UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection Manual

Updated September 12, 2023 22:23

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 compressor featuring solid-state circuitry and ultra-fast 20 microsecond FET gain reduction, the 1176 is an easy-to-use "desert island" compressor that has lent its character and punch to some of the greatest recordings in history.

Upon its release in 2001, UA's first 1176 plug-in single-handedly launched our UAD platform. Extensive end-to-end circuit modeling in 2013 captured even more sonic nuance. Now with updated graphics and additional controls, the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection continues its legacy of analog modeling excellence.

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
Access "All-Button" or "No Ratio" modes for colorful overdriven textures
Expanded controls for Headroom, Mix, and custom Sidechain Filter for reduced LF pumping
Mix with presets from legendary 1176 users such as Andy Johns, Andrew Scheps, Ed Cherney, and Joe Chiccarelli

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.

Added Features for Modern Workflows

Exclusive plug-in only features lend modern workflows to this classic processor collection. Get quick parallel processing on bass and kick drums with Dry/Wet mix controls, or use the custom Sidechain Filter to tame low-frequency pumping. Plus, enhanced graphics with improved VU metering bring iconic FET compression into a new age.

1176 Plug-In Family

The complete 1176 family consists of five individual plug-ins, as seen on the previous page. Each variation has its own unique sonic characteristics.

UA 1176 Limiter Collection

The UA 1176 Limiter Collection bundle provides three distinct 1176 revisions, representing over 40 years of design iterations to the original 1176 — the world's most recognized limiter.

1176 Rev A "Bluestripe"

This model represents the original Putnam FET limiter design, complete with its higher distortion and unique FET gain amplifier characteristics.

Although the input can clip even when gain reduction is not occurring in all the Limiter Collection bundle models, the input clipping is most evident on the Rev A model.

UA 1176 Rev A interface

1176 Rev E "Blackface"

This model covers the early 70's / Brad Plunkett "LN" (Low Noise) era of the 1176 circuit lineage, with variations including a more linear compression response, transistor gain amplification, and a change to the program dependency.

UA 1176LN Rev E interface

1176AE "Anniversary Edition"

This model provides UA's rare 1176 40th Anniversary Edition, complete with exclusive "hot-rod" mods — including its lower 2:1 compression ratio and a fixed "super slow" 10 ms attack mode.

UA 1176AE interface

Operational Overview

Applications

Generally speaking, the primary use for the 1176 plug-ins are as individual inserts for sources that require limiting or compression, such as an individual snare, vocal, or guitar track, or for multi-instrument sources such as a stereo drum bus.

Because the UA 1176 Limiter Collection also models the input and output amplifiers, these models can also be used as "tone boxes" to add 1176 color without compression/limiting by disengaging the sidechain (by leaving all Ratio buttons "up").

Parameters

The four Ratio buttons determine the degree of compression; lower ratios for compression, higher ratios for limiting. Disengaging all the Ratio buttons — by Shift+Clicking the currently selected ratio — disables compression altogether, but signal continues to pass through the 1176 circuitry. This is commonly used to add the "color" of the 1176 without any gain reduction. At the request of users, the wide range of "Multi-Button" combinations possible with the hardware is now possible — including the famous "All Button" sound. Additionally, with the A and E models, setting Attack to OFF will color the sound without compression.

Control Response & Interactions

The UA 1176 Limiter Collection plug-ins are meticulous emulations of the original hardware in every regard, including control responses and interactions. Each 1176 has unique characteristics for gain, threshold, compression knee, distortion onset, and sweet spots. Setting the controls to the same positions on the different plug-ins may yield radically different results, especially depending on the source signals.

This accurate control modeling also applies to the Input and Output control tapers and amplifier levels. The same knob positions on one 1176 could produce dramatically louder (or softer) levels on another. For this reason (to prevent unexpected and potentially damaging output level jumps), presets are not interchangeable between the 1176 variations.

Grit

A simple 1176 trick is turning the attack and release up all the way to their fastest settings. This has the audible effect of adding compression distortion to the audio source, and is especially pronounced in all-buttons mode. What happens here is the attack and release are happening so fast that minute level fluctuations sound like distortion. It can add a very useful, gritty compression effect.

This effect is useful on bass, where you might need compression and distortion at the same time, and the 1176 can provide both in a unique way. This trick also sounds great on screaming lead vocals.

Artist Presets

The UA 1176 Limiter Collection includes presets voiced by prominent Universal Audio artists.

Artist presets are accessed using the preset browser.

Andrew Scheps	Hugo Nicolson
Andy Johns	J.J. Blair
Carl Glanville	Jacquire King
David Isaac	Joe Chiccarelli
Ed Cherney	Vance Powell

Artists that have provided presets for the UA 1176 Classic Limiter Collection

1176 Controls

Each 1176 plug-in variation has the same fundamental control set, so they are only detailed once. The parameter descriptions below apply to all models unless otherwise noted.

