1176 Rev A

The Rev A models the early Putnam 1176 circuit, rather than the later low-noise Blackface design. Its FET gain amplifier and more prominent input clipping make it the collection's particularly characterful option when a vocal, snare, bass, or room microphone needs compression that is also audible as tone.

The input control determines how hard the signal encounters the compressor; there is no separate conventional threshold knob. Output then restores level, while exceptionally fast attack and program-dependent release shape the envelope. Matching knob positions across the collection does not produce matching results: gain, knee, distortion onset, and release behavior differ between revisions.

Start with a moderate ratio and set the input while watching gain reduction. Tune timing against the source, then level-match with Output. For coloration without compression, disengage the ratios or use Attack OFF. Unlike the Legacy processors, this model includes amplifier and transformer behavior, plus headroom, parallel mix, and sidechain filtering.

Manual — sections: 1176 Rev A "Bluestripe"; Operational Overview; 1176 Controls.

• Input: Turn clockwise for more compression and drive. The faceplate numbers are not calibrated dB values; even the minimum marked position can pass signal. On Rev A, watch for input clipping before assuming that distortion is caused by gain reduction.
• Output: Set the final level after establishing compression. It does not set the compression amount, but increasing it can add modeled output-stage distortion. Use the host meter as well as the plug-in meter when matching bypassed loudness.
• Attack: The normal range is approximately 20–800 microseconds; clockwise is faster, not slower. Faster settings catch brief transients, while slower settings let more initial impact through. Click the OFF label to stop compression while retaining amplifier coloration; this is not full plug-in bypass.
• Release: Approximately 50–1100 ms, fastest clockwise. Actual recovery also follows the program and model. Adjust against the musical pulse: too fast can create audible pumping, while too slow can suppress quieter material after a loud event.
• Ratio: Choose 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, or 20:1. Shift-click supports the documented hardware-valid multi-button combinations, including All Button for a markedly different, distorted envelope. Disengaging all ratios retains the signal path without gain reduction.
• Headroom / HR: Values are 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 dB; default is 16. Counterintuitively, lower displayed values provide more headroom and less readily driven compression/color. Avoid automating this control because adjustments can cause temporary level increases.
• Mix: Blend continuously from dry to fully processed; 50% gives equal contributions. Establish the compressed sound first, then introduce dry signal for parallel processing.
• Sidechain Filter: Toggle using the filter symbol or Release label. Its fixed 10 dB/decade tilt reduces bass dominance in detection without directly filtering the audible bass.
• Meter Function: GR shows reduction; +4 and +8 show output. The meter can behave unusually in multi-button modes by design. Meter OFF disables the complete processor.

Manual — sections: 1176 Controls; UA 1176 Rev A and UA 1176LN Rev E Attack; Sidechain Filter; Meter Function.