio big and small should have this piece. I've used it for several applications and its never failed to impress. You don't have one? Just buy it. Now! … Read More

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    6176 Vintage Channel Strip
    by P. Weisenburger (Saturday 20 April, 2013)

    This unit would be an asset to anyone's sonic arsenal. There are channel strips with tube based overtones (which this has in spades), channel strips with transformer based overtones, and channel strips that pacify those who desire a pristine uncolored path. No one unit does it all, but this amazingl … Read More

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    My precious! Needs time to get used to, but absolutely great!
    by R. Ryda (Wednesday 20 February, 2013)

    A bit muddy as a PRE, but this can be fixed by replacing stock tubes, especially that guitar JJ one. Great fast attack/release compressor! Fabulous for anything if you feel the device and set all the levels right! Much quicker than LA-610, but also requires you to have minimum attack/release underst … Read More

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    Creamy Vocal Pre!
    by R. Ketchem (Thursday 24 January, 2013)

    The 6176 has been my go-to vocal recording box since my original purchase in 2003 (I have serial number 349). It's clean, but not pristine or boring. The 1176 portion is classic and helps when tracking as well as mixing. I may add other favors, but I'll never, ever stop using my favorite vocal recor … Read More


Artists
  • Paul Epworth

    Epworth on producing Adele's Grammy-winning album, her all-UA vocal chain, and his unique production aesthetic. Read More

    Rik Simpson

    Simpson has worked on three of Coldplay's albums, including Mylo Xyloto, which he co-produced, engineered, and helped mix. Read More

    Jacknife Lee

    An Irish musician, remixer, producer, and engineer, Jacknife Lee has worked with legendary rock bands... Read More

  • Rik Simpson

    It was a great treat to interview UK producer/engineer Rik Simpson on his use of UA gear with the band Coldplay. Read More

Features & Specs

6176 Vintage Channel Strip

Features:
  • All-tube mic preamp section derived from legendary Bill Putnam-designed 610 modular console
  • Signature 1176LN Class A FET compressor section — heard on countless hit records for more than 30 years
  • "Split" or "Join" switch allows separate or series operation of the preamp and compressor
  • High and Low frequency shelving EQ
  • Variable impedance Input, Gain, and Output levels
  • Mic, balanced Line, and Hi-Z inputs
  • Ultra-quiet operation
  • Stereo interconnection via 1176-SA
  • Hand-built in USA; backed by 1-Year limited warranty
6176 Join Split Diagram

In "Join" mode, a single input signal is fed through the microphone/instrument preamp and then through the compressor. In "Split" mode, one signal can be fed into and out of the preamp/EQ section while a second can be fed into and out of the compressor section.


Docs

UA 2011 Product Catalog.pdf

6176 Manual.pdf