Distressor VS UA1176

[Phosphene]

Also......what are your thoughts on these 2 compressors. I know I have mentioned this before, and I rented a distressor and played around with it for a night. The thing is, I saw a 1176 on ebay go for $1145 and I was like, damn, maybe I CAN afford either one.

So far, I think I'm going with the distressor cuz of the distortion options, (and I've heard on gearslutz that the schematics were almost identical between them both). Is the 1176 really a big step up from the Distressor? Am I gonna have to rent one?

PS--I want to use it for vocals, drums, bass, all the hoo-haas, of course

[tarnationsauce2]

I wish I had a place around here renting out good gear like that.
I'd love to play with stuff I hear about without having to actually buy it.

Anyways, I have only used a Distressor too. I got to say I liked it a lot, it's really versatile and has a really thick-full sound.

I have yet to use a 1176.

I'd say rent a 1176 and see what your personal feelings are after that. Depends on how much it costs to rent though.

You can be assured that both units will perform quite well and neither would nessacarily let you down.

[xstatic]

I would go with the Distressor. I would not even say that an 1176 is a step up. For the things that an 1176 does really well on, it probably will be a little better. The things it does not do well on though, the Distressor will still do a good job at. I personally think the Distressor is the absolute best first serious comp to add to a person's arsenal.

[Phosphene]

Originally Posted by xstatic

I would go with the Distressor. I would not even say that an 1176 is a step up. For the things that an 1176 does really well on, it probably will be a little better. The things it does not do well on though, the Distressor will still do a good job at. I personally think the Distressor is the absolute best first serious comp to add to a person's arsenal.

My gut is telling me the same thing.

The distressor was only $25 to rent, I imagine the 1176 would be around $35. It turns out this pro audio rental place (that's like a few miles from my house) has a LOT of NICE stuff to rent for cheap.

[firby]

Get the Drawmer 1968. Thank me later.

Really you will.

[xstatic]

For a channel compressor, I would go Distressor long before the Drawmer. For a buss compressor however I would not.

[Middleman]

I agree. Drawmer on the 2 buss or the new Portico comp.

Distressor is very agressive sounding, if that's your style then go for it.

I think the 1176 is going to be a better vocal compressor. Distressor for instruments but rarely on the vocal.

[karl_danger]

I always use a distressor on vocals and think its wonderful. I wouldnt use any other compressor on them. The distressor is also quite beautiful on a bass too.
Dont get me wrong though the 1176 is a great compressor..it just has a very distinct sound to it.

[Rodger Hartlett]

distressor is probably a lot more flexible . i have heard the analog circuitry is virtually the same between the two. the real 1176s used input transformers to de-balance the signal for the compressor circuit. i'm not sure if the distressor has an input transformer . differential op-amp front end maybe?

[Middleman]

Originally Posted by karl_danger

I always use a distressor on vocals and think its wonderful. I wouldnt use any other compressor on them. The distressor is also quite beautiful on a bass too.
Dont get me wrong though the 1176 is a great compressor..it just has a very distinct sound to it.

Depends on your style of music. If your straight up rock then yes a distressor can work on the vocal, most other types of music i.e. ballad, country, jazz, I would rather use something else, and not always the 1176.

[In Tune Audio]

Originally Posted by Middleman

Depends on your style of music. If your straight up rock then yes a distressor can work on the vocal, most other types of music i.e. ballad, country, jazz, I would rather use something else, and not always the 1176.

I agree totally. Have used both a moderate amount and both are great units. But if you want in your face the distressor will win out. The 1176 wil beat a lot of comps at that, but nothing beats the distressor for that fat thick in your face tone.