The 1176 compressor's original design is held by Universal Audio in their 'classics' re-issue series. Nevertheless, the cost of these models can make them unaffordable for most home and project studio producers. As the 1176 compressor has remained a highly coveted piece of gear, several alternatives have emerged in the market.

Black Lion Audio Bluey

The Black Lion Audio Bluey is a customized version of the classic revision A 'blue stripe' 1176, designed with bespoke Cinemag transformers and high-quality components building on the sonic characteristic of the original 1176 design.

The 1176 REV A was introduced in 1967, and is known for its aggressive sound; ideal for those who want a lot of colour, but perhaps less versatile than later revisions C-E, or 'black-face', which had an updated circuitry to minimise noise and aim for a more transparent sound.

The Bluey, with modern discrete components and transformers provides all of the characteristic of the original unit, without sacrificing low-noise. It looks great too, and at just over €1000 is an absolute steal.

One thing to note, is that the Bluey is now also available as a 2-slot 500 series module which come in just under €1000!

STAM Audio SA-76 ADG

The STAM Audio SA76 is a very unique take on the 1176 and has a three-in-one design which enables the user to switch between different revisions of the original units, A, D and G.

STAM have made the SA-76 as close to the originals as possible, including a Sowter recreation of the original UTC O-12 input transformer, as well as a Cinemag output transformer which models the original 5002.

The ingenious idea to utilise what would have been the Gain Reduction, +8 and +4 buttons and instead use this space to enable switching between the characteristic of the transformer sound of the A and D, and bypass the transformers for the G, has made this stand-out piece of hardware, well sought after by recording engineers and producers who want the sound of three classic 1176 compressors in one 19" rack space.

This is available from STAM directly and they have a reduced pre-order price for the next available batch in June 2023.

Warm Audio WA76

Released in 2014, the Warm Audio WA76 is yet another modern take on the classic 1176 design. It features all-discrete through-hole circuitry and custom-designed Cinemag input and output transformers.

A recreation of the REV D model, the WA76 offers the same simple control set as the original, with controls for input gain, output level, and four selectable ratios, as well as the ability for 'all button in' compression.

This is currently available on Thomann for €679 and there are B-Stock models available too, which come with full warranty and are fully tested. However they may have some superficial signs of use. You can also find a bargain on Reverb for second hand units!

Wes Audio NG76

Wes Audio already have a respected 1176 clone with the beta 76, but at NAMM 2023 this year they announced their new digitally controlled, NG76.

Whilst both units have the ability to switch between revisions F and G with a Modern/Vintage switch and the same custom-made Carnhill input and output transformers, the NG76 includes some exciting new features such as selectable low pass and high shelf sidechain filters, different saturation modes, and a dedicated mixknob for parallel compression.

To make things even better, the NG76 can be adjusted using a plugin by installing the Wes Audio app, previously seen in earlier products such as the 500 series Dione bus compressor. This design provides the best of both worlds, allowing for accurate and fast recall during mix revisions while maintaining the unique sound of hardware.

With these extensive features, the N7G6 has made its way to the top of our purchase list, and we look forward to doing a full review once it arrives in the studio!

Lindell Audio LIN-76

In November of last year, Lindell Audio launched their take on the 1176 compressor, the Lin-76. Although it is not a direct clone of a specific revision, the compressor has the same familiar sound found in the C-E models, and delivers that notorious punchy and aggressive sound when pushed.

Like the original 1176LN, the Lin-76 features input and output controls, with four ratio options. However, one notable difference is the reverse functionality of the attack and release controls, which differ from the original design, with faster settings achieved by turning the knobs to the left and slower settings to the right.

While this may be a minor inconvenience for those used to the original design, in our opinion it shouldn't be a deal-breaker. As with all Lindell Audio hardware, the build is excellent and the high-quality components and solid chassis make this unit virtually indestructible. The knobs have a nice weight and feel too, and are perfect for dialing in that perfect setting.

Klark Teknik 76-KT

It would be a mistake not to mention the most cost-effective 1176 clone from the British company Klark Teknik, and also pointing out that before the company was acquired by Behringer, the units were almost double the current price, and frequently compared to the WA76 in terms of sound quality and affordability.

Based on the 1176LN D and E versions, the unit features the same uncomplicated control set as the original, as well as MIDAS input and output transformers.

For those seeking an 1176 unit that won't break the bank, this budget-friendly version of the classic is a solid choice and is constructed to the same standard as the earlier version before Behringer came along and streamlined their production, ultimately reducing the cost.

In conclusion, the market for affordable 1176 hardware clones has grown substantially in recent years, providing home and small studio producers owners access to a versatile compressor that has never lost its appeal.

With the list of ever increasing options, the 1176 compressor is now more accessible than ever, allowing for creative exploration and dynamic sound shaping in any music production setting.