Ultimate 1176 SHOOTOUT - Vintage vs New vs Plugins!! 🤯

[@ColtCapperrune]

YES the Blue Stripe is actually level matched. That’s how different the character of this compressor is. Hope you all enjoyed this one!!

[@EirikHasselberg]

But you still prefer the 176 over the 1176'es for many things (think you said so in another video a while ago)?

[@tobiaskagstrom]

That's interesting. It sounds more like they are peak level matched and not RMS/LUFS matched.

[@caspermaster-com]

They are not level matched according to my 3 second rms meter (lufs ish) And my ears. They differ about 6 db from blue to new on female. Great video though. I can use my monitor controller. You can maybe lufs normalize the takes in the video edit for the future :)

[@stevenrozier6407]

I think you would have enjoyed the revB more if you'd just got a little bit louder into it and matched the release time better by slowing it down a touch but I guess you tried. Level matching is off for the revB, but it doesn't matter. Anyway that was nice to hear the current production model sounds that great too.

[@progpowermetalhour]

Didn't like the vintage blue stripe because I could hear the compressor clamping down on the vocals. Thought the vintage 1176n would require more de-essing later on than the new hardware or even the plugins.

[@summerfazed]

You can turn up the Blue Stripe processed vocals as loud as you want and it won't hurt your ears.

[@jayclas4023]

The plugins sound just fine and I’m perfectly happy mixing with them. Glad I purchased them.

[@officialWWM]

As a hobbyist recorder who pretty much mostly just records myself, the software versions sound close enough for me. There’s a lot of other things I could spend 15k on…or even 3k for the current one.

[@davidbmixing]

Yeah, $15k will get you some of the best speakers in the world and you would still have a few thousand left. Personally I think within the context of a dense mix, those small differences will never matter enough to justify using anything more than a great plug-in. A lot of them can be compensated for with EQ and saturation.

[@ColtCapperrune]

Most definitely, I’ve discussed this in multiple videos on the channel, you always have to attack your weakest link for your next purchase. Every time I have cash ready to make a purchase I evaluate every single part of what I do, and the next purchase is always the item that will make the biggest difference in what I do. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisdover8507]

@@ColtCapperrune what’s on your wish list?

[@benjaminmagambo3849]

Even if the plug-ins get the job done and the difference is not that exorbitant, the price difference being considered, I still think that the hardwares sound more organic, more beautiful. They have a 3D kind of feel

[@officialWWM]

@@benjaminmagambo3849 that may be so but is it worth the extra money? It’s not to me! I’ll bet anyone listening to your music will never tell the difference either!

[@Jackson-zh2xc]

You opened up a whole new outlook on compression with the 1176 vocal compression video colt, I’ve learned so much from you. Thanks for all the videos you’ve put out! You’re the first mixer I’ve truly idolised and taken after. I sit on the edge of my seat waiting for your videos- something I do for no one else!

[@ColtCapperrune]

Really appreciate the kind words!! Glad the videos are helping you!

[@onethousandtwonortheast8848]

New revision was the most favored to me. For special uses, the bottom black face excelled. Glad I saw this video.

[@TroyCastellano]

Dang. I think the current production model is the ticket across the board!

[@sillyness3456]

The current model really sounds amazing. A pair of these would be an absolute dream to use on a drum room. Or any stereo room in general.

[@Funkybassuk]

To my untrained ear the Rev F sounded incredible on all the vocals. Blue stripe was the best on kick and snare for me. Current production model on acoustic guitar for me. Strangely, I didn’t like any on bass!

[@LBJedi]

I think this shows that a piece of hardware does not make a legend, but the artists do.

[@TheMixClub]

I think i like the Blue Strip. It's so smooth but they all sound killer.. They all have characteristics i love. Thanks for taking the time to create this.

[@angusbrown2712]

NEWBIE HERE COLT AND IM SO HAPPY TO WATCH YOUR CHANNEL !! 6 Months in and I'm so glad I invested in UAD X4 Interface & some of there top plugins . As a country Singer Im learning Lots of great ways to become really good at Studio One Pro Mixing with Digital Plugins and I've picked up Pro Q3 watching you . I hope to make the Analog Hybrid Move down the road . Thx So Must !!!

