1176 Classic Limiter Collection
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The definitive collection of the world’s most famous compressors.
The original Universal Audio 1176 was designed by UA founder M.T. “Bill” Putnam, and represented a major breakthrough in limiter technology. The first true peak limiter to feature all-transistor circuitry and ultra-fast FET gain reduction, the 1176 has lent its character and punch to some of the greatest recordings in history.
Universal Audio released its first 1176 plug-in emulation in 2001. This plug-in single-handedly launched the UAD platform, and inspired a decade of analog emulation software. Today, we’ve circled back to the 1176, and modeled its entire electronic path from stem to stern — including its transformers and FET and transistor amplifiers, resulting in unrivaled emulations of three distinct 1176 units.Now You Can:
Track and mix with painstaking emulations of the legendary 1176, the most popular compressor ever made
Choose from three famous versions: Rev A, Rev E, and AE — each with their own sonic attributes
Harness the 1176’s entire electronic path including transformers and FET and transistor amplifiers for colorful distortion
Add color to signals with “No Ratio” or Attack “Off” yielding 1176 distortion without compression
Use the infamous “All-Button” mode for colorful overdriven textures
Mix with presets from legendary 1176 users such as Andy Johns, Andrew Scheps, Ed Cherney, and Joe Chiccarelli
5-Minute UAD Tips
Featuring the 1176 Classic Limiter Plug-In Collection.
A Triple Threat
The 1176 Classic Limiter Plug-In Collection provides three distinct 1176 revisions, representing over 40 years of design iterations to the original 1176. The Rev A “Bluestripe” represents the original Putnam FET limiter design, complete with its higher distortion and unique FET gain amplifier characteristics. The Rev E “Blackface” covers the early '70s Brad Plunkett “LN” (Low Noise) era, with variations including a more linear compression response, transistor gain amplification, and a change to the program dependence. The 1176AE provides UA’s rare 1176 40th Anniversary Edition, complete with exclusive mods — including its lower 2:1 compression ratio.
Classic Compression, Quickly
Using an 1176 is a study in simplicity. Input simultaneously sets compression threshold and the level of the signal entering the 1176; Output sets the final signal level. Attack sets the time it takes the 1176 to respond to incoming signal, while Release sets the time it takes the 1176 to return to its initial level. The VU meter displays the amount of gain reduction (GR) or output level (+4/+8).
Ratio Buttons for Iconic Color
The four Ratio buttons determine the degree of compression — lower ratios for compression, higher ratios for limiting. Disengaging all Ratio buttons disables compression, while continuing to pass signal through the 1176 circuitry, adding unmistakable color. At the request of users, “Multi-Button” combinations possible with the hardware are now attainable in the plug-in — including the famous “All Button” sound.
“The new 1176s are better for vocals because the old ones are grittier. The new ones are cleaner and just sweeter on tape.”
– Joe Chiccarelli (Jason Mraz, Beck, The Strokes, Morrissey)
“ I use the 1176 on everything: vocals, guitars, bass, drums, overheads, and percussion… It’s just such a great workhorse.”
– Darrell Thorp (Beck, Radiohead, Charlotte Gainsbourg)
“I always use an 1176 on the insert. It tickles but doesn’t take over... and puts the vocals right up front.”
– Jimmy Douglass (Pharrell, Timbaland, John Legend)
“Just when you thought you had all the 1176s you need… The Bluestripe is the perfect aggressive compressor and the 1176AE 2:1 ratio adds a new option for softer smoother compression.”
– Joe Chiccarelli (Jason Mraz, Beck, The Strokes, Morrissey)
“As technology marches on, it's great that UA realizes it is possible to revisit some of their classic plug-ins and make them even better than before.”
– Carl Glanville (U2, Billy Joel, Counting Crows)
“The 1176 Plug-in Collection excites me the same way the hardware versions did when I started in the biz.”
– David Isaac (Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross, Eric Clapton)
“My vocal chain is an LA-2A, SSL E Series Channel Strip, an 1176LN, and a Precision De-Esser. They're amazing plug-ins.”
– Hector Delgado (A$AP Rocky, Selena Gomez, Jay-Z)
“I'm so impressed with the new 1176 emulation... this plug-in is now equal to its hardware equivalent. Having this many Bluestripes available at once is sick.”
– Jacquire King (James Bay, Kings of Leon, Tom Waits)
“The UAD 1176 plug-ins go one step further than other emulations in capturing all the crazy things 1176s do — they absolutely remind me of the hardware.”
– Andrew Scheps (Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Duke Spirit)
“The UAD 1176LN is my go-to compressor for bass. It really helps achieve that in-your-face sound!”
