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Sweetwater
5.0 (14)
$2,999.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$2,999.00
Reverb
5.0 (2)
$3,290.00 4 available Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (1)
$2,999.00
B&H
5.0 (1)
$2,999.00
Vintage King
5.0 (8)
$2,999.00

Average Price: $3,041

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$100

$501+

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Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Renowned for its iconic sound, the Urei 1176 is a staple in the world of professional audio recording. Originally introduced in 1967 by Bill Putnam, this legendary FET compressor/limiter has shaped the sound of countless records across decades. Musicians and producers alike cherish its ability to deliver ultra-fast attack times, as swift as 20 microseconds, making it ideal for dynamic control on various instruments and vocals. The 1176 offers a unique blend of transparency and character, with four push-button-selectable ratios (4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1) that allow for versatile sound shaping.

One of the most intriguing features is its "Nuke Mode," activated when all four ratio buttons are pressed simultaneously. This mode is perfect for adding dramatic flair to drum room mics or other sources, creating explosive and colorful results. Whether you're looking to add a subtle sheen or a bold, aggressive punch, the Urei 1176 ensures your tracks stand out with a sonic signature that is both warm and vibrant.

Handcrafted with precision, the Urei 1176 is built with the same dedication and quality as the original units, ensuring it remains a vital tool in any studio setup. With its distinct ability to impart tone without active compression, it's a must-have for any serious audio engineer.

Key Features:

  • Legendary FET compressor/limiter design
  • Ultra-fast attack time as low as 20 microseconds
  • Push-button-selectable ratios: 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1
  • "Nuke Mode" for dramatic, explosive effects
  • Faithful reproduction of the original 1176 in design and performance
  • Handcrafted in Scotts Valley, California
  • Ideal for guitars, bass, drums, vocals, and more
  • Custom Class A output transformers for enhanced sound quality

Product specs

Brand Urei
Model Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier
Year 1970s
Made In United States
Categories Compressors and Limiters
Electronics Analog, Solid State
Format 19-inch Rackmount
Number of Analog Inputs 1
Number of Analog Outputs 1
Number of Channels 1

FAQs

What type of compression does the Urei 1176 use?

The Urei 1176 utilizes a solid-state, FET-based compression design, known for its fast attack and release times, which makes it ideal for adding punch to vocals and drums.

Is the Urei 1176 suitable for vocal recording?

Yes, the Urei 1176 is highly regarded for vocal recording, providing a distinctive punch and presence that enhances vocal tracks, making them stand out in a mix.

How many channels does the Urei 1176 have?

The Urei 1176 is a mono compressor with one analog input and one analog output, designed for processing a single channel at a time.

Can the Urei 1176 be used for stereo applications?

While the Urei 1176 is a mono unit, it can be used in stereo applications by linking two units together, allowing for consistent compression across both stereo channels.

What is the main advantage of using a Urei 1176 for drum processing?

The Urei 1176 is renowned for its ability to add punch and character to drum tracks, thanks to its fast attack and release times, which help emphasize transients and enhance the overall impact.

Doctor Mix

Doctor Mix

Urei 1176 Compressor In Action

Video thumbnail for Urei 1176 Compressor In Action by Doctor Mix

Urei 1176 Compressor In Action

Doctor Mix

Doctor Mix

Video thumbnail for The UREI 1176 LN  makes your guitar sound instantly Classic, Vintage and Amazing!! by Johan Segeborn

The UREI 1176 LN makes your guitar sound instantly Classic, Vintage and Amazing!!

Johan Segeborn

Johan Segeborn

Video thumbnail for Vintage Urei 1176LN Peak Limiter | VintageKing.com by Vintage King

Vintage Urei 1176LN Peak Limiter | VintageKing.com

Vintage King

Vintage King

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier.

Features and functionality

  • The 1176's unique attack and release settings can make drum transients pop, enhancing brightness and punchiness in snares when set to slow attack and fast release.

    Source
  • A combination of 1176 and dbx160 compressors, used in parallel, is favored for its ability to provide both "smash" and "grab" compression effects on drum tracks.

