The FETs were replaced by a 2N3391A bipolar transistor. These are the edgiest versions, with plenty of noise and distortion to provide a distinct color to any signal. No changes were made to the circuitry, and another couple thousand units were manufactured before the brand folded. Several resistor values changes in signal pre-amp stages improved stability and noise. UA had developed a new preamplifier, the 1109 model, and this was the basis for changing the output amplifier from a Class A design (the 1108 model) to a Class A/B push-pull configuration (the 1109) providing more output current. Thus, revisions C, D, and E are all virtually identical. The original design was reproduced and revised thanks to the extensive design notes left by Bill Putnam. In the world of analog hardware, the Purple MC77 and Retro Instruments 176 are among some of the most widely used in the world of the studio. Program dependency behavior was re-tuned. As a result, the attack and release times change. This is the workhorse of the industry. Also, a tap off the emitter of the first transistor gave feedback of the input voltage back to the gain reduction FET. The faceplate was changed to the original silver faceplate and included a red "Off" button. [2] At the time of its introduction, it was the first true peak limiter with all solid-state circuitry. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Universal Audio was responsible for many innovations in the recording and sound reinforcement industry including the modern mixing console layout, per channel equalization (or EQ) and effects connectors (or send buses). Please. This strange phenomenon might be described as a "reverse look-ahead". The new Universal Audio 1176LN reissue is based on the D and E revisions and comes as close as you can get to "the sound of '67" without a time machine. The 1176 was meant to be a "true peak limiter" with a very fast attack of up to 20 microseconds, and lots of gain for a compressor: up to 45 dB! This revision had no circuit changes, but the additional low-noise circuitry was incorporated into a new main circuit board. instructions for the Universal Audio 2-1176 Limiting Amplifier. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! USING THE 1176. Universal Audio’s 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier is a handbuilt, faithful reproduction of Bill Putnam Sr.’s original visionary design — an iconic piece of audio history that had a hand behind classic recordings from Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, and more. Vintage King's Nashville showroom is available for curbside pickups. By By Michael Cooper Published: 11/01/2004 The 2-1176 Dual Limiting Amplifier is a 2-channel version of Universal Audio’s ’60s-era 1176 and uses the same FETs (for gain control elements) and output transformers. $84.30 shipping. The new unit employs metal-film resistors, which produce a lower noise floor than the carbon-film resistors used in the vintage 1176. Its Class A output stage, which incorporates a custom overwound transformer, always delivers sweetly musical results. Universal Audio, Inc. makes no warranties of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. From the beginning the 1176 had … 1176 LN Urei Compressor CLONE by Classic Audio - A piece of Audio History. Originally designed and built during the 1960s, the 1176LN was the first to use a Field Effect Transistor (FET) as a voltage-controlled variable resistor, and that innovation was the key to the product's unique character. $6,995.00. The 1176 Revision "A" or commonly called "Blue Stripe" was Universal Audio's invention that really stood up to this challenge. These revisions, easily distinguishable for their solid black face panel, were labelled 1176LN. [1], Bill Putnam sold UREI in 1985 and Revision H was the last series produced by the original company. (At the time, UA was operating under the name UREI, or United Recording Electronics Industries. The Universal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier is a modern reproduction, yet every effort was made to remain faithful to UA founder Bill Putnam Sr.’s visionary design and intentions. Apollo x16; More; UAD Accelerators. The 1176 will faithfully compress or limit at the selected ratio for transients, but the ratio will always increase a bit after the transient. Speaking of which, the 1176’s most idiosyncratic feature was made famous by studio types who did away with the manual. Four different compression ratios are available: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, and 20:1, Attack time is adjustable from 20 µs to 800 µs (0.00002–0.008 seconds), Release times are adjustable from 50 ms to 1100 ms (0.005–1.1 seconds), Two units can be linked for proper stereo operation (not just dual mono), This page was last edited on 2 January 2021, at 15:11. Reproduction based on C, D and E revisions; most resembling the E model, due to the use of the switchable power transformer. However, the company was re-established as Universal Audio in 1999 by the sons Bill Putnam, Jr. and Jim Putnam, and re-issued the 1176LN as its first product. The final major change to the circuitry occurred in Revision G. The input transformer was removed and replaced with a differential input op amp stage. The VU meter was changed to a Modutec "light box" type, using two internal lights, and the Off button for the meter was changed from black to red