Kush Audio UBK Fatso or 1176

[Brad McGowan]

Originally Posted by M.Brew

I was looking into getting my EL Fatso Jr modded. Wondering what people think about the UBK Fatso's glue mode compared to an 1176?

I really like Glue. It definitely has an 1176-ish vibe. I know a lot of folks really love the 1176 as a general purpose limiter. I am not one of those people. It's too grabby and its limiting action is too colored for my tastes. I find the UBK FATSO to be more versatile for the kind of stuff I do. Besides the extremely easy to use preset compression modes (all of which have vastly different responses), the unit gives you variable and musical saturation, bypassable transformer saturation, and high frequency limiting (the warmth control). When you combine all those together you get a lot of tonal options in a box that is fun and easy to use. Running one channel of Glue into a second channel set to Smooth is really awesome on lead vocals.

Brad

[Blaine Misner]

i use both all the time. and i would say that while the UBK is an amazing box. the 1176 might be a little more usable.

[M.Brew]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

I really like Glue. It definitely has an 1176-ish vibe. I know a lot of folks really love the 1176 as a general purpose limiter. I am not one of those people. It's too grabby and its limiting action is too colored for my tastes. I find the UBK FATSO to be more versatile for the kind of stuff I do. Besides the extremely easy to use preset compression modes (all of which have vastly different responses), the unit gives you variable and musical saturation, bypassable transformer saturation, and high frequency limiting (the warmth control). When you combine all those together you get a lot of tonal options in a box that is fun and easy to use. Running one channel of Glue into a second channel set to Smooth is really awesome on lead vocals.

Brad

Nice, so would you say that the Glue mode is less colored then an 1176?

[M.Brew]

Originally Posted by Blaine Misner

i use both all the time. and i would say that while the UBK is an amazing box. the 1176 might be a little more usable.

Cool, In what way do you find it more usable?

[Micah421]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

Running one channel of Glue into a second channel set to Smooth is really awesome on lead vocals.

Brad

Interesting! I'd like to try this!

I love my UBK fatso, it's very fun! The 1176 is a industry standard and I have compared a real vintage RevD at the studio I work at, to my UAD 1176 plugins, 4 other engineers could not hear the difference, truth! Im very content with my 1176 plugs and have no immediate desire to purchase one. The Distressor is also amazing. My favorite multi purpose compressor is the Summit DCL-200, tube and solid state, sounds great on everything.

[Brad McGowan]

Originally Posted by M.Brew

Nice, so would you say that the Glue mode is less colored then an 1176?

Yes and no. I think I can do higher levels of gain reduction on a UBK without feeling like there are too many negative artifacts. Those negative artifacts are what I would describe as color in that case. With the UBK you can also dial up a lot of saturation by inserting a level adjusting device in the side chain. That brings a different kind of "color" to the party.

Brad

[rob S]

i dont Think one replaces the other.
Get both!

[cornwall6000]

Originally Posted by Brad McGowan

With the UBK you can also dial up a lot of saturation by inserting a level adjusting device in the side chain. That brings a different kind of "color" to the party.

Brad

plus 8-thousand.

brew, been too long since i've used an actual 1176 with any regularity to comment on the direct comparison you ask about - it's in the same family, for sure - but brad speaks major truth on the sidechain. (on the ubk i mean, no sidechain on the 1176). if you don't already utilize the SC's with your fatso, your really gonna want to if you get the mod done. doing so reveals a whole new set of ways to use the entire unit. don't be an idiot like me and sleep on it.

[Blaine Misner]

The fact that it has not just attack and release times, but also the 4 set ratios. I love the UBK FATSO. Using it on a session as I type this, but it is very limited. And often I find myself pulling in favor of other comps

[Blaine Misner]

Originally Posted by Micah421

Interesting! I'd like to try this!

I love my UBK fatso, it's very fun! The 1176 is a industry standard and I have compared a real vintage RevD at the studio I work at, to my UAD 1176 plugins, 4 other engineers could not hear the difference, truth! Im very content with my 1176 plugs and have no immediate desire to purchase one. The Distressor is also amazing. My favorite multi purpose compressor is the Summit DCL-200, tube and solid state, sounds great on everything.

I love a dcl 200. We've got two here. Hands down my favourite comp