[@monroe9913]

Yo thank you so much for doing this for everybody. This is the first time in a shootout that I could really start pin pointing how the hardware version is different than the software. It has more depth and organic interaction throughout the sound. The plugins are amazing, but they are way more consistent to my ear. They don’t change slightly throughout the different areas of compression and they lack some quality of “depth” which I have no clue how to recreate. So I better get to work to grab that 1176!! THANKS AGAIN COLT

[@producerdanieldennis]

Great shootout!! Current 1176 hardware production was my favorite. And UA did a killer job with the plug-ins, those all sounded great, and a good reminder for me to use the AE version more 😁

[@ColtCapperrune]

I agree! Thanks for watching man!

[@NRVE8]

Yall going to hate me but.. I think the modern model plugin sounded the best on everything.

[@ruutube2483]

@@NRVE8 i wish i did!

[@jimturner5800]

Glad you mentioned the attack release difference. It was so obvious on the vocal . First thing I noticed.

[@jonasfrenzel7314]

I am surprised, that the Plugins sound so different from the Hardware! I mean, they are close, but still don't have such a nice character as the Hardware! Also I honestly prefer the sound of the newest 1176 over all the vintage models! The way it compresses the signal sounds just very creamy, and also the nice top end it has is amzing!

[@stayinspired2027]

I agreee with this guy man, kinda want a new 1176 UA own a WA-76 and the UAD bundle

[@johnnywalkerguitar]

man, I think I agree with you.... the new version just has a little more presence to my ears. Good stuff man.

[@cliffprowse3341]

I’d love to see/hear a shoot out of a WA-76, Klark Teknik 1176 against your UA-1176

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

THIS^^

[@lukedore7072]

that blue stripe on the kick and snare was wild. love that sound. great video man

[@velvetsound]

Great comparison, in particular as a follow up to your last 1176 how-to video (which was just amazing). I picked up the Audioscape 1176 D a couple of months ago, and based on this review, it sounds “most like” the current / new UAD hardware unit.

[@ColtCapperrune]

Bad ass! Congrats!

[@tonycannatamusic]

Bluestripe has a midcut, so the harshness doesn’t come through, sounds nice, but any would do, just cut the mids and your there. No need to spend 15k, the rev H is nice too!

[@tommyottobisdee]

Got to commend you on being the first KZbinr to finally teach what I'm actually supposed to be doing with an 1176 on anything other than drums lol! Your vocal compression video was a revelation quite honestly! I would love it if you went through all the VST plugin versions from across the plug-in brand spectrum with a quick opinion on each one though, no shootouts needed, I respect your opinion way more than KZbin compressed audio demo stems. I may know how to compress vocals with an 1176 now because of you, but I still get a little baffled by how different all the software versions sound in comparison to each other, for example I own the T Racks 5, Pulsar 1178, Black Rooster Fet, Waves CLA, various Acustica Audio convolution versions, PSP Wind mini-version, countless hybrid Fet/1176 units like the Kush plug-ins... and yet I find that the sound varies so wildly, that I'd actually call some utter rubbish, and others great compressors but just not necessary in the "76" type of style.... I've been on the fence about buying the Plugin Alliance version for months because I thought it sounded amazing on bass guitar (despite no oversampling) - but it seems ridiculous to me to buy another one when I already own more than I can count lol! A bit of advice from a wise old sage like you would be just the ticket! : )

[@AlexPriceMusician]

Yep, the new 76 had me on just about every sample.

[@keithrichards4296]

wow the plugs are SERIOUS stuff. hands down, UA nailed it.

[@FernandoLopez-gf2sr]

Great demo. There are lot of things that you cannot listen in a KZbin demo, but in your studio you can ear. I have hardware and software, and each time and every times the hardware sounds a lot better, bigger, clearer, depper, and wider than with plugins.

[@coldskoolbeatz]

Through my youtube ears, you can't go wrong with any of them. It really depends on your taste, but they all sound really, really good!