Input

Input adjusts the amount of gain reduction as well as the relative threshold. Rotate the knob clockwise to increase the compression amount.

Like the original hardware, the label values are somewhat arbitrary; the knobs are not calibrated to any particular dB values and levels will vary between the various plug-in models. Even when the Input knob is set to " ∞ " signals can still pass into the processor and be compressed.

Note: In the UA 1176 Limiter Collection plug-ins, increasing Input will increase distortion.

Headroom (HR)

Headroom enables adjustment of the internal operating reference level for the plug-in so that the plug-in is not "pushed" into gain reduction as much. Headroom enables best practice operating level matching, or it can be used creatively to expand the sonic range of the processor.

Note: The Headroom control does not exist on the original hardware or the 1176LN/SE Legacy plug-ins.

By fine-tuning headroom, the nonlinear I/O distortion and compression response characteristics can be tailored independently of signal input levels. Increasing headroom (by rotating the control counter-clockwise) allows signals at the input to be pushed higher before they compress.

Headroom can be set (in dB) to 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or 28. The default value is 16 dB (when the set screw "dot" is in the 12 o'clock position). Note that Headroom is increased as the dB value decreases.

Tip: Click the "+" or "-" text labels to increment or decrement the current value. Click the "HR" text label to return the control to its default value of 16 dB.

At higher dB values (clockwise rotation), signals will push the plug-in into gain reduction (and more non-linearity and "good" harmonic distortion color) more easily. Set the control to a lower value (counter-clockwise rotation) when less gain reduction and less color is desired.

Note: To avoid the temporary gain increases that can result when adjusting Headroom, automating this control is not recommended.

Mix

A blended output balance between the signal processed by the plug-in and the original dry source signal can be adjusted with the Mix control. Mix facilitates parallel compression techniques without having to create additional routings in the DAW.

Note: The Mix control does not exist on the original hardware or the 1176LN/SE Legacy plug-ins.

When Mix is set fully counterclockwise, only the dry, unprocessed source signal is output. When set full clockwise (the default value), only the wet, processed signal is output. When set to 50% (when the set screw "dot" is in the 12 o'clock position), an equal blend of both the dry and wet signals is output. The balance is continuously variable, and phase accurate, throughout the control range.

Tip: Click the "+" or "-" text labels to increment/decrement the value by ±10%. Click the "MIX" label to set the value to 50%.

Output

Output determines the final output level of signal leaving the 1176. Once the desired amount of limiting or compression is achieved with the use of the Input control, the Output control can be used to make up any gain lost due to gain reduction.

To monitor the Output level, set the VU Meter to +8 or +4. The Output control does not affect the amount of compression.

Note: In the 1176 Limiter Collection plug-ins, increasing Output will increase distortion.

Attack

Attack sets the amount of time it takes the 1176 to respond to an incoming signal and begin gain reduction. The 1176 attack time is adjustable from 20 microseconds to 800 microseconds (both extremely fast).

The attack time is fastest when the Attack knob is in its fully clockwise position, and is slowest when it is in its fully counter-clockwise position. When a fast attack time is selected, gain reduction kicks in almost immediately and catches transient signals of very brief duration, reducing their level and thus "softening" the sound.

Slower attack times allow transients (or partial transients) to pass before limiting or compression begins on the rest of the signal. Note that the actual attack time varies slightly based on the selected ratio and the particular plug-in model in use; lower ratios will maintain the fastest attack times.

The behavior of the Attack knob varies slightly between the models, as detailed below.

UA 1176AE Attack

The 1176AE offers a unique, fixed 10 ms "SLO" Attack mode when this control is moved to the fully counter-clockwise position.

UA 1176 Rev A and UA 1176LN Rev E Attack

When Attack is in the OFF position the I/O amplifiers remain active while the compression circuit is bypassed. This enables these models to add 1176 color without dynamics processing. This function is identical to disengaging all the Ratio buttons.

Note: To avoid unexpected level changes that can result when compression is disengaged, on these models the OFF text label must be clicked to move the Attack knob to the OFF position.

Release

Release sets the amount of time it takes the 1176 to return to its initial (pre-gain reduction) level. The 1176 release time is adjustable from 50 milliseconds to 1100 milliseconds (1.1 seconds).

Note that the actual release time varies slightly based on the particular plug-in model in use and also partially depends on the program material.

