Funny, I liked the sta much better than the 176...

so they still color even with the trafo switched off?

if you hit em lightly how neutral can they sound?
elop
1176
cl1b?
??

Overall if you stay under a couple db of reduction it doesn't scream "COMPRESSION"... regarding color, yes its still there but a little less...

Thanks, Syra.
I'm gonna do it!

on a related note:
Sometimes I really like being single and driving a beat up old pick-up!!

lol

Just used the 176 on a great singer yesterday. It sounds soooo flippin great. Magic record-y sounds.

Does any of you 176 owners have experience with the Retro Instruments powerstrip as well?

Can the powerstrip compressor be compared to the 176?

Cheers

no, the 176 is more aggressive, the powerstrip is softer.

Thanks for your reply.
And how would you estimate the value of the powerstrip's compressor compared to the 176? Just a nice addition or a really ot standing compressor?

I had the chance to listen to the 2A3 and the 176 and hope to get at least a similar compressor in the powerstrip, which is equipped with the 2A3's eq (but mono).

value? it depends on what sound you want. i think they're both outstanding compressors, so much so, that i own 3 176's and a stereo iteration of what's in the 2A3. they are very different.

hope that helps.

thanks, pete

How exactly doe that differ to a 2 a3 which is also stereo?

the 2a3 is an eq. the box i have is a stereo compressor.

did anybody compare the 176 with the rockruepel compressor?

did anybody compare the 176 with the rockruepel?

Meanwhile I own the 176 - such a great compressor!

Hi all, very interesting to read everyone's posts on the 176!
I’ve been trying to figure out which analogue compressors I need for my lab and which I can get by without. I think maybe I could get by without an LA2A if I got a retro 176 – for bass guitar and lead vocals – but I’m wondering if I need a stereo pair of 176s or if I can get by with just one? It would be great to have a stereo pair obviously but I need other things too so I need to prioritise. Traditionally I’ve been disinclined to compress over the master, prefering to leave that for the mastering engineer (though I wouldn’t mind experimenting with mixing that way) - so mainly the uses for 2 x 176s would be on drum room – though maybe 1176s are better in the majority of cases for that? Drum overheads? Or other stereo sources – backing vocals: I imagine 176s would be great – piano - ?? – overheads for a percussionist? – overheads for strings (more for tone than gain reduction maybe?) …… any thoughts? Also with the Retro Instruments 176, if I did want stereo would I need to get a matched pair at the same time or could I get one now and add the other when I had the £$/yen? Will they match if there’s a period of a year or two between their manufacture? It’s all kinda a tricky subject I realise and a lot depends on subjective taste, styles of music etc but I do need a strategy! I was considering getting a Alan Smart C2 for example, but would need to weigh up the usefulness of that and any other options compared to 2 x 176s…….. anyone have any thoughts on the Gyraf Vari-Mu compressor?
Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated – thanks!

Well, as a dealer for RETRO I can confirm most people buy them in singles.

War

if you want a classic for tracking single or stereo get a pair of 1176's.
I have all of the Retro boxes and love them to death but I probably track 75 % of my stuff through good old 1176's,from kick,snare to overheads,vocals bass etc.simple elegant operation and sound good on almost anything.

They'll match any pair for you..

I agree, it's a classic for a reason a very good reason.

Love 176, wish have stereo of it sound. I don't know how describe it sound I remember that I tried once to send each channel of mix bus though it & the result it killer.

I'm surprised nobody posted a before and after sample of what the amazing 176 does to a signal. I'm thinking of picking one up to track and mix trough.

There are just soooooo many options out there now.

Any retro owners mind sharing a before and after file?


One more question, if you use it on say a vocal for tracking will you then use it on the other end on the same vocal come mix time or spread the love and throw it on a bass or some other track?

stereo 176's are a lovely thing.
open acoustic stuff,strings,piano,gang vocals.
faster dense rock mix buss..a bit too slow for my taste.

You need pairs of all of them:

Ah Trev, you have to post shots like that. I was feeling content and now I'm thinking I may need a 176 after all.

Well Trev, you obviously missed the point somewhere. Where's the second lavalamp? And how did you stereo-link them? Still working on something here... (lots of smoke and cables all over the place, but I still didn't manage somehow)


Dutchy

Well trev, anything worth doing is worth doing right. Great gear makes the world sound round.

I have seen tons of your posts , I think you have one of the biggest arsenals of everything ! You have a studio site - would love to see what your running . I'm looking to getting some 1176's , but a mix/blend knob would be a great function .

Love Me some Retro \m/ \m/

Hi RoundBadge I am deciding which one to get I have an LA2A but one a second compressor what do you recommend the 176 or the cl1b? you said that the 176 is thicker sounding than the LA2A and I Like That I want a thicker sound! Thanks!!