[@entity9588]

Blue stripe hardware pushes the sound back a bit because of the dampened highs. It's really smooth though and doesn't have that digital high end sound. I could see how that could be useful to push something back slightly in a mix but have that 1176 sound. I like the new version the best overall. I'd like to heard the hardware Purple MC77 in a shootout vs the UA 1176's

[@tab2072]

I prefer my Purple Audio to all the 1176’s I’ve tried. Pretty mid-forward in a very pleasing way. Also find myself using the MC77 plug-in over others too, interestingly.

[@nicdee316]

Because of the dampened highs definitely, though my guess is, the slight grit/smearing of the attack transients also makes it (well, whatever goes through it) sound a little less forward. And yeah, I agree it could be used to push something a tad back in the mix, while the clarity and top end openness of the current production one would be a boon for lead parts that need to be up front.

[@entity9588]

@@tab2072 Oh nice. I've wanted to get a hardware MC77. My favorite 1176 plugin is the Overloud Comp76.

[@lancetownsend6226]

I brought in my warm audio 11-76 to my school to compare it to a vintage UA bluestripe and a modern UA 11-76 LN we had in the SSL room. Not only was there a dramatic difference (especially with higher ratios), but in very high ratios the warm audio straight up made the signal sound worse. Almost metallic. And Shrill. I sold my warm audio unit 🤣. I found it very interesting and I always love hearing comparisons Like this

[@brianwynn10]

Do you have a Instagram what would you say a good vocal chain ?

[@natura808]

@@brianwynn10Depends on your budget

[@natura808]

I’ve heard same metallic shrill from KlarkTeknic 1176 even on KZbin demos… good to know about the Warm

[@lortakeover2129]

What equipment do you like the most with vocal

[@lancetownsend6226]

@@lortakeover2129 chandler rs660. I’ve never heard a plugin that can do the thing that the rs660 does so effortlessly

[@jayo.4039]

You have the best sponsors UAD and Sweetwater 👌

[@ciscofuentes1428]

I didn't think I would hear a big difference between the plugs and the hardware, but WOW. The LN v the plug in is so much more weighted and smooth to me. Like really noticeably better IMO. The vintage not as big, surprisingly. 🤙🏽💯

[@Firetracks]

I actually loved the blue on the kick and snare! Love the punch on the first one! Great vid broski! Thanks!💪🏾🙏🏾🤟🏾

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

Thank you for taking the time to do this Shoot-Out! I agree the New 1176 Hardware. George Amodei

[@LightsandMotion]

Have you tried the Black Lion Audio´s Bluey that' supposedly is a clone of CLA´s bluestripe?

[@ancientsadness]

I actually loved the character of the blue stripe on everything, it just felt more natural and musical to me. That being said I thought all the examples sounded amazing & it really put into perspective how much you can do with the tools at your disposal. The subtle differences really are just like painting with different brushes, or playing different guitars/amps, etc. Sometimes seeing something that you already know explained in such a clear & interesting way really gives you a new sense of clarity. I'm definitely excited to see what I can do with what I already own & not worry about the small differences in buying more expensive gear (for the moment, ha ha). Thanks for taking the time to make such a great video! Top quality as always. Have a great Christmas Colt :)

[@aleksamrkela831]

Rev A is my favorite of these three! :D For some reason, most 1176s always sounded pinched to my ears, especially at high gain reduction. The saturation of the Blue Stripe is something that really brings the lead vocal forward quite a bit more than the blackfaces. Needless to say, the Blue Stripe is my favorite for lead vocals.

[@Crofeye]

very interesting to see, thank you for your contribution. For the type of music I produce, the UAD plugins are completely sufficient for me.

[@kennethdaniels]

Current production sounded the best to me on almost all sources, but that REV F was beautiful.

[@JustinConenna]

Thank you so much for sharing this Colt! I think this is incredibly valuable especially for some of us who may have never had a chance to use some of those amazing vintage compressors. What really stands out to me is the UAD Plug-Ins are as close to the hardware as possible, and I think you really can’t go wrong with a current production 1176 because it sounded incredible as well as everything else.

