Pulsar have just brought the urei 1178 into the modern era.. and it actually sounds like it to!!

PULSAR 1178 COMPRESSOR PLUGIN SHOOTOUT vs ACCESS ANALOG 1176 HARDWARE & TONE EMPIRE GOLIATH
Pulsar audio have released a plugin emulation of the urei 1178 stereo compressor - pulsar.audio/c...
We are also doing a plugin comparison of tone-empire.co...
Also check out the hardware universal audio 1176 here
accessanalog.c...
A compressor that eats transients for breakfast, the 1178 is a rare and expensive legend of the recording studio, cleaner and more versatile than its older brother, the 1176. The 1178 has been used by great producers including Chris Lord-Alge (My Chemical Romance), Bob Clearmountain (Rolling Stones, Christina Aguilera), Yvan Bing (Phil Collins) and Nigel Godrich (Radiohead).
Our 1178 software (VST/VST3/AU/AAX) meticulously recreates the original 1178 hardware in its tonal color and compression character.
But we’ve taken the Pulsar 1178 further than the original unit, adding all the features you would expect from a modern, versatile plug-in, including a full sidechain EQ for added control, an optional saturation stage for warmth and character, and precise metering.
Pulsar 1178 has a fast and bright character, making it great for dealing with unruly transients in tracking and mixing. While these qualities make it the ideal choice to smash the transients of a drum room to get a nasty rocky bounce, the extended attack range also allows gentle dynamic contouring, and can provide unique mid-band definition and intelligibility on a vocal.
1178 Main Rack
When it comes to compression, having more control over the sidechain signal can bring a mix to the next level. The dynamics of a drum groove hinge on how compression is triggered by both the kick drum and the snare. With Pulsar 1178’s full-featured sidechain EQ section, you can make each one hit just the right amount of gain reduction.
1178 EQ
Keeping an eye on dynamics is key to a well balanced mix. Pulsar 1178’s accurate and modern metering section helps in this important task. Peak meters allow insight into overall dynamics; RMS meters let you monitor loudness and match levels; and a scrolling view helps visualize how the attack and release settings are affecting the gain reduction.
Add grit and drive to the usually-transparent 1178 with four flavors of saturation: Tape, Triode, Warm and Clip modes open up new ways of managing dynamics and spectral envelope. These modes are fully-integrated in the compressor’s gain reduction system, allowing a unique vibe, unachievable with pre or post saturations.
We are also comparing that to Tone empire goliath.
Goliath, our top-selling plugin is back in a brand new avatar with a completely new sound engine and new features.
This plugin now has 4 types of Saturation models - Alloy, Tube, Tape & Vinyl with Drive. We now use our Advanced DSP models featuring our own proprietary “Multi Convolution” & Component Modelling Technique to simulate “Real” hardware chains of analog gear. Additionally, the plugin now features a full FET compressor in its envelope section and a 3 band EQ plus a Low Cut Filter.
This is an analog processing chain featuring the famous British neve 1081 sound which has characteristics of its transformer made of Nickel, Iron, Steel.
This gives you a taste of that clean silky analog processing.
DRIVE Control: This controls lets you “drive” the analog chain selected for its respective saturation characteristics. The levels remain the same, hence there will be no need to keep reaching for that output control.
Go from a light touch of the analog chain to full-on driven saturation by hitting the signal hard. You control our sound!
Env-EQ MIX: Use this control to dial back the amount of Envelope and EQ used by parallel mixing in the signal from the analog chain before the Env-EQ sections. This acts as a kind of dry/wet control for the ENV-EQ.
ENVELOPE SECTION:
ON/OFF Switch: Engage or bypass the Envelope Section.
The Envelope Section features an 1176 style FET compressor with controls for Threshold and fixed controls for Ratio, Attack Time & Release Time. The Attack, Release, and Ratios were carefully chosen to be applicable to a vast variety of materials. Drums to Pianos or Vocals, you can throw anything at this compressor and it will lightly control or aggressively grab the sound!
Threshold: Controls the threshold for the Envelope to kick into action.
Attack: Preprogrammed fixed Attack times going from Fast to Slow.
Release: Preprogrammed fixed Release times going from Fast to Slow.
Ratio: Fixed ratios ranging from 2:1 to “ALL Buttons In” (Smashing ratio).
tube mode is thermonic culture solo vulture
Here we have used the ATR - 700 Tape Recorder at 15ips to capture that warmth and compression of Tape. Immediately hear your transients being “warmed” up and also get third-order harmonic saturation.

