2-1176 vs MC77 vs UA 1176 Plugin! MP3's!!!

[James Lugo]

In a Blind test , on the ADAMs ,
The NO Compression pass was My Favorite,
had the most Feel to me...... anyway list is :

1 No Compression
2 MC77
2 Plug-in
3 2-1176

And there you have it.

When I bounced the no compression clip I was wondering if any one would say that. It sounded real good to me to.

[Oldone]

2-1176 sounded like rock n roll. It had an edge. The others were muzak to my ears, too nice. The no compression was nice but the 1176 did it's crispy upper mid-range thing which just made it sound like a record.

Fun listen, thanks James.

[James Lugo]

Originally Posted by stagefright13

I think the biggest difference is the settings. The UA was more forward as vocals should be. Also an opinion. I don't think turning the knobs on either are equivalent. Different transformers etc. SO prolly not a great test. But I really like the Purple stuff. But I buy UA stuff also...

Yeah almost didn't need compression on the vocals. You sing like me wfo all the time. Kinda like a Marshall lol!

The MC77 has a different trip, when the attack time was fastest the MC77 clamped the peak transients quicker and harder then both the 2-1176 and the plug. The 2-1176 and the plug seemed to work very similar but the MC77 was very different. You hit the input half as much on the 77 to get the same reduction as the other 2 pieces.

100 watt stack.

[MacroMike]

Hey James, thanks for putting this up. I was already planning to order a mc77 tomorrow. Although I liked the clip with the mc77 the most overall, I think the 2-1176 was pretty sweet too. It had a little some-in some-in extra to it. I feel it for the rock stuff. The plug was cool just not as in your face, more flat than the hardware.

[ImJohn]

Originally Posted by Aearth

James you really got to stop swollowing those compressors.
Sounded cool, but that is what an experienced singer can do with or without gear. Dig your singing man.

nIC

+1! That's what I thought about the uncompressed track (thanks by the way!).

[SoundUniverse]

Listening in headphones (Sony 7506) the 2-1176 had by far the most depth. The plug sounded pretty good, but I heard less dimension (funny, now I 'm reminded of the out of the box apeal) and the MC 77 had the color, but not quite the same broad dynamics as the 2-1176 to me.

[stagefright13]

try 2:1 on the compressor! 8:1 is very hard. Try salt and pepper...
Compression on the voice especially yours should be more subtle.
And a real 1176 adds MOJO with no compression!

Your voice is kinda like a Marshall. Already compressed!
It's your choice but send me a wave! I love the style!

Your voice is already compressed! You may not need a compressor.
But you can still get some vibe from the fet's But I stand by the 2/1 one thing
It will work for you.

[Brad McGowan]

Hey James,

Do you think you could email me the WAV file of the uncompressed clip? I'd love to run it through my DIY 1176 and post that result here as well. My email address is on my profile.

thanks,
Brad

[MarkofLavender]

I would rather have that vocalist with no compression then most of the ones that walk through my door With a fairchild, 1176, LA2A, etc.

Performance first!

Nice Pipes!

Mark

[mikey]

i don't know i could not hear much difference ??it must be subtle..I think i'll just use my plugin and save the money

[keano]

Hey James great shootout. I was at the amp shootout that was amazing.

So you had the UAD 1176 as an insert right? Same settings as the UA 1176?

Personally using headphones not greatest quality. Will check out at home which might change things.

But 1176 and plugin are close enough for me to go wither way.
77 is 3rd too smooth for this vocal.

Will check at home though.

Shit.. I am thinking same some $$ and use different UAD compressors for vox.

[KRStudio]

Also keep in mind 2-1176 sounds a little different from single 1176. A little different circuit. I have both and like both but they are different. Can't wait to get a 77 though.

[James Lugo]

I just got a Urei 1178, man that thing rocks!