[@techsquirrel]

Really good comparison run. Nice job! Really useful to hear the software against the hardware. Love that Blue Stripe!

[@vincenttam8642]

Great shootout, Overall I like the UA Blue 1176 (hardware) the most. The saturation added creaminess to the vocals is really pleasant, in some cases maybe a little bit too much but I still really really like it. The current production sound more full range, sharp and crisp, I like it on drums more, it sounds tighter and less boomy but the blue does sound bigger.

[@mrmorpheus9707]

That new revision kicks ass! I have black lions bluey..

[@sabineandkennii]

I was thinking the whole time, which you addressed at the end, that this video would have been a TON of work....it's a great shoot out though, and I personally appreciate you taking the time to this and compare all these things together so well. You are right about the hardware blue stripe sounding so different on kick and snare, and for that reason, it was my favorite on those sources, as it really had a much more full and solid low end...and it is strange that it was so different on percussive stuff whereas it was more like the others on everything else. It has a very special mojo about it on all sources, but at 15K, I'll keep my kidney. I really like the hardware F on male vocal. and yes, the plug ins do an amazing job emulating these beasts...as you mentioned, all are going to make great music. thank you again for all the time you put in on this.

[@donnythompson9233]

Very well done, Colt! This was a great (and telling) video that was obviously put together with care and attention to detail. 🙏 Even with the reduced fidelity and resolution of KZbin’s audio, the difference between the three HW 1176’s on kick and snare were REALLY apparent. To my ears, the current 1176 sounded more open, and smoother in the mid range, with the Rev F coming in a close 2nd place. But…the Blue Stripe seemed to really choke the sonics of both kick and snare, and bringing forward the upper midrange in a way that I didn’t hear as being as sonically pleasing…it also seemed to greatly attenuate the ambient/room character of both, and particularly with the snare, the natural “ring” all but disappeared. On the other sources - vocals, guitar and bass, all three HW 1176’s sounded great - they didn’t sound the same, but all three were still very pleasing. Overall, (IMO), I guess I’d choose the current 1176 production model as having the best sound on all the sources, at least being the most consistent in its compression character and resulting sonics, and if I was looking at buying a HW Urei 1176, I think I’d be seriously considering this model over the others… The fact that it’s priced below $3k makes it far more attractive as well, considering that an original Blue Stripe costs the equivalent of a lung and a pancreas, LOL, so I think it’s a no brainer. I understand that original Blue Stripes are highly sought after, and that their unique character has elevated them to iconic status, (and I’m not implying that they shouldn’t be), but I think it’s fairly reasonable to question if these original vintage 1176 models sound and respond THAT much better to reflect the $10k-$12k price difference between them and the newer 1176 models that are priced in the $3k range… Also, it’s worth considering that in purchasing the current 1176 production model, you’d be getting a brand new unit, compared to vintage models that, just in their age alone, could be a gamble to invest in. All IMHO, of course. 🙏

[@joost3783]

Yup that is the best vocal microphone. James Blake uses that one and listen to those vocals it's insane (of course mainly the performance but the sound is top notch)

[@DICARLOPRODUCTIONS]

I just bought the UAD Native Mixing Bundle, which has their LA-2A Collection, 1176 Collection, and a ton of other great stuff (API 2500, API Channel, etc.) for only 215€. Amazing bundle for that money. Great shootout!!! Enjoyed it!!!!

[@Mixedbyechobeats]

Thanks for the video it really did give me insight on the difference between them. Re1176 does has more air on the top of the source your compressing, bring it forward also. 1176 blue face seems warmer yet seems to sit the vocal more back. 1176 vintage seem more darker to me and has more body then the first two, also pushes the vocal forward. This video is definitely an eye 👁 opener. Appreciate. 👍🏾🙏🏾

[@KasperViggoJensen]