[@PaulThird]

As a side note pulsar and tone empire both utilising X8 internal oversampling.. Also let me know what you think and consider hitting that join button so you can become more involved with mixing wednesdays and support the channel 🤓

[@POGFROGULPOP]

Cheers Paul. Great shootout. Yeah it's such a shame that still to this day, the majority of modern digital plugins don't get as deep on the low end bass extension, as analog hardware units. Would be interested to learn about plugins that can simulate it, although old school studios seem to resort to using actual analog transformers and/or record to actual tape.

[@PaulThird]

Honestly try out the TimP comps for that analog low end. Those are the only plugs I've found that can do it. He has an 1176 but I've not tried it out yet 😱 only downside is that you need to own nebula to use his plugs 😅

[@POGFROGULPOP]

@@PaulThird I do have Nebula N4/ most Acustica, a few TimP plugins. Unfortunately my old Cheese grater computer CPU doesn't cope with the extra processing required, so waiting on a desktop Apple silicon to come out first, before I can be off to the races.

[@PaulThird]

Yeah I've heard quite a few people investing in the apple silicon recently 🤓

[@JustinNathanielAdams]

Yaaasss! I'm always down for a good old fashioned plugin shootout; especially from my current favorite audio/mixing channel.

[@PaulThird]

🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@boblowmixes2636]

Just got Pulsar yesterday, can't wait to try it out!

[@PaulThird]

Let me know how you get on 🤓

[@jmizzbeatsj-jigga7888]

Pulsar is hella nice was playing with it yesterday testing it. Was a lil learning curve but figure it out its real reaL nice

[@PaulThird]

Yeah totally.. it took me an afternoon just to figure out how to properly use it haha 😅

[@jmizzbeatsj-jigga7888]

@@PaulThird 🤣🤣🤣hecks yhea i was like why the hell I don't hear a difference at first you got to basically mess with the eq to get things going

[@PaulThird]

Absolutely. Being honest the slate 1176 sounds amazing out the box but there is more versatility with the pulsar when you know how to properly use it. It's just whether the time you need to take is worth it vs a quality straight out the box 1176 plugin

[@jmizzbeatsj-jigga7888]

@@PaulThird oh hell yhea im infused this pulsar with the slate black 1176 my slate always in the submix vocal bus with Acoustica.

[@johnisrael5183]

On Bass just use Pulsar with Acustica Audio TAUPETAPE B3 MCI TAPEMACHINE

[@mrnelsonius5631]

Pro-tip on the Pulsar: the knee feels a bit softer at certain ratios compared to other 76 style comps. If you want the sound of an 1176 at 4:1, try the 78 at 8:1. I was disappointed at first with the Pulsar and as soon as I discovered this I was like “it can do a 76 AND smoother applications!” It’s a really beautifully designed compressor

[@PaulThird]

Yeah it is a very versatile FET compressor I'll give them that 👌

[@emiliano_s]

I tried it, and i helped Pulsar for solve a little bug with old MacPro Xeon CPU. Now i'm testing it hard, and at the moment i can't hear the deepth and 3d sensation. I don't know if i'll buying it at the moment. Maybe in some cases it can be help and yes, is most versately compressor on the market near Fabfilter C2 (more transparent) I'm taking a decision in the next days. Great video!

[@PaulThird]

🤓🤓

[@edukacja2485]

that differences in saturation between pulsar and goliath is so huge... I've never thought tone empire plugins are any good, but this... this is amazing! can you make part 2 of this video, comparing pulsar to purple audio mc77 and overloud comp 76?

[@PaulThird]

im kinda done with the pulsar now but I do plan on doing another video with the goliath. Possibly comparing its saturation modes against its competition or hardware if access analog has it

[@PaulThird]

Uses convolution sampling too which is quite interesting

[@RJ1J]

Nice video Paul! For me the Pulsar flattens the sound (2D), making it lifeless and less rich, like the company's Vari Mu compressor which I compared to several other similar Vari Mu compressors. Like so many cheaper analogue emulations plugs, unlike the top end of AA, Softube and UAD (Unisum also) plugs, this one doesn't cut it for me. For example, check out Softube's newly released Mike-E compressor - way ahead IMHO. I realise that an analogue sound isn't necessary to make good music tracks!!

[@PaulThird]

Yeah I plan on shooting out the new softube vs the access analog hardware very soon 🤓

[@ownedbymykitty270]

@@PaulThird do you agree with Just_Think’s assessment of the Pulsar? Everyone else seem to be praising it. Btw, I used to like Softube but their Tape plugin has often disappointed me.

[@PaulThird]

I'd agree in the lows. Quite 2D in comparison but It's the hardest thing for plugins to recreate. Overall in the plugin I think in the look behind mode and also utilising the clipper you can achieve more 3D character or depth compared to other 76 plugin emulations. In terms of the harmonics I think Pulsar did a very good job in my opinion but it's all subjective. That new softube Mike-e on the other hand. That's a different kind of gravy. I actually prefer it to the distressor hardware in my video.