[vibralux]

I like the MC77 best - maybe cause its my favourite comp and I use it a lot. BTW - I have this beast for over two years now and I found that I am using it almost exclusively with one setting- slowest attack, fastest release and 1:12- is that legal? I use it mostly to squeeze vocs (i like a lot of breaths ) and to giva a snap to a snare. I feel a bit like an idiot not using its full potential Anyone else using it this way most of the time?
Peace
MArty

[syra]

Originally Posted by KRStudio

Also keep in mind 2-1176 sounds a little different from single 1176. A little different circuit. I have both and like both but they are different. Can't wait to get a 77 though.

Yup. A 2-1176 is definitely NOT 2 UA1176. 2-1176 doesn't pump the same way. I was never a fan of it.

[KRStudio]

OH Marty, the 77 is like a wife or girlfriend. Sometimes gentle, sometimes beat it into submission, use it!

[darrenmd]

2-1176 sounds best to me

[Bounce]

It would be cool to hear the BF 1176 plug in on this as well for comparison :-)

[SoSueMe]

1. 2-1176 (hands down)
2. Plug-in
3. MC77

Interesting how my preferences are different than anyone else. Listening chain: Laptop -> USB -> Lavry DA11 -> Jerry Harvey JH13 PRO

[ScumBum]

Thanks for posting this James , threads like this is why I like Gearslutz !


The 1176 had more grit and magic , I liked it the best .

1.1176
2:MC77
3.Plugin

The plugin sounded a little thinner , but still very usable . Hell I got mine for free so bang for the buck and being able to strap it across as many tracks as I want the plugin is pretty damn good .

To me the pluging has a more modern sound , it sounds like a modern record , the 1176 sounds old school and had that magic of classic record .

[ironbelly]

is that Kevin DuBrow?
jk , cool comparison post tho.

[Ernest Buckley]

Hey James, Love the style and your delivery. To me, the 1176 wins out. It has depth and it rounds out the bottom more than the 77. The plug definitely sounded shallow. The 77 was nice, maybe a little too clean for that genre.

[alvagoldbook]

I have to agree with some other posters here. the MC77 was my first pick. The plug in was my 2nd. The third the 1176. I was quite surprised by how well the plug did.

the 1176 just sounded a bit flat and dead. The plug sounded quite nice. The MC77 had a lot of character to it. It allowed the vocal to shine more.

Very slight differences. Hard to tell with an mp3, and harder to tell given the vocal style.

[MikeyMike]

The MC77 just sounds too clean and bright. When I think of mojo, I don't think about brightness and clarity. I think about beautiful mids to mid-highs and of course the low end.

[paul101]

Originally Posted by vibralux

I like the MC77 best - maybe cause its my favourite comp and I use it a lot. BTW - I have this beast for over two years now and I found that I am using it almost exclusively with one setting- slowest attack, fastest release and 1:12- is that legal? I use it mostly to squeeze vocs (i like a lot of breaths ) and to giva a snap to a snare. I feel a bit like an idiot not using its full potential Anyone else using it this way most of the time?
Peace
MArty

Yeah, almost a permanent setting for me on vocals. 12:1 , slow attack, fast release. Love it.

[jahndhi]

James, thanks for posting those clips - very instructional.

1. 1176 - classic, full, more bottom end, more presence
2. MC77 - nice, a bit more modern edge
3. Plug - sounded thin, ITB in comparison

Nice 'cultered hollering'
musical, with balls, and lungs to spare!

[jcc449]

i love the 1176 from this test the best
I don't get why others hate it.
1176 clear to be able to zoom in the vocal the best with low volume.
This is very handy for mixing.
Because this will be able to save up headroom for other instrument to go louder without muddy the vocal.
This is why CLA always able to have his music sounds big and loud but still maintains that "clear, preference and details" vocal.
I don't need a compressor to "mask" my vocal track and i can simple do that by singing off-axis on microphone or EQ it.
So whatever can get me this kind of BIG and forward surely is the best compressor to me and the result is 1176 in this test.