Wow, this was a really interesting shootout. I took the time to download the files and drag them into a session before watching the video. I am mainly focused on something for acoustic guitar right now, so I went straight to them (incredibly useful organisation of files, btw). I was actually very surprised by the opinions I formed. Thank you kindly for making the files available to download, as it takes a shootout like this to a whole other level. Without the files to play with, I would have watched this video and just moved on and forgotten about it. I am researching (to an obscene degree) which hardware compressor to buy as my first, and this is the most helpful video I have found so far. Before dragging them into a session, I changed the file names to completely random letters. Then in Logic, I changed the order of the tracks a couple dozen times just to thoroughly confuse myself further. Then I cut the file up into six sections so I had a loop that would play all of them in one go. Now, this may not be the fairest of way of doing it seeing as some sections have more bass than others, but the result was quite interesting: I couldn't tell that much of a difference. I cut them at arbitrary points so it doesn't change on the beat. Closing my eyes, there was only one or two cuts I could hear. We are all blessed with different levels of detailed hearing, so of course, YMMV. Next, I moved the full takes along so that they would play one after the other. Now, the subtle differences were more apparent. I reordered the tracks in order of preference. Now, to find the answers, I unpacked the .zip file again and imported the tracks again but with their original titles and solo'd tracks to find the matches. This was an inadvertently good little exercise. It forced me to really listen for the subtle nuances. And now I feel like I have learnt something today. I performed a null test to check that I had matched them correctly. My favourite was the LN Hardware, then the AE Plugin. My least favourite was the B Hardware. I was CERTAIN that the B Hardware was one of the plugins. Checking out where to buy them, I ran into something that is tremendously bothersome: I'm in the EU, and the current Hardware LN is $908.79 more expensive here than it is on Sweetwater. Looking around Sweetwater for other units that I like, it seems like I could actually save money by flying to the US and bringing a rack home.

[@demodeiowa]

That blue stripe Rev B is something else. My fav out of the 3 hardware pieces

[@troycopeland5156]

The first 1176 compressor has more ccompression character than all the other units far as VST the black 1176 compressor character as the first analog 1176 ....the best video on comparison on UA 1176 thanks this will be the piece of gear added to my study

[@definfected]

I love these type of videos!! Keep em coming bro!! Much ❤ Colt!!

[@chrisdover8507]

Best vid I’ve seen in a while. I preferred the vintage black hardware on everything. I wish the BLA BLUEY was included, it’s on my wish list. Be interested in you doing a bus comp shootout. SSL vs Smart vs red 3 vs serpent etc. even a 1073 shootout. Great vid Colt, must’ve taken some time. ✌️

[@lucianappleton1212]

I built a Rev F over a decade ago and it still rocks.

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

The UREI hardware one sounds like the ones I've used since 1972. It does more than compress. It makes a vocal pop out in a mix like a sore thumb. Doesn't rob highs like most compressors do. I've owned and used all of them as well as original Teletronix LA2a's and 175 which was a piece of crap. Low noise UREI mod was and still is the best.

[@AlexMinor]

I really only likes the blue strip on the guitar and bass. I preferred the revision F on everything else. Thanks for taking the time for this.

[@jorgelanzas6159]

In my studio, to my ears, the hw blue is compressing a lot more than all the other ones so kinda useless in the example. but either way., I agree on most with Colt, you're a super cool guy sharing goos knowledge. thanks man

[@DanDanNoodls]

That Rev AE on vocals sounded NICE

[@66fitton]

Grabbed the waves to listen to. I can't afford the hardware but this is a great demo of the differences between the plugins too. I could hear some differences in the video but the waves are the real way to listen. Thanks for the video and thanks for making the waves available! Cheers!✌

[@_loud_sound_]

You should also check out the black lion audio CLA blue stripe 1176. They claim that CLA's 1176 sounds different because over the years they replaced the parts in it, changing it's characteristics. I've considered buying one myself but seeing someone like you check it out would help me decide if the hype is real.

[@ColtCapperrune]

I would love to give it a go! I’ll see if I can make that happen!

[@psychedelicsoundsinc.9493]

That would be really good!!!!!

[@trevorUTG]

I had both the newer production UAD 1176 that Colt has in this video, and the BLA Bluey. I sold my UAD and still have the BLA. For me, it consistently won over the uad and distressor on a vocal. The Bluey is absolutely worth checking out if you're looking into getting a hardware 1176. It's definitely got a special character to it.