    Source
  • The 1176's attack and release knobs operate in reverse, with 1 being slowest and 7 fastest, which is unique compared to most compressors.

    Source
  • The 1176 naturally biases its compression ratio against transient sustains, allowing the initial attack to remain punchy while compressing the tails more heavily.

    Source
  • The 1176 has a faster attack for transients/high frequencies due to a resistor and capacitor in parallel, allowing transients to pass through quickly.

    Source
  • The threshold of the 1176 increases with the ratio, impacting how it handles different materials, providing a distinctive compression effect.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The "all-in mode" is praised for parallel compression, allowing for enhanced snap on drums and other instruments without overwhelming the mix.

    Source
  • The 1176 is celebrated for its ability to make vocals and bass tracks sit well in a mix, providing smooth dynamic control and enhancing track presence.

    Source
  • Engaging all ratio buttons on the 1176 can create a unique "all buttons mode," causing distorted, pumping effects, particularly effective on drum rooms.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users note that modern 1176 units can have variations in sound due to different components, but they retain the classic characteristics that are beloved in the original model.

    Source
  • Users find the UAD 1176 plugin to closely replicate the hardware sound, especially compared to the MC77, offering similar tonal characteristics across channels.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that the 1176 excels in quick setup scenarios, achieving desired compression effects rapidly without the need for extensive parameter adjustments.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The addition of a high-pass filter in the sidechain of newer FET compressors like the Black Lion Seventeen is seen as a beneficial enhancement over the original 1176 design.

    Source
  • Half-pushing one of the buttons to disengage all ratios allows using the 1176 for saturation without compression, offering a unique tonal option.

    Source

Critic Reviews

1176 Review - Urei vs UAD vs Warm Audio Shootout Review | Gearshoot

gearshoot.com

This review pits the Urei 1176 against its modern counterparts: the UAD 1176 and Warm WA76. While the Urei offers a smooth low-end extension, the Warm WA76 introduces a more noticeable distortion at higher compression ratios, which some may find useful. The UAD version retains much of the original analog character but with its own distinct tonal nuances. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether you value the historic tone of the Urei or the unique qualities of the newer models. Each has its own sonic strengths, making them valuable tools for different mixing needs.

The Legendary Urei 1176 Limiting Amplifier

vintagedigital.com.au

The Urei 1176 Limiting Amplifier is a beloved classic that continues to charm audio engineers with its unique sound coloration and versatile compression capabilities. Designed in the late '60s, it remains a go-to for professionals like Chris Lord Alge and Bruce Swedien, thanks to its lightning-fast attack and release times. While modern compressors boast better specs and signal purity, the 1176's characteristic sound, which adds brightness and bite, keeps it relevant. However, its tendency to aggressively handle vocals might not suit every application. Overall, it stands as a remarkable piece of audio legacy with a colorful, signature sound.

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Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jack Johnson uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Jack Johnson

Guitarist, Singer

G.Love and Jack Johnson

...
Verified via Mixonline

Used on the vocals for Sleep Through the Static, as stated by mix engineer Robert Carranza in this February 1, 2008 Mix Online interview.

Vocals went through an API mic pre from the Telefunken | USA U-47 re-issue into the API 512, into an LA-2A and straight into tape. “We used the 1176 every once in a while, not too much; this is more of an LA-2A kind of record. No aggressive stuff.”

See how Mike Campbell uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Mike Campbell

Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Mentioned by recording engineer Richard Dodd in this Sound on Sound interview about the recording of "Learning to Fly".

"One of the amplifiers Mike was using was an open-back Ampeg, and I had a Shure SM57 on that while, to capture some low end, I had the bright idea of also sticking one of those flat PZM microphones onto the amp. It was the Radio Shack mic, not the posh Crown version, and I just blended that in. Being omnidirectional, it gave a little of the environment, and those mics were blended together and went through a Urei 1176. Typically, the pre would be an outboard Neve 1073 or an API, and only things like percussion would use the preamps on the console.

"The same recording method was used for the other guitars, with the exception of the PZM.