The release time is fastest when the Release knob is in its fully clockwise position, and is slowest when it is in its fully counter-clockwise position. If the release time is fast, "pumping" and "breathing" artifacts can occur, due to the rapid rise of background noise as the gain is restored. If the release time is too slow, however, a loud section of the program may cause gain reduction that persists through a soft section, making the soft section difficult to hear.

About Program-Dependent Release

Program-dependent release is a feature of many compressors. The motivation for having program-dependent release is as follows: After a transient, it is desirable to have a fast release to avoid prolonged dropouts. However, while in a continued state of heavy compression, it is better to have a longer release time to reduce the pumping and harmonic distortion caused by repetitive attack-release cycles.

The 1176 compressor employs a release mechanism that is heavily program-dependent. There are three features to a program-dependent release: A fast release-time, a slow release-time, and a transition-time.

The fast release time is the effective release time after transients; the slow release time is the release time after sustained high-RMS signals. The transition time expresses how long the signal must be "in compression" before the slow release time comes into effect.

The original "Bluestripe" and 1176AE has a different slow release-time and transition-time when compared to the "Blackface" revisions.

Sidechain Filter

Note: The Sidechain Filter control does not exist on the original hardware or the 1176LN/SE Legacy plug-ins.

A fixed 10 dB per decade (3 dB per octave) custom linear filter is available for the compressor sidechain. This function minimizes low-frequency content from the compressor's control sidechain, reducing excessive gain reduction and/or "pumping" on bass-heavy audio signals without reducing bass content of the audio signal itself.

To toggle the function, click the "/" filter symbol and/or "RELEASE" text label beneath the Release knob, or shift-click anywhere on the Release knob. When the Sidechain Filter is active, the Release knob is "lifted" and slightly enlarged.

Note: The sidechain filter only acts on the compressor's sidechain signal. While this filter can produce an audible change in dynamics behavior, it does not act directly on the audio signal.

Ratio

The four Ratio pushbutton switches (to the left of the VU Meter) determine the compression ratio of the plug-in. Ratios of 20:1, 12:1, 8:1, and 4:1 are available for all 1176 models except the UA 1176AE, which has 20:1, 8:1, 4:1, and 2:1 modes.

The 20:1 ratio is typically used when peak-limiting is desired, while the lower ratios are typically used for general dynamic range compression.

Multiple Ratio Buttons

One of the most unique features of the 1176 hardware is the ability to press multiple Ratio buttons in simultaneously to create unusual compression or limiting behavior and increased compression distortion.

All Button Mode

Engineers typically use "All Button" mode on drums or on ambience or room mics. It can also be used to make a bass or guitar sound "dirty" or for putting vocals "in your face." In All-Button mode (also known as "British Mode"), distortion increases radically due to a lag time on the attack of initial transients.

In All Button mode the ratio goes to somewhere between 12:1 and 20:1, and the bias points change throughout the circuit, thus changing the attack and release times as well. The unique and constantly shifting compression curve that results yields a trademark overdriven tone that can only be found in this family of limiter/compressors.

Note: All Button mode is available in all 1176 models.

Multi Button Modes

The UA 1176 Limiter Collection includes the ability to select a variety of "Multi Button" combinations, offering various interpretations of the "All Button" idiosyncrasies. Various button combinations will yield audibly different compression characteristics.

Selecting All/Multi Button Ratio Modes

To select the various combinations of multiple buttons, shift+click the Ratio buttons.
Combinations are limited to the modes that actually affect the sound in the hardware. See Available Multi Button Modes for the combinations.
For the combinations with three or more buttons, the shift-clicking the outer buttons will automatically engage the inner buttons (the inner buttons cannot be disengaged; such combinations don't affect the sound in the hardware).
These models can be used as "tone boxes" without compression/limiting by disengaging the Ratio control altogether (all Ratio buttons "up"). This is accomplished by clicking any Ratio button so only one button is engaged, then shift-clicking the engaged button so none are engaged.

Available Multi Button Modes

The Multi-Button modes available in the UA 1176 Limiter Collection.

VU Meter

This is a standard VU meter that displays either the amount of gain reduction, or output level, depending upon the setting of the Meter Function switch.

Meter Function

These four pushbutton switches (to the right of the VU Meter) determine the mode of the VU Meter, and whether the plug-in is enabled. When set to GR, the VU Meter indicates the Gain Reduction level in dB. When set to +8 or +4, the VU Meter indicates the output level in dB; when set to +4, a meter reading of 0 corresponds to an output level of +4 dB.

When the Meter Function is set to GR mode and multiple Ratio buttons are engaged, the Meter will appear to behave strangely. This is normal behavior in the 1176 hardware, and is faithfully recreated in the plug-in.

When the OFF switch is engaged, the plug-in is disabled and processor usage is reduced.

1176%2BHW.png

The original UA 1176 Limiter Collection hardware