Universal Audio UAFX 1176 Compressor Pedal

Universal Audio UAFX 1176 Compressor Pedal Overview

The Universal Audio UAFX 1176 Compressor Pedal condenses the legendary 1176 studio compressor, renowned for its punchy, present character, into a compact effects pedal for electric guitar, bass guitar, synthesizer and more.

Presenting the UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor: The essence of Universal Audio’s studio-grade compression, reimagined for your pedalboard. With origins dating back to 1967, the 1176 remains a benchmark in the world of compressors. The 1176 pedal harnesses the formidable UAFX engine to faithfully replicate the tones that have graced numerous hit records into a compact, pedalboard-friendly form factor.

A Spectrum of Compression

From the gentle squeeze of one UA 1176 to endless Lowell George-style sustain to crunchy compression a la Led Zeppelin IV, the UAFX 1176 encompasses a broad range of iconic compressor tones. This pedal offers a selection of legendary 1176 configurations, letting you dial in the exact amount of compression you’re after.

Single is as if your signal is running through one 1776 and Dual emulates two 1176 units in parallel. Sustain also runs your signal through two compressors, with the other compressor mirroring the settings you’ve dialled in on the panel in reverse. The result is immense sustain that’s perfect for clean, David Gilmour-style solo passages.

The Universal Audio 1176 pedal features 1:1 controls with a vintage unit, giving you the exact same intuitive command over your compressed tone. The Ratio control includes the famous “all buttons in” mode which is perfect for heavily compressed, smashed sounds.

Parallel Mode and Bypass Options

A popular studio technique with compressors is “parallel compression”, where a clean, uncompressed signal is blended with a compressed one. The UAFX 1176 pedal replicates this technique via the Parallel switch on top of the unit, which creates a 50/50 blend of your dry signal and the compressed one. This is particularly handy for guitarists who want to retain their note attack whilst adding sustain.

The top of the 1776 compressor pedal also features a switch that alternates between true and buffered bypass. This way, you can decide if you want your tone to remain unaffected when the 1776 is off or introduce a buffered bypass that helps retain your high-end if you’re using long cables or a packed pedalboard.

From Concerts to Recording Booths

Designed with the touring musician in mind, the UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor is robust and road-ready like every pedal in the UAFX series. Yet, its superior audio quality ensures it’s equally at home in the recording studio. Whether you’re crafting intricate clean passages or driving your amp for that classic rock sound, this effects pedal is poised to become an indispensable part of your sonic arsenal.