Anyone with Universal Audio Gear

[earth tones]

Looking for some advice here. I have just recently entered into the world of audio engineering, and am planning my first purchase of outboard gear. I was thinking of the Univeral Audio 610 Pre's and the 1176 compressor. The question I have is in regards to the improvements on the 610, when purchased in the 6176 channel strip. Supposively, an improved power supply provides for better bass response and a lower noise floor. Ideally, I would like two channels of pre and compression. Two of the 6176's would be roughly $100 more than 2 2-610's and 2 2-1176's. I am just wondering if anyone has any experience with these units, and could express any likes/dislikes. I am assuming that I will be safe going either route, but figured I would see what you all had to say. Thank you so much.

[@?,*???&?]

Either way, you'd make the sound of rock. Rumor has it the 2-610 delivers a bit better on the bottom. Having recently worked with the 6176, it did seem a bit leaner on the bottom, but I'm going from memory on this with a succinct A/B situation.

[Slider]

Two API 512c's and dual 1176's would also be a nice purchase.
My 610's are great, but I'm not sure I'd want to track everything with them.
You can never go wrong buying a pair of 1176's.
Still the most useful compressor overall for me.

[mjau]

Just a thought...
Do you need a 2-1176 to run it in stereo, or can you sync 2 6176's together like that?

[joel hamilton]

I personally dont like any of the "all in one" boxes, as the shared power supply seems to really rob BOTH sections of headroom. A 6176 doesnt sound llike my 2-610 through my 1176 period. They are different boxes. I havent really heard a mullti box that sounds REALLY like the two separate things they "replace."

That is why you are hearing from people who claim that a beefed up power supply gives you better peformance. When I tried the 6176 I was like "what the hell?" because the "1176" section doesnt sound like an 1176 reissue or not, and the 610 doesnt sound like a 610. Lame. Sort of the wtered down version of both, "in one convenient box!!!"

Separate components take up more space, and that is not just for fun or bigger knobs, there is a reason for it. A dedicated power supply for a single use box is much more robust in almost every case, and it shows when you run an actual signal through the thing. More headroom, more punch, better sounding all around than the "combo box" approach.

Just my 43 cents.

[JohnDavisNYC]

and the lack of interstage transformers in the all in one boxes.

john.

[joel hamilton]

and the lack of interstage transformers in the all in one boxes.

john.

So true.

You miss out on the goodness of the I/O xformers when you are using an all in one box....

[kayagum]

This is the kind of thread that is SO valuable for all of us. Not just "pick X instead of Y". But the reason as well.

Excellent!

[octobre]

i have to agree. i have really enjoyed working with just the brent avirill 1272 i have and i feel like the quality of it alone surpasses anything i've heard out of a multiple use box. conversely, the UA limiters i like.

[Zeppelin4Life]

and the lack of interstage transformers in the all in one boxes.

john.

So true.

You miss out on the goodness of the I/O xformers when you are using an all in one box....

yeah..and that is kindof what makes the 1176 so special IMO

[LittleDogAudio]

The M610 does indeed sound a bit better as a seperate unit, as does the 1176.

The 610 is quite colored and although has it's place, if used to track too many things in a song, it can get kinda' "wooly" (for lack of a better term)

I like the M610 as a bass direct the best. It also sounds great when used with an SM58 being screamed into by some emo freak. Oh and also it's cool with an AEA R84 as a mono overhead.

I think it's worth the extra scratch to get dedicated circuitry.

Chris

[Slider]

Interesting...
So do you guys think the single 610 sounds better than the 2-610?
Or is this deal with just the 610-1176 combo?

I also agree that the 610 is very good on bass.
It's weird. it will work so good on something one day and not work on something else another day.
I guess that's just how gear is.
Seems more finicky than my other pre's.
Love it just the same.

[gevermil]

yeah , I a/b'd the stand alone 610 with a 6176 and I liked the 610 better .
I asked much the same questions as you when I was working with these units and just got frustrated because UA customer support is shit .I agree with the other opinions that combining the pre and 1176 compromises sonic
character . That said , I did like the unit on some vocals and it made a good bass DI . If you can get a good deal , do it but dont pay what they are asking . I would say if you are stickin with UA get the dedicated units .
I believe that each side in the 6176 ( to its defence ) has I/O transformers
and a shared power supply

[soundguy]

the 1176 that is in the 6176 doesnt sound diufferent because it shares a power supply, it sounds different because it is different, period. Different. You could put a properly designed power supply in these boxes and its no big deal, most of the power supplies that come with MOST things are really terrible to begin with though (and Im talking MOST of what you can buy out there) and is an obvious step for upgrading regardless of what you buy. I dont know for sure, but I really dont think the 6176 is transformerless.

dave

[the_riff]

I bought a 6176 a few months back and haven't been this happy with an all in one unit ever. I love it. Especially on vocals and guitars.