Original subtitles

The first compressor I want to talk about is the Yuri 1176 Now the 1176 isn't one

of the first compressors to be used.

In fact, it wasn't even the most popular.

But for some reason it does seem to be the most replicated.

Not sure exactly why, but there are many plugins based on the 1176 It's probably

the most emulated model made into a plugin or have a plugin based on it.

So around 1968 Bill Putnam creates his compressor as he transitions from the two

base models of the time into solid-state models.

It was touted as a true peak limiter with all transistor circuitry, but its real

selling point was its all too fast attack time.

Nothing really competed with it at the time.

Similar to the one seventy six the eleven seventy, six didn't have a threshold

control like the L2A It had input and output controls and included a

continuously variable attack and release which is very different for the time.

The amount of compression was determined by setting the input level.

The higher the signal reaching the unit, the greater the compression.

Another unique feature was a selectable ratios.

We could set it at four to one eight to one twelve to one or 20 to one.

The first or earlier units were silver with a blue stripe.

While later versions were all black and were labeled 1176 LNLN for low noise.

Because of the input and output Transformers and the Class A output

circuitry, the 1176 had a very distinctive sound even when it wasn't

compressing but turning the attack knob fully counterclockwise to the off

position. The unit could be used as a straight line

amp just for its color while unique sound.

But what really made this unit Shine was its ability to tweak its controls well

beyond anything that came before.

So let's check out a few common sources

using some 1176 plugins.

With John loop.

First let's hear it.

Now let's add a log in to it.

We'll start off with the bomb factory 1176 This is one of the first ones to

come out, and it does a pretty good job of replicating the real unit.

Let's see what it sounds like.

These are attack and release.

Now my throw you at first is attack and release.

Slow and fast are actually backwards.

This is fast, and this is slow.

So that might throw you at 1st.

So I'll start a little fast when the

attack and release.

Let's hear the loop sounds like through

this plugin. At four to one.

Now it's a good idea when dealing with these compressors to get the meter to

game. Reduce about halfway.

It's a good place to start, and then you can adjust from there.

Now as per the attack and release settings, let's make it quicker attack

and notice it'll cut off the attack of the sound a bit more.

And if we bring it U? It'll allow the transients the beginning

of the note to cut through.

Let's do the same thing with the release.

Let's go really quick.

Notice how quickly it snaps back.

And if we slow down the release, it's a lot smoother sounding, but it won't move

as quickly. And for more extreme setting, we'll make

the attack amities as fast as possible.

Now another setting that was very popular

on this unit was all buttons pushed in.

Actually push all the ratio buttons in.

We can't do that on the lugin.

But there's a preset for it, or buttons

in. And they'll do the same thing.

It creates a really good pumping sound, which is good for room mics and extreme

effects. Let's check out another lugin based on

the 1176 This is the CLA 1176 by Waves.

Let's hear that sounds.

Again, we'll start 4 to one.

Pretty quick attack and release.

Let's set the attack quicker and notice how it cuts off the transients.

And let's set the release quicker and notice how much quicker it grabs.

And in this plugin.

Is a special button for all buttons in.

Let's check out another one.

Somewhere in the mid to late nineties,

Purple audio created their own 1176 a hardware unit.

So this plug-in is based on that.

The hallway unit is pretty good.

Sounds a bit brighter to me than the original, so if you get a chance to check

one out, it's definitely a good representation of the original unit.

Let's make the attack a little faster.

Not really getting much from this unit,

but like I said, the real one from Purple Audio is a pretty good piece to check

out. Let's try another one.

This one made by T Rex and again all the buttons are here.

Let's set the attack and release as fast as possible for more extreme setting.

Then we can hit this button to recreate all buttons in.

For an even more extreme setting.

Sounds pretty good.

Now let's try a different source.

Let's try a kick drum those individually

miked material sounds like now.

Let's try the bomb factory on this one.

Once again, we'll start off with a quicker attack.

Let's make the attack as fast as possible and notice how it cuts down on the early

transients. And if we slow down, the attack lets

those transients through.

It's here with a quick release.

Now, it's important to note that because this compressor was one of the first to

have attack and release times, it made it a favorite for things like individual

kick or snare mikes because as you can hear, you can really shape the sound.

Now show the CLA.

Well, the waves.

Notice that this plugin has a more soft or pillowy sound to it.

Which sounds quite good.

I'm not sure how accurate that is, but

either way it works for this kick drum and if we adjust the attack and release

times we could sculpt it even more.

Let's try some of the higher ratios,

which will clamp down or compress a bit harder as the sound goes above the

threshold. Gives it a bit more attack.

Natural T Rex.

Remember on the 1176 the input sets our

threshold. Notice each one has their own color and

reacts a bit differently with the attack and release knobs in different positions.

Now let's check out a snare track.

Without the bomb factory.

Notice how the attack really changes the tone of the snare drum.

And the release controls how quickly it snaps back, creating a very modern snare

sound with a tight transient.

And remember, it's very important to

bypass it to make sure we're not doing more harm than good.

Now it shows the CLA.

And it's all about those attack and

release knobs. Now let's hear the T Rex version.

Listen for how the transient on the snare drum is affected by the attack knob.

That's the end of part one.

Let's check out Part 2.