[@JoeyFTL]

Hey man, really like the content, subbed. How does this compare to the Plugin Alliance Purple Audio MC77 in your mind?

[@PaulThird]

I'd say this wins comfortably. It's the added options the pulsar gives you. Not only does it very closely emulate the tone of the 76 but the sidechain eq, look ahead and behind as well as the saturation modes give you the versatility that the rest can't give you. I used the purple for years so I can't deny it's still a great 76 plug but the pulsar is a step forward I'd say. You'll get 10x more uses out of the pulsar

[@albertorolon137]

Men 1176 all the way....👍👍👍

[@PaulThird]

🤘🤘🤘

[@eaccin]

Hi Paul, great videos you've been putting out! What's your go to compressor for bass right now?

[@PaulThird]

Either AA super comp within the camel suite or one of the chandler comps in the coffee suite. However still to compare those to the TimP comps within a mix so I can see that possibly changing haha 😅

[@eaccin]

@@PaulThird haha cool! Got Camel here but not coffee. I'll try it on bass. Got almost everything from AA and Tim P and sometimes I get lost with the amount os choices :p Been using Tim P RA6 lately and it's awesome. Thanks for the tip, keep it up!

[@PaulThird]

🤓🤓🤓

[@jakegideon5249]

I think I've settled on the PA Purple Audio MC77 as my favorite "1176" plugin. I love that thing. Your video did make me think I should upgrade to Goliath V2 though. It's basically a completely different plugin than V1. Have you checked out the NoiseAsh Neve channel strip? Curious what you would think of it compared to the Lindell.

[@PaulThird]

Yeah goliath v2 from v1 is basically a brand new plugin utilising convolution sampling as well as giving you more compression control. Is the noiseAsh neve not just a console eq compared to a channel strip? I thought it was the 31103 neve eq 🤔.. However it did also have the preamp if I recall so would work as well for the neve comparison 🤓

[@jakegideon5249]

@@PaulThird You're right. I had the pre in mind, but it's just the EQ. I would be extremely interested in hearing a shootout between the NoiseAsh, the Lindell, Gold 4, and maybe the Arturia. Not all exactly the same, but definitely the same lineage. RIP Rupert. 😞

[@PaulThird]

There's soooo many alternatives 😅😅

[@electrifried]

Nice!Have you tried the Korneff audio Pawn shop comp?What do you think about it?Thanks!!

[@PaulThird]

Yeah got a shootout with pawn shop. Very punchy and loads of great tones with all the circuitry options and stuff. Just a bit pricey for me

[@electrifried]

@@PaulThird Got it early for 50euros or something!I really like it!!Thanks Paul!!!

[@PaulThird]

Great stuff!! I would've bought it at that price 🤓

[@electrifried]

@@PaulThird :) I`m glad i did!!Cheers!!

[@Vwrrwvu]

Pulsar VS 1176: I feel like there's a bit more compression going on with the 1176; the transients blend better into the rest of the signal (oxymoron, but faster, smoother attack) whereas the Pulsar, while getting the tonality JUST ABOUT right, leaves the vocal sounding a less thinner in the mids, more transient-focused and as you said, with less low end. The Pulsar is impressive as far as the tone goes, but doesnt quiiite get the thickess of the hardware down. That could probably be remedied by using a fast-attack, transparent comp like Kotelnikov in series with the Pulsar though.

[@PaulThird]

That's interesting.. Never even considered chaining it with another compressor to get it closer to the hardware 🤓

[@Vwrrwvu]

@@PaulThird pretty common with vox etc, chaining a fast attack comp (opto etc) compressing a little with a slower one such as opto to reduce pumping etc

[@PaulThird]

Yeah I do that with the neold v76u73b (fast) going into a slower titanium (cl1b) for poppier stuff or la2a/sta level for a more aggressive vocal I meant more the idea of using the kotelnikov also set fast to get closer the hardware

[@Vwrrwvu]

@@PaulThird fair enough as the 1176 is also fast. Idk if that actually works though, I haven't tried the combo I suggested there; it takes a very transparent compressor to go from the Pulsar's result to that of the 1176. Again, killer results with the Pulsar alone if tone is your main concern, the hardware just seems to do that while retaining the lows and bringing the mids out in a way that just feels right. Idk how to explain it really, that's the same thing that happens when I compare most LA-2A emulations with the hardware.

