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Universal Audio UADx 1176 Compressor

Universal Audioenthusiastcritical fields unverified· 2/3 detail specs sourced · 1 flagged for verification
Universal Audio UADx 1176 Compressor

An enthusiast-tier UADx plugin emulating the classic 1176 FET compressor, available in VST3, AU, and AAX for Mac and Windows as a native (non-DSP) plugin. It brings UA's take on the fast, aggressive 1176 character to a standard plugin host without dedicated DSP hardware. The practical read is straightforward: it's for engineers who specifically want UA's 1176 in a native workflow.

Scores

Breakdown
Overall69±6

Caliber-forward blend — tier caliber + within-tier price rank 30%, value 25%, confidence 20%, compatibility 15%, upgrade path 10% — renormalized over applicable dimensions; excluded here: compatibility (no ecosystem dimension).

Beginner Friendliness74
Compatibility50
Confidence68
Pro Readiness52
Upgrade Path65
Value90

The ± band on the overall score reflects sourcing confidence — wider when fewer specs are verified.

How each score is computed: our scoring methodology.

Specifications

SpecValueVerification
plugin formatsVST3, au, AAXFlagged
plugin typecompressorSourced
os supportmacos, windowsSourced

2/3 detail specs sourced · 1 flagged for verification. Amber rows are flagged for verification — we show them as reported, not confirmed.

Verdict

Who should skip this

  • Engineers wanting transparent, surgical dynamics control - the 1176 character is fast and colored by design
  • Beginners learning gain staging - its fixed-ratio, attack-quirk workflow rewards experience over a cleaner modern compressor

Where to buy

List price $99

Prices are a guide and can change — confirm the current price on the retailer's site before buying.

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Compatibility

No platform-specific compatibility requirements — this works in any standard music production setup.

Upgrade path

Outgrow it and the Native Instruments Massive X is the natural next step up in plugins. See it →