plastic. $75.00 shipping. Purple Audio MC77 or Universal Audio 1176? The final refinement was to eliminate the input transformer in favor of an op-amp, giving a cleaner sound. However, British engineers discovered it was possible to push all four buttons in at once, an unexpected use case that led to unintended behaviour, with a substantial increase of harmonic distortion. MSRP is $2,295. Billed as a “true peak limiter with all transistor circuitry,” the 1176 quickly became a favorite among audio engineers for its ability to limit transients with lightning speed. Occasionally, the letter "B" appears after the serial number. The Universal Audio 1176LN Classic Limiting Amplifier is a modern reproduction, yet every effort was made to remain faithful to UA founder Bill Putnam Sr.'s visionary design and intentions. The 1176 is a 1976 classic from Universal Audio. About the Universal Audio 2-1176 View the manual for the Universal Audio 2-1176 here, for free. The output amp circuit was similar to the preamp, but followed by a 2N3053 bipolar transistor operating in Class A. The Universal Audio silkscreened logo was removed and replaced with a blue Urei logo on a raised badge, (sometimes only a black printed Urei logo is used). The shape of the compression curve changes dramatically in all-button. The newly reissued 1176 operates in exactly the same way as a good, working vintage 1176. Furthermore, in all-button mode there is a lag time on the attack of initial transients. All the revisions to follow would maintain the same controls, but the red power light would disappear when the black faceplate was introduced. All cosmetics remained the same. The output matching transformer at 600 ohms was a UA-5002 (later improved to UA5002A) with a split secondary, a tertiary winding for negative feedback to the final line output circuit, and a separate emitter winding. Fill out this form to get on the waiting list and we will notify you as soon as one is available. Comparing Universal Audio Plug-Ins To Their Hardware Counterparts, Vintage King's Inside Look At Universal Audio, Vintage King's Guide To Compressors And Using Them In The Studio. Universal Audio Part Number 65-0010 Revision 1.0 Universal Audio, Inc. New power transformer, now switchable between 110 V and 220 V. The output amplifier was changed from a class A to a push-pull (class AB) design, based on the 1109 preamplifier, providing more output drive. The original Bluestripes A, A/B and B In 1973, some major changes were implemented. The threshold is set higher on higher ratios.[1]. [1], The 1176 uses a field-effect transistor (FET) to obtain gain reduction arranged in a feedback configuration. Another minor revision in the early 70s was the addition of a power transformer to switch between 110v and 220v. Audio Interfaces. The faceplate was changed to anodized black. The originals were somewhat noisy, prompting Brad Plunkett of Urei to design the Low Noise circuit that gave the unit its "LN" designation. These have the classic character and lower noise floor that is the heart of the 1176 sound. The company says that the modern 1176LN is hand-built to Bill Putnam’s exact specifications. After relaunching the brand in 2000, the design team at Universal Audio took cues from the Blackface 1176 LN, including the C, D and E revisions of the famous compressor. Urei 1176 Rev F - Michael Brauer Rack LN Peak Limiter - Universal Audio. The initial units (A and AB revisions) were available in 1967 and were informally referred as "blue stripe" for their blue-colored meter section. Revisions C through G all have the nickname "Blackface" for their black anodized aluminum, while the final Revision H is known as the "Silverface", for its natural brushed aluminum. The next revision did not change the circuitry, but the new LN circuit and Q-bias pot of the previous revision were now integrated into a new circuit board instead of being soldered on as an afterthought. UAD-2 Satellite FireWire; UAD-2 Live Rack. But, they sound so different from each other. The 1176 underwent a number of revisions; one notable change in the early revisions was the addition of Brad Plunkett's circuitry, which reduced noise by 6 dB and redistributed the noise spectrum, producing even more noise reduction in the sensitive mid-range; linearity was also increased by reducing harmonic distortion. Uh… we’re glad they went back to the original name.) It featured ultra-fast attack and release times and a broad palette of sonic malleability ranging from inconspicuous compression to flamboyant distortion. Origin Effects has managed to squeeze studio hardware components into a stompbox size pedal to offer a classic vintage-sounding compressor. As its predecessor, the 1176 utilizes soft knee compression[4] and fixed threshold: compression amount is controlled through the input control. This Universal Audio Classic version of the 1176LN captures all the nuance of the original through obsessive attention to detail and delivers that trademark sound. Both of these mods were mounted onto an otherwise normal Revision B circuit board. The next year saw some more changes to the preamplifier circuit. Sorry, no products are currently available. It was renamed to 1176LN and the face color changed to the now familiar solid black. The original Universal Audio 1176 was designed by UA founder M.T. The output transformer was changed to the B11148 type (already used in UREI