Distressors and 1176s

[Zeppelin4Life]

I'm just curious on this issue. The 1176 is obviously a classic sounding compressor, but the distressor seems to be used by everyone. What's your take? Im guessing the distressors are much more versatile, with the transients and distortion functions. Ok, let me know your opinions on this topic. Say you could only buy one....

[MarkS]

if only one, i would buy the diostressor with brit mod because of it's versality.
if at any possible, i would go for both and go for a purple audio 1176 clone.

[Zeppelin4Life]

looks like im resorting to Rammen noodles again this month

[DrFrankencopter]

I went through the same decision process a while back. I ended up buying a distressor and getting a UAD-1 card. Over time I've found myself using the 1176 pluggin more than the distressor (and not just beacause I can have multiple instances). I think if I had to do it over again I'd get a (hardware) 1176 first....to me it has more attitude than the distressor (nuke and brit mode aside...I'm not really keen on the sound of those modes either though). That said, I am keeping the distressor, as it can sound good on pretty much anything, it is definitely a versatile peice of kit.

I'm about 3/4 of the way through building up a purple MC76....just need an input transformer, and some pots.

Yeah, in typical gearslutz fashin, you need both, actually you need two of each!

Cheers,

Kris

[Zeppelin4Life]

Originally Posted by DrFrankencopter

I went through the same decision process a while back. I ended up buying a distressor and getting a UAD-1 card. Over time I've found myself using the 1176 pluggin more than the distressor (and not just beacause I can have multiple instances). I think if I had to do it over again I'd get a (hardware) 1176 first....to me it has more attitude than the distressor (nuke and brit mode aside...I'm not really keen on the sound of those modes either though). That said, I am keeping the distressor, as it can sound good on pretty much anything, it is definitely a versatile peice of kit.

I'm about 3/4 of the way through building up a purple MC76....just need an input transformer, and some pots.

Yeah, in typical gearslutz fashin, you need both, actually you need two of each!

Cheers,

Kris

Thnx for that. What is the difference between the MC77 and 76? Is it just a kit #? Thanks.

[Mike H]

I encourage you to try an MC77 before you make a purchase:
http://www.purpleaudio.com/Product/MC77.html

I now have four MC77's and a pair of Distressors. I find myself normally leaving the Distressors on the snare and toms stem and using the MC77's for lead and rhythm guitars. They are wonderful units for adding that perfect something extra to guitars. They are also great on drums and just about anything else, and you can get new, very well built units. Definitely give them a try.

[kosi]

I have 2 1176 Blackface Rev F and one Distressor.
Most time I end up with the distressor on the Kick or Bass and everything, what needs some kinda dirt and grid. I don't like the Distressor on vox, there I always use the 1176, it simply sounds better to me. I love the 1176 on clean electric and acoustic Guitars, soft Basslines, on SN and everywhere, where I want to hear the compression pumping.

Simply said: Smack and Punch = Distressor
Sound and Behaviour = 1176

if I may say so

[kbjazzman]

If I were you I'll buy Distressor... Coz' it will be reliable for a long time from now on with no service need but.. If you give me money I'll buy more 1176

[DrFrankencopter]

What is the difference between the MC77 and 76? Is it just a kit #? Thanks.

No, the MC76 was the predicessor to the MC77...not really big changes (I think), but some things to compensate for supplier changes, and minor circuit tweaks. When Purple was switching over to the MC77 there were some extra MC76 circuit boards avaialble, and they offered them up for sale to the DIY community through the prosoundweb forums. Well, the boards must've been successful, because Purple now sells a MC77/76 kit.

To call it a kit is a stretch though since you need to supply the components, meter, switches, case, input and power transformers etc...it;s not a good first DIY project, but for someonw who's done it before its pretty do-able.

Cheers,

Kris