[@tshrdrums]

The kick and snare were super interesting!

[@ColtCapperrune]

RIGHT???!! I did not expect that…

[@tshrdrums]

@@ColtCapperrune Grest video as always! The only time plugins won for me was on the acoustic guitar. Is that weird? Haha

[@SoniclayersMusic]

Wow! Great comparison. For years I have heard pros talk about why analogue compressors are still the choice over plugins on acoustic based material. Now I can hear why. Not just the attack decay characteristics but the harmonic dimensionality that the hardware retains. The plugins, while incredible value, just make a nice 3D acoustic source sound a tad more sterile, takes a little life out of the source.

[@joemarta8221]

Just add an inexpensive saturation plugin and pocket the remaining $2900 while achieving results no one could identify a difference in with a blind A/B test. Fabfilter Saturn works great.

[@IndyRockStar]

If I'm being honest, I'm getting a UA compressor because I've been told it's a must have in my studio. I can't really tell a difference.

[@fre.shavacado]

Great compression vid! The UA 1176LN sounds really. good. It seemed to have some bite to it and a fuller sound. Looking forward to your next mic pre shootout

[@WaBoo78]

hey colt, thanks for your work on youtube. I have subscribed to many channels but yours gives me the greatest pleasure when you have uploaded a new video! There are a few channels that are certainly a bit more professional, but your personal style and your friends in music simply make the difference! I wish you and your family all the best for Christmas and I hope you will stay with us for a long time!

[@ezstproductions_]

First of all great job again Colt. Second of all you nailed it at the end. I am also impressed how well and close the hardware vs software came to each other. Definitely thought about getting a hardware piece and I still might but I may wait longer 👀. Thanks again, and keep up the great work.

[@joed3483]

Colt I love you! Sooooo I agree with you. I love the new 1176 for vocals, guitar. The rev F is great for drums. I am gonna be honest, and I know this is blasphemy, but I don’t like the blue faces. I had an opportunity to buy one some time ago and after playing with it… it wasn’t just not worth it to me, it didn’t sound as good. I think there is a nostalgia trap we fall into: “‘my favorite music was made this way so it must be the best.” What we forget is that,some things have gotten better and while your favorite record may have been made one way, there may be a better way to do it these days. I had this conversation about tape with a younger producer the other day. He was telling me how he wants to work with tape because it sounds so much better and I tried to explain to him my youthful days working with tape and dealing with the noise floor, alignment issues, costs, rewind time and synchronization issues of tape… what a nightmare. I would take a DAW any day! For him it is a novelty, for me it is PTSD. I think vintage gear craze is powered by young people who are too young to have been tortured by the crap we used to be forced to use. That being said I do miss certain things about analogue. I miss being able to smash the shizzle (audio level wise) out of equipment and have it just musically distort, I miss subtle harmonics, and the ease of use. But I don’t miss the maintenance, heat issues, and fragility of many of the tools. I think we live in a great time for gear. You can get stuff that has great harmonics and is easy to use that doesn’t ruin your sessions with maintenance issues, almost burn your studio down or electrocute a guitarist. Not everything new about the music business is crap.

[@quietstudio]

Use your ears not your eyes. You get a like for that!! Thanks for the video Colt. I have a pair of F’s. I wouldn’t buy a pair at today’s market rate - but like you said they’re all pretty good. The re-issue, eh….but it’s a solid compressor vs. the foul nature of the models. To my ear they just don’t compress consistently / correctly and it’s most apparent in the low end. I’d like to mention that in the digital world, a look a head feature of a limiter is fantastic!! But if you get a chance to try out the Maselec MPL - the limiter and de-esser features are like nothing else…just fantastic stuff. Also worth mentioning is that the majority of my discography is recording…so all live on the sound stage recording - killer players, mics, rooms, pre’s, EQ’s and compressors at my disposal…When I mix, I wish I could get the results I get from real gear in the modeling world, but the physics of it will never allow for it.

[@ancientalien815]

Holy FUCK!! Those vocals sound SOOOOO GOOD!!!!

[@ColtCapperrune]

Haha thanks!

