Black Ghost Audio offers the Black 76 Limiting Amplifier (€99 value) by IK Multimedia for FREE! You can grab this compressor/limiter for free until February 13th.
Any discussion about legendary studio gear has to include the Universal Audio/UREI 1176 Compressor/Limiter. If you aren’t sure if you’ve heard it, you have; it’s been on more hit records than The Beatles. It’s the Holy Grail of FET compressors, and a good condition original unit will set you back more than the cost of most people’s first car.
See also: BPB Dirty Filter Is A FREE Distortion VST/AU Plugin!Multiple developers have released software emulations of this famous compressor in its various revisions. Revisions A, A/B, and B are known as the Bluestripe units; revisions C through to G are known as the Blackface models. Universal Audio, Slate Digital, and Waves are just a few that offer noteworthy emulations. IK Multimedia has gone for the 1176 LN Revision E because it’s the most revered model of all.
The much sought-after character of this revision comes from its input transformer and class-A output stage. In staying true to the hardware, this plugin is super straightforward to use.
The four buttons on the left of the VU meter select the ratio (degree of compression). The 4:1, 8:1 ratios are for compression; the higher 12:1, 20:1 ratios are for limiting. Four buttons on the right of the VU meter alternate the metering method.
Setting the input and output levels dictates the general amount of gain reduction needed. Attack and release knobs dial in a more precise level/sound.
One of the most prominent features of the hardware version is its incredibly fast attack, and this emulation recreates that very well. But keep in mind, it’s a versatile workhorse, and you don’t always need to abuse that swift attack. A slow attack and fast release can be a great way to keep the vibrancy in your sound; just ask Bob Power.
A clever old-school trick is to push in all four ratio buttons at once, creations a pumping sound with more distortion. I love that IK Multimedia kept that in (when some other developers didn’t) by adding an All ratio button.
IK Multimedia’s Black 76 Limiting Amplifier also has some unique channel linking and mid-side matrix options not found on the hardware. The flexible processing options add some modern convenience to a stellar recreation of a true classic.
Black 76 Limiting Amplifier is available for free download until February 13th, 2020. Visit the Black Ghost Audio channel below for more info on how to download your free copy of the software.
More info: Black 76 Limiting Amplifier (FREE until February 13th, 2020)
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