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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
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What type of compression does the Urei 1176 use?
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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.
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Is the Urei 1176 suitable for vocal recording?
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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.
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How many channels does the Urei 1176 have?
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The Urei 1176 is a mono compressor with one analog input and one analog output, designed for processing a single channel at a time.
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Can the Urei 1176 be used for stereo applications?
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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.
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What is the main advantage of using a Urei 1176 for drum processing?
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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.
Videos
Doctor Mix
Urei 1176 Compressor In Action
Urei 1176 Compressor In Action
Doctor Mix
The UREI 1176 LN makes your guitar sound instantly Classic, Vintage and Amazing!!
Johan Segeborn
Vintage Urei 1176LN Peak Limiter | VintageKing.com
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
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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.
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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.
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The 1176's attack and release knobs operate in reverse, with 1 being slowest and 7 fastest, which is unique compared to most compressors.
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The 1176 naturally biases its compression ratio against transient sustains, allowing the initial attack to remain punchy while compressing the tails more heavily.
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The 1176 has a faster attack for transients/high frequencies due to a resistor and capacitor in parallel, allowing transients to pass through quickly.
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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
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The "all-in mode" is praised for parallel compression, allowing for enhanced snap on drums and other instruments without overwhelming the mix.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Users find the UAD 1176 plugin to closely replicate the hardware sound, especially compared to the MC77, offering similar tonal characteristics across channels.
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User experience
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Owners report that the 1176 excels in quick setup scenarios, achieving desired compression effects rapidly without the need for extensive parameter adjustments.
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Mods and upgrades
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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.
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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
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Used for the guitar on Mosquitos, as stated by co-producer Joe Chiccarelli in this November 20, 2020 Mix Online interview.
Chiccarelli brought along some of his own equipment, as well: Focusrite and Neve preamps, UREI 1176 and LA2A compressors, a pair of Tannoy SGM10B monitors, and various microphones. (...) On guitars Ridgway and Chiccarelli used a Neumann U87 or Shure SM57 going into the producer’s Focusrite 115 preamps and 1176 or LA3A compression.
In this article it says
"He says that he compresses the track heavily and boosts its low end at somewhere between 80Hz and 100Hz on during the recording. For this particular track the input was compressed with a hardware LA-2A. Greg says he’ll often squash it more during the mix. He suggests compressors (or their plug-in equivalents) such as a UREI 1176, an Empirical Labs Distressor, or a Teletronix LA-2A."
"Modern preamps sit next to classic UREI 1176 compressors."
In this YouTube video at 2:54, the Urei 1176 can be seen in Tom's rack, but not using in this especifc mix.
In the YouTube video "わーだーさんのスタジオ訪問記〜NK SOUND TOKYO編〜【ニラジ・カジャンチ Neeraj khajanchi】" by 作曲家・和田貴史の庭, Neeraj Khajanchi is shown using the Urei 1176 Classic Limiting Amplifier in his studio, NK SOUND TOKYO. This iconic effects processor, originally designed by Bill Putnam Sr., is renowned for its use in recordings by artists like Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson.
Used for the vocals on The Seldom Seen Kid: Live at Abbey Road, as mentioned by producer Rupert Flindt in this 2009 Sound on Sound interview.
"Once you get a load of multiple mics out, compression becomes a real beast, because it alters spill continually. With a multitracked rock recording, you can compress things perfectly for each track, but the minute you've got two compressors going in the same room on two mics, when this guy plays his level's there — fine — he stops playing, whoop, up goes his gain and the spill floods across, so all sorts of weirdnesses happen. You'll find this if you're doing a vocal and a guitar: if you start putting in your standard vocal compression, when you stop singing, the guitar sound goes weird. So in this show there was a limited amount of compression. I used Al Smart C2 on kick and snare, mono on each, I used Urei 1176s on the vocals, and a little bit of desk compression on the keyboard parts — really as a safety net, because live keyboard players can be unpredictable."
Album Usage
The Urei Universal Audio 1176LN Rev. H Limiting Amplifier has been featured on the following albums:
Hackney Diamonds
The Rolling Stones (2023)
Superwolves
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Matt Sweeney (2021)
Beam Me Up Scotty
Nicki Minaj (2021)
LONER
Caroline Rose (2018)
Biophilia (Live)
Björk (2014)
Every Breath You Take (KHURSOR Remix)
Sting & Sting (2014)
Volume 3
She & Him (2013)
Havoc and Bright Lights
Alanis Morissette (2012)
Duets II
Tony Bennett (2011)
The Seldom Seen Kid (Live At Abbey Road)
Elbow (2009)
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon (2008)
Sleep Through The Static
Jack Johnson (2008)
Violet Hill
Coldplay (2008)
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Coldplay (2008)
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Foo Fighters (2007)
Icky Thump
The White Stripes & Jack White & Jack White (2007)
Volta
Björk (2007)
Continuum
John Mayer (2006)
Demon Days
Gorillaz (2005)
Gorillaz
Gorillaz (2001)
Brand New Day
Sting & Sting (1999)
OK Computer
Radiohead (1997)
My Life
Mary J. Blige (1994)
Mosquitos
Stan Ridgway (1989)
Who Are You
The Who (1978)
Dreaming My Dreams
Waylon Jennings (1975)
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.
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