[@milkpossumsound8935]

I liked the REV F the best on the male vocals and the blue stripe on the female vocals. Takeaway: You need both! .....or a Serpent Splice :) The UA RI and the REV F seemed to bring out a muddy resonance in the low mids on the female vocal.

[@kodykindhart5644]

Performance tuning mic placement for the majority 🤘🤘🤘

[@rtdrec]

the vocals sounding huge on the Urei.

[@JamesBurner]

You have the best production. Great job

[@ColtCapperrune]

Thanks so much 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@m.i.stapes]

Now that’s one hell of a review ‘ol son! Keep that up!!

[@JMSDyt]

Amazed of how diferent they sound! it seems that de blue stripe is a litle slower, could be?

[@SamIntharaphithakSamSonic]

I prefer the UA 1176LN over all of them. Rev B has this dark tone to it which is kinda nice, but for modern productions would would always have to EQ the highs in there. As for the Rev F, it has this midrange boost, most evident on acoustic guitar which can good in certain situations but I don't like it on vocals. Thanks for the VDO dude.

[@JonManness]

The AE UAD plugin surprisingly had a great tone compared to the modern hardware 1776. Great demo!

[@jayrock8837]

Thank you! I read CLA’s Blue had anomaly’s inside that surprised technician’s when they opened the shell to make the plug-in. Happy mistake during serving over the years. The Blackbird Blue has a different sound to me.

[@antcall6779]

Great video Colt! The real blue strip was easier on the S's than the others but definitely needs some top end added. Was suprised how close the plugins were they were a little different than the same models but still 1176 sound no doubt. Love these style of videos

[@saltwatermusicco.6323]

Awesome! Just ordered and waiting for my UA 1176LN to arrive.

[@ColtCapperrune]

Congrats!!!

[@saltwatermusicco.6323]

@@ColtCapperrune Thank you! By the way, what mic and pre are you using to record the vocals?

[@saltwatermusicco.6323]

Nevermind, got my answer like 20 sec later in the video. :D

[@1erwayne]

Good video. The re issue was the standout to me. Software doesn't have the punch, bigness, at times that the hardware does. I've shot out my hardware to my software 1176's as well and same outcome. I have an AudioScape 76D, Hairball, Stam, Lindell 17xs and Warm Audio. The software is good though. Thanks Colt!!

[@scotteepunk]

Dude, you're killing me

[@andrescremin3823]

Man, thank you so much for doing this video... Really! Amazing job!

[@JimCardoza]

I needed to hear this, definitely helps me out to decide what i want to buy

[@ColtCapperrune]

Hope it helps!!

[@mikewallaceguitar2538]

I just paid $400 and waited 3 weeks to have UA replace the INPUT knob on my 1176. And when I got it back the meter lights didn't work anymore. haha. The lights are not a big expensive and they are easily replaced but I can't help think what plugins I could have bought for $400 and how plugins never require maintenance or any expense at all down the road.

[@oleksandrpozniak]

Yeah! Blue stripe has its own vibe and character. Some "magic" I can hear even through KZbin. Between new rev and Vintage Blue Stripe I would put the last on the vocal if I had the opportunity :)

[@letgomyego8133]

I'd pick the current production 1176 for all sources tested except bass guitar, where blue stripe plug in was preferred. There was a character from the blue stripe i enjoyed, but going with the current production saves a boat load of money that could be used for an eq to use with the current 1176, which in my opinion would give far more than the blue stripe has to offer. Even then, there would be lots of money left over.

[@deeperblueofficial]

Colt, amazing video and thanks. I totally agree with your conclusions.

[@abzee733]

Get the WES Audio beta 76. If you don't like the modern sound just switch to their built in Carnhill transformers and get the vintage grid right away!

[@MrJumboblimpjumbo]

Blue stripe for everything, except rev. F for snare and bass guitar. Plugins don't come close but if I had to choose, it would be the rev. A plugin.

[@henryhuynh2099]

Hey man. I’m sure someone has asked already but I didn’t see it, have you tried the black lion audio version. I thought you mentioned how CLA is one of your fav. I’m sure you know all about it. So I’d really like your opinion on it plus you’ve said that you use the 1176 on all your vocals or at least it your main.

