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Average Price: $2,467
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$100
$501+
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Universal Audio 1176LN". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Universal Audio 1176LN Limiting Amplifier is a faithful reissue of the iconic solid-state compressor that revolutionized the music industry in 1967. Renowned for its ultra-fast attack and release times, this versatile limiting amplifier can deliver a broad range of compression effects, from subtle leveling to full-blown distortion.
Handcrafted in Scotts Valley, California, each 1176LN is meticulously assembled point-to-point, replicating Bill Putnam Sr.'s original design. This commitment to authenticity ensures that the 1176LN captures the heart and soul of the original unit that helped shape the sound of rock and roll legends like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Michael Jackson.
A true chameleon, the 1176LN can transform any signal it processes. Bass guitars attain immense presence, weak snares gain a distinct crack, and vocals are propelled to the front of the mix. Thanks to its Class A output transformer, renowned for its musicality, the 1176LN can morph even the most mundane tracks into sonic gems.
While modern limiters offer digital emulations and updated components, none can match the musicality and versatility of the 1176LN. Universal Audio's reissue captures all the nuances of Putnam's pioneering design, making the 1176LN a must-have for any studio.
Key Features:
- Iconic solid-state compressor/limiter, reissued to original specifications
- Ultra-fast attack time as low as 20 microseconds
- Broad range of compression effects, from subtle leveling to all-out distortion
- Class A output transformer known for its musicality
- Handcrafted in Scotts Valley, California
- Ideal for shaping dynamics on guitars, bass, drums, vocals, and more
- Custom Class A output transformers
- Record your tracks through legendary vintage-spec solid-state circuitry
- Faithful to the original in design, manufacturing, and performance
- Impart vibe, color, and character to signals without using compression
Product specs
| Type | FET |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Controls | Input, Output, Attack, Release, Ratio (Buttons) |
| Ratio | 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1 |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Inputs | 1 x XLR |
| Outputs | 1 x XLR |
| Rack Spaces | 2U |
| Height | 3.5" |
| Depth | 12.25" |
| Width | 19" |
| Weight | 11 lbs. |
FAQs
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What makes the Universal Audio 1176LN unique compared to other compressors?
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The Universal Audio 1176LN is renowned for its lightning-fast attack and release times, offering a wide range of compression sounds from subtle to aggressive. Its Class A output stage and iconic FET design contribute to its distinct tonal character, making it a staple in professional studios.
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Is the Universal Audio 1176LN suitable for both vocals and instruments?
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Yes, the 1176LN is versatile and widely used for both vocal and instrumental tracks. Its fast attack and release times make it ideal for controlling dynamic range while adding a classic sonic signature to various audio sources.
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What type of connectivity does the Universal Audio 1176LN offer?
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The Universal Audio 1176LN features XLR inputs and outputs, providing professional-grade connectivity for studio setups. This ensures high-quality signal transfer and compatibility with other studio gear.
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Can the Universal Audio 1176LN be used in a stereo setup?
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The 1176LN itself is a mono unit; however, for stereo applications, two units can be linked together. Alternatively, the Universal Audio 2-1176 model offers a true stereo version of this classic compressor.
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What are the compression ratio options available on the Universal Audio 1176LN?
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The 1176LN offers four selectable compression ratios: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, and 20:1. These options provide flexibility for achieving different levels of dynamic control, from gentle compression to more aggressive limiting.
Videos
Universal Audio
Chaining the 1176LN and LA2A compressors for maximum control.
Reviews
PROS
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Essential for FET compression, especially on voice tracks and snares
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Clean, fast compression with unique tone and character
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Adds rich tone and weight to signals, enhancing recordings
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Durable with robust metal enclosure and high-quality components
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Faithful recreation of the original with classic details
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Versatile, works great on a variety of sources like guitars and vocals
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Adds polished and finished sound to recordings
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Can add aggressive coloration when needed, making instruments stand out
CONS
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One unit had quality control issues with gain reduction and output levels
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Not all units consistently replicate the sound of original UREI 1176s
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Modification and repair can be costly if issues arise
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Potentially too aggressive, might not suit all tracks or styles
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Universal Audio 1176LN.
Features and functionality
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The UAFX 1176 pedal's parallel mode uses the output knob as a dry/wet mix control, contrary to initial perceptions of it being a fixed 50/50 blend.
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The promotional UA 1176 plugin lacks output saturation and headroom controls, differing from the full version's capabilities.
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Pulsar's Smasher plugin uniquely offers individual saturation controls for input and output, a feature rare among 1176 emulations, enhancing its versatility.
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The Purple Audio MC77 plugin offers a distinctive inversely linked input/output knob and a unique distortion character, making it a standout among 1176 emulations.
Source
Software and compatibility
Use cases and applications
Comparisons
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T-Racks Black 76 behaves differently from UA's 1176 even with identical settings, highlighting distinct tonal characteristics.
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The Empress MkII is highly recommended for its versatility, although it may lack the specific distortion characteristic of the UAFX 1176.
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The UAD 1176 collection includes the exclusive 1176 Rev. AE model, offering a unique 2:1 ratio and a "slow" attack setting, highly praised for vocal processing.
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The Cali76 Stacked is noted for achieving the "Black Dog" tone through carefully researched settings, offering a more analog experience compared to the digital UAFX 1176.
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Softube FET MKII is frequently cited as a top-tier compressor, appreciated for its analog sound and noted for being potentially more aggressive than UAD models.