See how Air uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Air

Music Producer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

There is also 'modern' audio gear in the racks: two Avalon VT737 input channels, two Chandler Germanium compressors, a Demeter Stereo Tube Direct and two Urei 1176 compressors, along with some vintage Ibanez (AD230), Ensoniq (DP4), Korg (SDD2000) and Roland (SBF325) effects — an essential ingredient of the AIR sound from the beginning. In the studio itself, there's a Yamaha grand piano, a drum kit, a vibraphone, some kalimbas, a Neumann U47 microphone and Godin's collection of guitar and bass amps.

See how Tom Waits uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Tom Waits

Singer, Guitarist

Roy Orbison And Friends

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used for vocals on The Heart of Saturday Night, Small Changes, Foreign Affairs, Blue Valentine and Heartattack and Vine, as stated by producer "Bones" Howe in this February 2004 Sound on Sound interview.

Tom Waits's voice itself is a unique instrument. For that, Howe went back to his old standby, the classic RCA 77 DX ribbon mic. "The 77s have three cardioid settings," he explains. "V1 and V2 were different low-end cutoffs, and 'M' was for music recording. The V1 setting had a high cutoff, which made it good for radio announcing; the V2 position left a lot more low end in there and made it a great vocal microphone." The signal ran through a UREI 1176 compressor/limiter set with what Howe swears are the best parameter settings that can be configured on it for vocals: threshold/attack at 6, release at 7, and a 12:1 compression ratio. "Tom popped and spat a lot when he sang, so the 77 was perfect, because it's very hard to pop that microphone, so you didn't need a pop filter. Plus he liked to get right on the mic, so he would sit at the piano and I hung it from a boom so it would hang down in front of him. On some tracks we'd set it up directly in front of the band and he's stand in front of the drums and sing. On 'Step Right Up' you can almost hear him flipping pages of lyrics. He was always surrounded by the music and the records sound like it. We never used headphones. Never."

A 1176 was also used for vocals on Bone Machine, as stated by engineer Biff Dawes in this February 6, 2015 Mix Online interview.

"Prairie Sun had a lot of good outboard equipment, too,” the engineer continues. “Along with the Neve mic pre’s, I would have also used an LA-2A or 1176 on his vocal.”

See how Jeff Lynne uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Jeff Lynne

Singer, Guitarist

Traveling Wilburys

...
Verified via Mixonline

This MixOnline article states that Lynne owns a UREI1176.

See how Will Champion uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Will Champion

Guitarist, Drummer

Coldplay

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Mentioned by mixing engineer Michael Brauer as being used on "Violet Hill" in this Sound on Sound interview about the production of Viva la Vida & Death and All of His Friends.

Drums: Neve 1083, Urei 1176, ADR Compex, Pye & Chandler EMI compressors

"I put some samples behind the kick and snare. I have built up a collection of a few hundred kicks and snares, so I can try many different types. This is where I spend a lot of time searching for the right sound. I may spend two hours trying to get the drum sound right. This is not to say that the original drum sounds in this track were bad, in fact they were great. So I'm building on top of them, I'm not replacing them. I can't remember the last time I actually replaced a drum sound. I just added a little bit to the kick and snare to enhance them. The snare sound is very important for a song and sometimes I vary it throughout the song, maybe downplaying one of the chorus snares in the verse, but in this particular case the snare sound doesn't change.

"The main drum sound is coming from their snare, which I had up really loud. They had a nice overhead snare sound that already had reverb and stuff on it that was also very important to the sound. The kick and snare both went through my Neve 1083 EQs. I put the room sounds through my great, very vicious, old British Compex compressors. I also put the cymbal room sound through the Compex. The Compex compression makes the sound grainier and more aggressive. The toms, which were really well recorded, went through my stereo Pye compressors to make them more explosive, and were also sent to my stereo 1176 compressors and my Chandler EMI compressors. The 1176 and the Chandler are also explosive, so basically the tom sound was f[***]ing explosive. I maybe added a bit of compression on the hi–hats, and did very little with the mono overheads."

See how Justin Timberlake uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Justin Timberlake

Keyboardist, Guitarist

All Star Tribute

...
Verified via Photo

"The Trash plug-in wasn't the only thing I used on the lead vocals. I also had an outboard MXR flanger on it. Plus there was an outboard compressor, the Urei 1176. I used the same three effects on Timbaland's vocals, just less than on Justin's. But you can hear the flanger and compressor acting in the spaces, like just before Justin sings 'dirty baby'. There's no hiding it, and it creates a whole other dimension of sound," reads this article.

