1176 Classic Limiter Collection by Universal Audio limiter plugin interface

1176 Classic Limiter Collection: 1176 Compressor Emulations by Universal Audio Free Download

Rated 4.8/5 on Plugin Boutique (1,630 ratings)

The 1176 Classic Limiter Collection is a plugin from Universal Audio that emulates three revisions of the 1176, a FET limiter and compressor. It includes Rev A, Rev E and AE versions, each with its own sonic character.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

The 1176 Classic Limiter Collection brings together three versions of the 1176 compressor, a limiter design known for its fast FET gain reduction. Universal Audio describes the 1176 as the first compressor to use solid-state circuitry for this purpose. The collection covers Rev A, Rev E and the 1176AE 40th Anniversary Edition, so producers can compare how each revision shapes a signal. Input, Output, Attack and Release controls keep the workflow close to the hardware original.

Best for

Parallel drum compression
Bass and kick processing
Overdriven vocal color
Mix bus limiting
Reducing low-end pumping

Developer: Universal Audio
Category: Limiters
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Includes both UAD Native and Apollo Realtime/UAD-2 versions
Emulates Rev A, Rev E and 1176AE revisions
Full electronic path modeling with transformers and amplifiers
All-Button and No Ratio modes for overdriven textures
Dry/Wet mix for parallel compression on drums and bass
Custom Sidechain Filter to reduce low-frequency pumping
Expanded Headroom and Mix controls
Presets from engineers Andy Johns, Andrew Scheps, Ed Cherney and Joe Chiccarelli

03In depth

Three 1176 Revisions in One Plugin

Rev A, the "Bluestripe" version, is based on the original FET limiter design and is noted for higher distortion. Rev E, the "Blackface" version, comes from the early 1970s low-noise era and features a more linear compression response and transistor gain amplification. The 1176AE models the 40th Anniversary Edition, which includes exclusive modifications and a lower 2:1 compression ratio.

Universal Audio says the emulations capture the electronic path of the hardware, including the transformers and FET and transistor amplifiers. Switching between revisions lets you hear how each one colors the same source.

Ratio Buttons, All-Button Mode and Mix Controls

The four Ratio buttons set the amount of gain reduction, with lower ratios for compression and higher ratios for limiting. Disengaging all buttons turns compression off while the signal still passes through the 1176 circuitry, which adds distortion. Multi-button combinations, including the "All Button" mode, are available in the plugin.

Plugin-only additions include Dry/Wet mix for parallel processing on drums and bass, a custom Sidechain Filter to reduce low-frequency pumping, and Headroom controls. The VU meter can show gain reduction or output level.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Universal Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Limiter
Formats	VST3, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit
Free trial	Yes

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection support?

It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS and is a 64-bit plugin.

What do I need to use the 1176 Classic Limiter Collection?

You need a supported DAW compatible with VST3, AU or AAX, an internet connection to download and authorize the plugins, and a free iLok account. An iLok USB key is optional. The free UA Connect application is used to manage the UAD Native plugins.

Does it need Universal Audio hardware?

No. The UAD Native version runs on a Mac or PC without any UA hardware. The Apollo Realtime and UAD-2 version runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD-2 hardware.