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Arturia’s 1176 emulation is critiqued for a consistent "veil" across their plugins, though praised for its cohesive workflow with advanced options like M/S processing.
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The Analog Obsession FETish plugin is noted for superior control and saturation over UAD models, providing a snappy 1176 sound highly favored for aggressive tones.
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User experience
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Some owners report the Cali76 can be noisy, especially with single-coil pickups like those from a Telecaster or Strat, whereas Keeley compressors offer quieter performance.
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Despite newer emulations, some users still rely on the CLA76 for its familiar compression sound, often adding saturation plugins like Decapitator for enhanced tonal character.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 26 Ratings
253
Urei 1176LN Limiting Amplifier
"This is the box that I use to add agressive coloration to sources. It can be just the right thing on some sources like bass guitar to make it jump out of the mix. It can also really destroy the integrity and beauty of an instrument. Don't be running every single track through this baby unless you're making punk rock!"
Artist usage
Add artist
An article released talks about what different gear Prince used during the recording of the Purple Rain album it is mentioned that he used a few 1176s and Susan Rogers during an interview said that she used a 1176 compressor on the Linn snare for the song If I Was Your Girlfriend.
In a video tour of his home studio, Josh Dun is confirmed to use the Universal Audio 1176LN as seen at the 7:55 mark, according to the source by Sweetwater on YouTube.
Two of these are visible behind Steve Angello at 10:40. They appear to have a design similar to the UREI version (the manufacturers of the 1176LN before Universal Audio), as they lack UA's distinct blue stripe around the lit meter.
In the image provided, Dr. Dre's studio rack clearly includes the Universal Audio UREI 1176-LN Peak Limiter.
Used for the ending guitar solo in "Walk This Way", as stated by engineer Jay Messina in this March 21, 2017 Mix Online interview.
The guitar solo that ends the track in a fade is all one track, Messina says. “When we mixed, that was probably a 30 ips delay on the opposite side of the lead track, which is what gives it that spread,” he says. “That was probably a Fender Twin. At Record Plant, we used to have these vintage amplifiers. They were small amps that had really meaty power without tearing your head off with volume. Probably three mics [were used]: a Sony C37, which provided the meat and bottom end of the sound, an SM57, and a Sennheiser MD421, which provided the edge. The combination of all three was compressed through a UA 1176, followed by some boost at 5k in a Pultec EQP-1A.”
In a user-uploaded photo of Travis Barker's home studio, the Universal Audio 1176LN is visible in the middle rack, indicating its use in his recording setup.
In the studio tour of Gojira's Silver Cord Studio, Joe Duplantier's studio gear is shown to consist of various rackmount units and a Diezel Herbert tube amp head.
In the February 2014 issue of MusicRadar's Computer Music, Headhunterz is shown using the Universal Audio 1176LN on page 67.
Used for the vocals on Champion Sound, as stated in this September 1, 2003 Remix article.
“I think Madlib pretty much just invents his own rules,” Peanut Butter Wolf muses. Studio engineer Dave Cooley claims that holds true even when a different setup is needed. For “React,” Jay Dee's beat and 'lib's turntable cuts were flown into Digidesign Pro Tools from separate stereo and 4-track masters. Madlib then tracked his vocals on an Audio-Technica 4033A and a Shure SM7, from there going into a Neve 1099 preamp, a GML 8200 EQ, a Universal Audio 1176LN limiting amplifier and finally a dbx 902 De-Esser. “We usually de-ess maybe 4 dB off of the vocals and then compress with a ratio of 8 to 1, which is pretty high,” Cooley explains. “But Madlib likes his shit loud, and it's mixed loud to begin with. He has a really cool ‘angular’ mixing style: Something is always sticking out.”
Album Usage
The Universal Audio 1176LN has been featured on the following albums:
Headphones On
Addison Rae (2025)
Small Rock Little Stone
Firechild (2022)
Easy On Me
Adele (2021)
Magma
Gojira (2016)
Rehab (Remixes & B Sides)
Amy Winehouse (2015)
Pet Sematary (feat. George Dalton)
Ramones (2015)
En-trance
Air (2014)
Lazaretto
Jack White & Jack White (2014)
Random Access Memories
Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2013)
Love In The Future (Expanded Edition)
John Legend (2013)
English Electric
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (2013)
Love Is a Four Letter Word
Jason Mraz (2012)
The Story of Light
Steve Vai (2012)
Music From Another Dimension!
Aerosmith (2012)
21
Adele (2011)
Crazy Clown Time
David Lynch (2011)
Rolling in the Deep
Adele (2011)
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Coldplay (2008)
Lullabies To Paralyze
Queens of the Stone Age (2005)
Is There Love In Space?
Joe Satriani (2004)
Champion Sound
Jaylib & Madlib & J Dilla (2003)
Deliverance
Bubba Sparxxx (2003)
Strange Beautiful Music
Joe Satriani (2002)
Songs For The Deaf
Queens of the Stone Age (2002)
Tha Last Meal
Snoop Dogg (2000)
Universal
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1996)
Not Of This Earth
Joe Satriani (1986)
Reckoning - Deluxe Edition
R.E.M. (1984)
Purple Rain
Prince & Prince (1984)
Murmur
R.E.M. (1983)
Led Zeppelin IV (Remaster)
Led Zeppelin (1971)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Universal Audio 1176LN, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursSimilar
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