See how Daniel Lanois uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Daniel Lanois

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via Blogtopus Blues

This transcribed interview from the October 1997 issue of Canadian Musician magazine, "Lanois also recommends quite a few compressors: the LA2A, the LA4A, and the 1176 Erie [sic]. 'If you open up your pre-amp quite a bit and you hit one of these compressors, that’ll be a different kind of sound than just going straight onto tape. All of those links on the chain are really important.'"

See how Steve Jordan uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Steve Jordan

Drummer

The Rolling Stones

...
Verified via Mixonline

Used for the bass drum on John Mayer's Continuum, as stated by recording engineer Chad Franscoviak in this October 1, 2006 Mix Online interview. It was the same unit used for Mayer's vocals.

For Mayer's vocal chain, Franscoviak says that most of the songs were recorded with a Neumann U47. For a couple of songs, he sang into a Neumann M269c, and on “I'm Gonna Find Another You,” which was recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis, he sang into Al Green's RCA 77 ribbon mic. From there, the chain included a Neve sidecar stocked with 1073 mic pre's and then a UREI silver-face 1176. “On a couple of songs, we did experiment with splitting his vocals into two channels — one of them would be kind of a clean and one of them would be kind of a gritty — and we would take the second channel and put it through a Fairchild 670 and really crush it,” Franscoviak explains. “Then we would either blend it together or choose one or the other for the mix.

(...) Jordan's assortment of drums — which seemed to be endless, Franscoviak says with a laugh — were miked fairly conventionally: an AKG D 112, an RE20, a 421 or a Beyer M88 on the kick; snares got 57s on top and bottom; M88s on the toms; an AKG 451 on hi-hats; and on overheads, he either used a U67 or U87.

The only trick that Franscoviak used, which he fully admits stealing from Joe Ferla, was putting a Coles 4038 ribbon mic directly over the center of the kit, parallel to the ground and as close in as possible without impeding Jordan's playing. “I generally compressed the snot out of that and I would run it through a Fairchild,” he says. “That's a really interesting trick because you have all of your tight sounds, but you add that 4038 and it makes everything more exciting.”

He also put a U47 about 18 inches off the ground and four to seven feet in front of the kick drum for a very specific sound. “At some point, we were going to hit that low-end waveform just right and it was going to fill that kick drum out,” Franscoviak explains. “I would compress it a lot with an 1176, a lot harder than the overhead, because I wanted that low end to be there for every hit.”

See how Nathan Followill uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Nathan Followill

Drummer

Kings of Leon

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used on the overhead mics for Only by the Night, as stated by producer Jacques King in this December 2008 Sound on Sound interview.

"The overheads were recorded with a Telefunken Elam 251 going through a Neve 1081 preamp/EQ, then an Urei 1176, and then to tape."

See how Waylon Jennings uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Waylon Jennings

Guitarist, Singer

The Highwaymen

...
Verified via Mixonline

"On the whole, the Dreaming My Dreams sessions were cut live. (...) Outboard processing gear at Glaser Sound included UREI 1176 and LA-2A compression, and a Pandora digital delay that [studio engineer Kyle] Lehning says may have been used on this album ('but definitely not on vocals')."

See how Andy Gill uses Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier

Andy Gill

Guitarist

Gang of Four

...
Verified via Photo

In this article, Andy's drum micing technique is explained. "The kick drums and snare were close-miked from various angles and sent through a variety of compressors (UREI 1176, dbx 160, and a PYE model from the ’60s)."

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 Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Neumann U47
Neumann U47 Condenser Microphones
6
Neumann U87
Neumann U87 Condenser Microphones
6
AMS Neve 1073
AMS Neve 1073 Preamps & Channel Strips
6
Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
6
Neumann U67
Neumann U67 Condenser Microphones
4
Audio Ease Altiverb 7
4
AMS Neve 33609
AMS Neve 33609 Effects Processors
3

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