– Ariel Borujow (Chromeo, Mac Miller, Madonna)
“The UAD 1176 Classic Limiter Collection are definitely go‑to plug‑ins for me.”
– Glenn Rosenstein (Ziggy Marley, U2)Customer Reviews
R. Brock
May 30, 2020
A must have for any engineer
Simple and effective. Based off a classic we all know and love. Sounds incredibly close to what a real 1176 sounds like. I literally put on any and everything. The place it works best for...
Read MoreC. Vazquez
May 24, 2020
Use it on everything!!!!
This is such an amazing plugin! It sounds great on everything!!!! I love it the most on my bass tracks!!!
Read MoreA. Reverberi
May 18, 2020
So Good
They are so good you wanna put one on every track! The blue stripe rev A specially it's fantastic, it has a great character to it.
Read MoreS. Parikh
May 16, 2020
1176 Classic Limiter Collection
Sounds fantastic, I use it in mix on lead vocal,
Read MoreS. Lewis
May 14, 2020
Adds power and edge
I love this plugin in combo with LA2A. Pro sound in just a few simple clicks.
Read More -
Key Features
Painstaking new emulations of legendary M.T. “Bill” Putnam-designed 1176, the most popular compressor ever made
Includes three famous versions: Rev A, Rev E, and AE — each with their own sonic attributes
Models entire electronic path, including transformers, FET and bipolar transistor amplifiers, for colorful input / output distortion
Accurately models ultra-fast hardware attack time: 20 microseconds to 800 microseconds
New “No Ratio” or Attack “Off” provides popular amplifier-only mode, adding 1176 distortion without compression
All multi-button ratio combinations now available — including “All-Buttons”
Includes Artist Presets from Andy Johns, Andrew Scheps, Carl Glanville, David Isaac, Ed Cherney, Hugo Nicolson, Jacquire King, Joe Chiccarelli, and Vance Powell
Requires a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator or Apollo Interface available from authorized dealers worldwide
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Customer Reviews
1176 Classic Limiter Collection
R. Brock
A must have for any engineer
Simple and effective. Based off a classic we all know and love. Sounds incredibly close to what a real 1176 sounds like. I literally put on any and everything. The place it works best for me are vocals, guitars, and kick and snare. Though I’ve used it on nearly every source imaginable with incredible results!
C. Vazquez
Use it on everything!!!!
This is such an amazing plugin! It sounds great on everything!!!! I love it the most on my bass tracks!!!
T. Fukuta
Nice!
The blue stripe rev A is very useful for me.
A. Reverberi
So Good
They are so good you wanna put one on every track! The blue stripe rev A specially it's fantastic, it has a great character to it.
S. Parikh
1176 Classic Limiter Collection
Sounds fantastic, I use it in mix on lead vocal,
S. Lewis
Adds power and edge
I love this plugin in combo with LA2A. Pro sound in just a few simple clicks.
B. Forpahl
Fast and Easy
Super fast to dial in the settings. Use it every time I record.
M. Cleijne
Near Analogues
Stable plug-ins one of the best I own. Easy functionalities and out put sound near analogue.
E. Delinois
Amazing Limiter
You can't go wrong with the 1176 Classic limiter.
B. Senter
Great!
Sounds way better than I thought it would!
J. Dahl
Best compressor ever made. Period
Sounds fantastic, I use it in every session in every mix on every vocal, nothing beats it. Also great to track with.
D. Jackson
Figured out download
works great in logic
S. McKenna
Amazing on anything you use them for.
These sound amazing on anything you put them on. Highly recommend.
P. Enz
My go to limiter
This plugin has so much videos on the net to teach you different things. Aside of this, it comes from its original manufacturer. What else do you need?
S. KIM
best 1176 modeled plugin.
I bought many kinds of 1176 based plugins, but UAD's one is the best. Almost same power/groove/harmonics. This plugin made me choose UAD series.
M. Hackl
Probably The Most Renowned Piece Of Gear Ever. Simply An Unmistakable Industry Standard
I guess it's the best plugin version out there..
P. Mata Rodriguez
Great sound
I don't own the original hardware so I cannot compare, but the results on my guitar and Superior Drummer are great. Great piece of software!!!
R. Maynard
Fantastic Stuff
Having never used UA's plugins before I came in with a little doubt they would be as good as the "real thing" (you know rack mount). But after pulling them up, all I can say is, Blowin Away. You guys are awesome.
A. Phillips
What Hardware?
In this day and age I am not sure why you would want a rack full of equipment sucking up precious resources. I can get what I need out of these plug-ins and then some. Great Job!
A. Tock
Fantastic
It sounds better than I imagined !!!