[@FamousTVvoice]

Hey Colt, thanks for such a great comparison of all these versions of such a revered compressor. I don't doubt the work that went into this video. To share my take; to my ears, the hardware units have a 3D bloom that the plug-ins can't and don't replicate. I'm not pissing on the plug-ins, they do resemble the real thing to some degree but their sound by comparison is 2D and harder. BTW, I have them all (the plug-ins) but don't use them because they just don't have the nuances that I described about the hardware. So when watching this video, my focus was more on the first three units on the desk, and I concluded that while they certainly do have very distinct characters, the current production / new one has what I preferred. It sounds cleaner, has a nice open top along with nice forward mid's and that 1176 transparent, warm glue that I love. A signal chain is -as we all know - as strong as its weakest link, and to me, if you can start off strong with great outboard gear, it would seem sacrilegious to do much of anything else once its in the box! In other words, why implement unnecessary computations (processing) to a great image before converted to digital ... know what I mean? Anyway, as you said, it's all so subjective. Some interesting contributions in the comments too. Thanks again for a great video.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thanks for the video, it’s seems like the current production 1176 is much louder than the others only heard the 2 vocals. Either way they all sound good because the source sounds good.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

The new 1176 has a snap dynamic which provides a more excitement. None of the plug ins have it. The AE plug in is cleaner than the other ones and closer to the latest 1176 hardware. I agree I prefer the latest 1176 which its finer open sound. You can always add a Tape plug in to a track if you want a little more character and rounder sound.

[@musicman3000]

This was awesome! I don’t know why that vintage sticks out to me but I feel better about my plugins 😂, UAD has done an awesome job!

[@brucedickert5411]

Colt, this was a fascinating video, and I am completely SHOCKED, because the vintage blue stripe was consistently my least favorite. Shoot, I feel myself reverting back to my poser complex for not preferring the most iconic pieces of gear of all time...Dammit...what a poser I am. I should just quit this whole thing.

[@overbe]

Great shootout! That hardware Rev H was godly on guitar. Sounded so rich and full. Btw any chance you could also upload unprocessed samples so we could compare with other emulations ourselves? Thanks

[@micahalston8974]

The best shoot out. Can you do a shootout with 1176 LN VS MC77. That will great.

[@ikigai47]

I know this was a bit of a love letter to UA products but would have been super interesting to hear Waves plugin next to them. As is I preferred the new 1176ln, which means I will probably just get the UA 6176 which has the 1176 plus a 610 preamp in one

[@ColtCapperrune]

Unfortunately once I started down the path away from UA this would’ve been a three hour long video LOL but I can say that I definitely prefer the UA plug-ins to any other I have used. Thanks for watching!

[@ikigai47]

@@ColtCapperrune - I understand. And I do realize UA's plugin would smoke Waves, I was just wondering by how much heh

[@andyhooper8641]

@@ikigai47 For what it's worth, I've watched big time mixers on major productions using the waves cla76 and the end result was awesome. Like Kyle Black on State Champs. I know this stuff matters but it's amazing to see stuff like that when before I knew, I just assumed every major release was made using hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of hardware and more often than you realize, it just isn't. It's actually encouraging to me.

[@eliashowe7115]

Thanks man, It was awesome! BTW you forgot to upload a dry sounds to the Dropbox folder.

[@shanelarue8162]

the low end on the vintage bluey is way cooler to my ears than the black faces. If i needed something forward sounding i would def reach for the blackface ones over the bluey. also, the bleed is way more useable on the bluey to my ears. crazy

[@chandlerclement1365]

Awesome video, thanks for making this. As a bedroom electric guitar playing through studio monitors, I'm wondering what it would be like to play guitar with an 1176 after my Reactive Load IR box. Would you say it would make it more enjoyable or would you rather track guitars uncompressed?

[@ColtCapperrune]

I personally never track guitars of any kind with compression. But some do, and have great results!

[@chandlerclement1365]

@@ColtCapperrune Cool cool, thanks for the response!