LA-3A). Apollo Solo. This version continued the classic sound, but changed the output transformer for considerably higher gain. Universal Audio Urei 1176 Compressor Limiter. Low noise ("LN") circuitry was added in the signal preamp, reducing DS voltage on the gain reduction FET and keeping the FET within its linear range. I really hope you get a chance to spend a few days with any of the mentioned hardware versions or at least enough time to learn what they are about. It… In 1966, Bill Putnam, engineer and founder of Universal Audio, began to employ the recently invented field-effect transistors (FET), replacing vacuum tubes in his equipment designs. To what degree is once again material dependent. The ‘all buttons in’ mode was popularised by British engineers in the ’70s. On the rear panel were some key safety improvements: the fuse holder went from round to square and the voltage switch was moved to be above the new IEC cable input, replacing the attached power cord that had been a literal fixture of the device since the very first model. The important addition of the Low Noise circuit changed the model designation from 1176 to 1176LN, which was prominently displayed on the new black anodized aluminum faceplate. The blue stripe disappeared and the UREI logo was placed over the meter, which was changed from a Weston to a Modutec with two overhead bulbs. Aside from the Universal Audio reproduction, several other brands have worked to create their own versions of the 1176. It's very colored in sound and doesn't have the high bandwidth sound of the newer compressors but who cares. It involves activated all the ratio switches at the same time. I just bought a UA 2-1176 and it sounds no where near as good as my 1176. _____ Stereo Operation and Calibration With the use of an external 1176 Stereo Adapter (1176SA), available from Universal Audio, two 1176LNs can be connected for stereo operation. The op-amp input Blackface G and Silver-face H This manual comes under the category Receivers and has been rated by 1 people with an average of a 7.5. The FET feedback circuit was revised to minimize distortion. The rest of the design features two black plastic control knobs with silver tops and clear plastic collars, two smaller black and silver knobs, eight black plastic pushbuttons and a red power indicator light. © 1993 - 2021 Vintage King Audio All Rights Reserved. Metering circuit now uses an op-amp. Apollo x8; Apollo x8p. Revision C, designed in 1970, saw one of the major design evolution, with less noise and harmonic distortion. Terms and Conditions | Privacy and Security | Accessibility. Apollo x8p; Apollo x16. Notice This manual provides general information, preparation for use, installation and operating instructions Universal Audio's current reproductions are based on these revisions, so if you are looking to DIY an 1176 rather than buying a new one, rev D is the way to go. Apollo x6; Apollo x8. The 1176LN was inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame in 2008.[3]. The attack and release are program dependent, as is the ratio. This became known as "All-button" mode or British mode,[4] and is popular enough to be explicitly supported by modern clones of the 1176. At approximately serial number 10750, Harman Electronics took over Urei, and the familiar black and silver Urei sticker on the rear was changed to a Harman sticker. Get the best deals for universal audio 1176 at eBay.com. With its distinctive tone and its wide range of sounds, deriving from the Class A amplifiers, its input and output transformers, the uncommonly fast attack and release times and their program dependence, and different compression ratios and modes, the 1176 was immediately appreciated by engineers and producers and established as a studio standard through the years. Apollo Twin MkII; Apollo x6. This new 1176 LN stays true to the original designs of Bill Putnam and introduces the compressor to a whole new generation of users. I would think the circuits are somewhat similar, if not exactly the same. The input transformer was removed and replaced with a differential amplifier. After successfully adapting the 108 tube microphone preamplifier into the new FET-based 1108, he redesigned the 175 and 176 variable-mu tube compressors into the new 1176 compressor. $95.00 shipping. The faceplate was changed from black anodized to natural brushed aluminum. Note that some revision B units appear to have been later upgraded by Urei to the Low Noise spec, as indicated by the lower serial number with a replacement black faceplate. The Universal Audio 1176 Compressor/Limiter was first introduced in 1968, created by Bill Putnam Sr. as the solid state successor to his tube-based 176 limiting amplifier. SCOTTS VALLEY, CA • April 4, 2012 — Universal Audio (UA), a leader in professional audio recording hardware and software, is proud to release the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection for the UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins platform and new Apollo High-Resolution Audio Interface. "[4], Jim Scott says "They have an equalizer kind of effect, adding a coloration that's bright and clear. The 1176 Peak Limiter is a dynamic range compressor designed by Bill Putnam and introduced by UREI in 1967. This change in attack and release times and the compression curve that results is the main contributor to the all-button sound. [1], Mike Shipley says "The 1176 absolutely adds a bright character to a sound, and you can set the attack so it's got a nice bite to it. Customer Service & Tech Support: 1-877-MY-AUDIO Business, Sales & Marketing: 1-866-UAD-1176 www.uaudio.com . The 1176 was originally designed by Bill Putnam Sr. in 1968 as a solid-state alternative to his successful 176 tube compressor. It uses a FET (field effect transistor) wired in a feedback configuration to reduce gain. This is what gives way to the trademark overdriven tone. You can use it on any instrument and it'll do the job of making the drums sound punchy, the vocal sound stressed, urgent and contained if you choose, the bass pop, the drum room explodes, the guitars drive, the piano harmonics shimmer. An emulation of the legendary 1176LN compressor, a must-have dynamic processor for your VS recorder. By about #2300, the switch was moved to the right of the fuse, with the power cord being moved directly underneath the fuse. The new Universal Audio 1176LN reissue is based on the D and E revisions and comes as close as you can get to “the sound of ’67” without a time machine. Based on the look of their faceplates, Revisions A, A/B, and B are all nicknamed the "Bluestripe," since they all featured a section of blue paint around the VU meter. For 50 years the 1176 has been a vital tool in music production revered for it’s fast compression/release and warm tone that only FET circuitry can offer. The ratio buttons are designed to be mutually exclusive, so that pressing one ratio button deselects the others. The release time is program-dependent: it is quicker after transients to obtain a more consistent level, but it slows down after sustained and heavy compression to reduce pumping effects. For those working in the box, look no further than the Waves CLA-76 and Universal Audio's Classic Limiter Collection, both of which expertly recreate the compressor in digital form. The Purple Audio does sound better than the RI's IMO but the RI's are still a massive piece of gear. $15,999.00. FETs in the signal pre-amp were replaced with bipolar transistors (2N3391A). Derived from the 175 and 176 tube compressors, it marked the transition from vacuum tubes to solid-state technology.[1]. Universal Audio 1176 (#2) Reservation Calendar / / Add to Cart. Where 4:1 is a gentle slope, all-button is more like severe plateau! Though the audio circuitry remains the same as the reissue 1176LN from the same period, rotary switches replace push buttons for ratio and meter selection, and metering options are limited and the meters are notably smaller. Universal Audio was a designer and manufacturer of recording, mixing and audio signal processing hardware for the professional recording studio, live sound and broadcasting fields. In 2000, the sons of Bill Putnam Sr. resurrected Universal Audio to make authentic reissues of the legendary gear from Urei. The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. There are more of this revision (and less of rev D) than was previously thought. UAD-2 Satellite. The most powerful compressor of them all. In 1970, two major and two minor changes were implemented. Apollo Solo; Apollo Twin MkII. or Best Offer. In conjunction with this, the UA5002A output transformer was replaced by the B11148 transformer (used in the LA-3A), providing 12 dB of gain. In 1966, Bill Putnam, engineer and founder of Universal Audio, began to employ the recently invented field-effect transistors (FET), replacing vacuum tubes in his equipment designs. Available Vintage & Used 1176 Compressors, Universal Audio 1176 LN Classic Limiting Amplifier, Retro Instruments 176 Tube Limiting Amplifier. Input attenuator and transformer changed, since the original Precision Electronics T-pad attenuator and 012 Magnetika transformer became unavailable. All Revision Gs were first produced in the new factory, and it is possible that the change was planned to coincide with the move and/or commenced when the stock of old parts had been used up. One-third of all vintage 1176 units are of this type. Threshold: dependent on input and ratio levels, Attack time: variable 20 microseconds to 800 microseconds, Recovery time: variable 50 milliseconds to 1.1 seconds, Compression Ratio: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1, "All-in", Meter select: Off, Gain Reduction, Output Level at +4 dBm or +8 dBm, Barrier strip I/O and 1176 SA stereo-link RCA jack on rear. The meter drive circuit was also changed, replacing the discrete circuit of balanced bridge transistors with an operational amplifier, to simplify meter calibration. Also, a Q-bias pot was added to the feedback circuit of the audio FET, to minimize distortion. Universal Audio 1176 (#1) Reservation Calendar / / Add to Cart. Program dependency behavior was removed. The Universal Audio 1176LN Limiting Amplifier was an instant classic. Revisions F/G 1973: Pulling out of class A / Integrating integrated circuits. The substance of these revisions is detailed below, gleaned from notes by Barry Rudolph, the Universal Audio website, and research on units sold by Vintage King. [6], Revisions D and E are reputed to sound the best. Developing the 1176LN —as well as Universal Audio’s entire line of quality audio products designed to meet the needs of the modern recording studio while retaining the character of classic vintage equipment—has been a very special experience for me and for all who have been involved.