UAD 1176LN
UAD Classic version bundled free with all UAD-2 products; 1176 Collection sold separately for $299.
FET compressors are a sub-category in their own right, named after the field-effect transistors used as voltage-controlled variable resistors in the circuit, regulating the level of gain in order to compress the signal. The major benefit of FET compressor circuits is their speed, allowing for ultra-fast attack times (as low as 20 microseconds in the case of the 1176LN). As they compress the signal, FET designs also tend to introduce harmonic distortion, with the result being an aggressive, pleasingly coloured sound.
As they compress the signal, FET designs also tend to introduce harmonic distortion, with the result being an aggressive, pleasingly coloured sound.
The definitive FET compressor is undoubtedly the 1176, designed by Universal Audio founder Bill Putnam and released in 1967. There are other options on the market these days, many of them unofficially drawing on the 1176 for inspiration (we like Softube’s FET Compressor, which adds a few features to the original >1176 setup), but if you want the closest thing to the real deal then where better to look than to the company who first brought the hardware to the market? Universal Audio’s own 1176 emulation for the UAD platform is a meticulously modelled clone of the 1970 LN version (the suffix standing for Low Noise, reflecting upgrades made to the original circuit).
Bright, punchy and simple to set up, the 1176 design is a true classic. Best suited for vocals, bass and drum tracks or groups, it’s a versatile tool to have at your disposal no matter what style of music you make.
06.08 PM
Big fan of the UAD stuff, just want to point out that paying $299 for any of their classic plugins be it the La-2a, 1176 or the Pultec EQ’s is over doing it.
UAD has frequent sales and promotions the biggest are around the Holidays and in June for the 1/2 year sale. The compressors will go as low as $99 and if you pair that with other coupons you can snag them very inexpensively. Another way to go would be buying a custom bundle. Like when you order say a Satellite or Apollo, spend another $300 and you can get 3 plugins of any value.
At first glance you may think the UAD stuff is a lot of dough. And it is if you’re going to get the latest right when it comes out. But if you watch sales and buy custom plugin bundles you can really save. There’s really no reason to pay full price for the classic compressors. They are great tho and I def like the Silver La2a
06.22 PM
great article! surprised DMG’s Compassion is not on this list. it’s pretty much my go to compressor for everything. oh, and no mentions of Waves’ compressors… that’s kinda strange.
10.18 PM
Eric – we always list products at full retail price, but you make a great point. A lot of these plugins can be had for much less at sale time, including the Universal Audio emulations.
11.48 PM
what no rocket
12.08 AM
No [insert product name]? And no [insert product name]!?
The hell with you people! 😛
12.18 PM
But what about [insert product name]?
In all seriousness, thats a great roundup.
10.38 PM
Fabfilter bundles are in sale until August 1st, in case someone’s interested. No I don’t work for Fabfilter 🙂
I’ve been eyeing the mixing bundle for some time, I’m very tempted.
03.19 PM
Slate Digital’s Virtual Mix Rack is amazing. The 1176 emulation adds nice grit and sustain. Also, the new opto compressor from BrainWorx is so punchy, sounds killer in parallel.
05.32 PM
Great list, I would also have to add any of the Native Instruments Compressors such as the Vari Comp and the Solid Bus Comp not to mention the Vintage Series VC 2A, VC 76, VC 160 as well.
07.04 AM
Elysia comps are geat! The alpha compressor can save you good money in the mastering department.
09.06 PM
Can’t see how you missed compressors like: Acustica Audio Murano and Titanium for example or MJUC, then what about Boz Audio, Slate Digital?
IMO most important compressors were excluded from this article
07.11 AM
Thank you for the article, but…what about Waves? Quite a glaring omission!
08.08 PM
The thing with the UAD stuff is that you need the DSP accelerator. I don’t have a spare £1000 lying around…
07.39 AM
I agree with Ralphonz on this one. As good as they may sound you left out the fact that UAD plug-ins won’t work without the hardware which raises the bar to 1.000 $ plus.
And hey, what about waves? You don’t have to be fan of their vast product range but a Roundup without at least one of their plug-ins seems a bit strange… Actually I don’t like a lot of their emulations either but there are some true gems…
07.48 AM
+1 for slate … The Neve type compressor really does something
01.45 PM
I dig waves ssl stuff.
12.04 PM
No Klanghelm MJUC ?! This comp is a steal !
06.20 PM
Klanghelm MJUC. Excellent. For the price nothing to compare on the market.