The 1176 Compressor - It's Kind Of Strange And Beautiful (hardware vs. software)

The 1176 Compressor is such an important part of modern recording. Here we'll listen to a hardware 1176 and some plugin emulations.
The hardware version in this video I built using the original schematics with NOS components. It's not an original unit, but it's as close as I'll ever get. If you're interested in making your own, there are a few DIY kits available - my recommendation is the Hairball 1176.
Here is what I used to make mine:
Schematic:
www.gyraf.dk/gy_pd/1176/1176s...
Enlcosure:
www.hairballaudio.com/catalog...
#1176 #hardware #plugin

[@chizzulwinduh1941]

there is a depth of field to the hardware that neither plugs presented.

[@jaymichaelhardenmusicpage8226]

Friggin’ awesome!!

[@abhisheksrivastava3787]

I want to compare against hardware processed, UAD's plugin processed and raw files. It will be very helpful so that users can compare their choice of plugins. E.g. i want to do Slate's 1176 against hardware. So please.....

[@owlwoodsouth]

I made this video a while back, not sure I still have all of those files but I can take a look.

[@SPITRECORDINGS]

to me the hardware sounds like it is compressing the whole frequency range, in a more musical way. I can hear a bunch of woofy low mids that the plugin is not taming as much. Hardware just sounds more natural

[@richiefamus8778]

Hardware consistently sounds fuller with better depth than plugins. Plugins do capture the tone, but can’t fully match the real thing at this point.

[@qualaup]

Hardware is slightly more transparant to my ears...