[@PaulThird]

Yup that's why Tim Pethericks la2a really set the bar for me. The only la2a I've compared to the hardware that not only gets the low end of the UA hardware but actually gives me more options to take it further. It is possible in plugins but unsure if its an algorithm thing or whatever. I'm not entirely sure. It's always that low mid clear 3D hit that I hear from analog. Always interests me why it's so hard to recreate

[@ramspencer5492]

For the Bass, the 1776 has more harmonic distortion......I'm thinking True Iron might be a great compliment to try and get that low-end harmonic distortion in there....Or maybe the BlackBox plugin......I do like Tone Empire's saturation mojo in general......but it doesn't really sound like an analog 1776... The 1778 plugin really is doing compression well, IMO. Why not feed saturation into the 1778 plugin? Much better compression behavior.....or use these two together

[@PaulThird]

Yeah tone empire has great vibe but different. That's twice somebody has mentioned the true iron and I've still never tried it out 😅 The pulsar has a lot of versatility but it's a bit of a 'thinking mans' compressor for me where I don't like to over think compression as I use them more for tone boxes as well as compression. However can totally see this being the perfect compressor for so many engineers.

[@Zenvo-uu9tm]

1776 was the year of declaration of independence. It has nothing to do with compression

[@brianmartin6729]

it would be cool if you had shown us the settings (GUI) of the pulsar bevor comparing. Your look behind settings are very good ...

[@PaulThird]

If I recall the vocal look behind setting was full look behind (20ms?) and the the drum look behind was just a touch. Not a lot. On drums you'll hear the effect almost instantaneously

[@brianmartin6729]

@@PaulThird The drum setting was shown for a short time in the video. :) It was 10ms look behind. but what was the side chain eq in the vocal setting. low-cut and some other frequencies? I own this plug in for some days and love it, but i don't realize that the look behind is useful. thanx.

[@Zenvo-uu9tm]

Hey Paul It's eleven seventy six, not sex Thanks for video

[@PaulThird]

Not in my house 😜😂

[@ogopainc.cc.2739]

@@PaulThird 🤣

[@deja0entendu]

Have you ever done a shootout of Kush stuff?

[@PaulThird]

Twice. Silika and AR1. I do plan on more though this year 🤓

[@MixedByDotRob]

Thanks for this shootout! Very interesting. Still nothing can beat a hardware 1176 ;-) I think that the Pulsar is a bit uneven too (as a vocal compressor) - it seems not to do the magic 1176 levelling making all syllables nice and even.

[@PaulThird]

Going back to it I probably could have used the sidechain and ducked the peaks a little more but all the tweaking takes away from the magic of a 76.. Which is attack, release, input, output.. Job done. Pulsar is a thinking mans compressor which is the opposite of a urei which is a quick set and grab

[@foxytv4896]

Well, the 1178 doesn't have transformers, which already is (big) subtle difference!

[@PaulThird]

Didn't know that. Wonder why it doesn't have transformers 🤔

[@mrnelsonius5631]

This is true, and I think it’s why Pulsar added the saturation stage. Gives me a good excuse to throw Kazrog True Iron right after the 1178 (I like throwing that one everywhere 😂)

[@PaulThird]

I'm still to try out the true iron. Think it would be better than the goliath?

[@kadiummusic]

A bit more sheen and character with the Goliath to me.

[@PaulThird]

🤓🤓

[@kadiummusic]

Thanks for the review, came to look at the Pulsar and have ended up buying the Goliath on Plugin Boutique for £23! 😎

[@PaulThird]

Good price 💪💪

[@kadiummusic]

@@PaulThird Yeah, just running it over a Stayin' Alive loop and it's wonderful. Have you used or seen the Urban Puncher by United Plugins? I've got it running just before the Goliath and it sounds amazing, great little tool for adding depth and character.

[@thisscottishaspie5961]

🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓

[@PaulThird]

Remember to check out my autism channel if you want to find out more about my life 🤓

[@stupidusername38]

regarding Tone Empire did you know they do a compressor called 5000 which is a hybrid of API 2500 and an SSL bus comp?

[@PaulThird]

Yeah I've got it but just looking into doing a shootout with the 5000 but just have to think about the best way to do it as it's ssl and api

[@PharaohLawLess1]

That Modern 5000 plugin from Tone Empire is a beast

[@stupidusername38]

in that vocal snippet shootout the vocal 1176 does a much better job at taming the a-WAY vocal, whereas with the pulsar 1178 in feed forward or backward it is still more prominent and un-tamed.

[@PaulThird]

The look behind does a much better job but I think on reflection I could have utilised the sidechain more to clamp down on those peaks. I could see them so maybe a wider q would have tamed that 'away' a bit more. I had that bit nailed but then utilised the clipper which added more 3d character but also emphasised the mids so maybe could have hit the side chain a bit harder on those mid peaks and would've got even closer.