The Universal Audio 1176 Compressor is a Universal Audio compressor pedal, currently around $129. Close alternatives include the Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor and the Electro-Harmonix M76 Studio Compressor. It pairs well with the Swart MOD 84 and the Marshall Plexi 1959SLP.
Universal Audio 1176 Compressor
Universal Audio · pedal
The Universal Audio UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor is a pedalboard-format recreation of the legendary UREI 1176 FET compressor, widely considered the most-recorded compressor in studio history, using Universal Audio's DSP-powered analog modeling to capture its classic fast, punchy, snappy compression character. It suits guitarists and bassists wanting authentic studio-grade 1176 compression, from subtle leveling to aggressive, colored squash, in a compact stompbox rather than a rack unit.
What stands out
“The Universal Audio UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor is a pedalboard-format recreation of the legendary UREI 1176 FET compressor, widely considered the most-recorded compressor in studio history, using Universal Audio's DSP-powered analog modeli…”
— from the listing
“The UAFX UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor delivers classic 1176 FET compression at Universal Audio quality for studio, rock, and recording players who want studio-grade vintage fet compressor pedal from a respected professional audio manufacture…”
— from the community notes
“Its standout strength is the legendary UREI 1176 FET compressor emulation — the most recorded studio compressor in history — in a compact pedalboard format from its original manufacturer at Universal Audio DSP quality”
— from the community notes
“Studio-grade vintage fet compressor pedal in a compact pedalboard format from a professional audio manufacturer”
— from the reviews
“It suits guitarists and bassists wanting authentic studio-grade 1176 compression, from subtle leveling to aggressive, colored squash, in a compact stompbox”
— from the listing
- compressor
- studio
- compression
- attack
- aggressive
- punchy
- rock
- snappy
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Universal Audio 1176 Compressor is commonly used in
Amps that pair well with the Universal Audio 1176 Compressor
Swart MOD 84
Swart
27% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Universal Audio 1176 Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Marshall Plexi 1959SLP
amplifier
26% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Universal Audio 1176 Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head
Revv
26% matchWhat Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head
PRS
22% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Universal Audio 1176 Compressor's compressed voice suits PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head's own dynamic character
Comes later in the signal chain
Divided by 13 JRT 9/15
Divided By 13
20% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Universal Audio 1176 Compressor's compressed voice suits Divided by 13 JRT 9/15's own dynamic character
Comes later in the signal chain
PRS MT100
PRS
20% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (high headroom → compressed)
What Universal Audio 1176 Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Divided by 13 FTR 37
Divided By 13
19% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
The 1176's fast FET compression evens dynamics before the FTR 37's own boutique, breakup-ready tremolo.
Comes later in the signal chain
Omega Darkglass AO900 Alpha 900 Bass Head
Omega
18% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (high headroom → compressed)
What Universal Audio 1176 Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
See all 116 amps that pair with the Universal Audio 1176 Compressor →
Pedals that stack with the Universal Audio 1176 Compressor
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
EarthQuaker Devices
29% matchRun the 1176's studio-grade FET compression before the Dirt Transmitter to even out dynamics before its low-noise drive kicks in.
Comes later in the signal chain
Crazy Tube Circuits Ziggy Overdrive
Crazy Tube Circuits
29% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Both lean toward dynamic and compressed respectively — close enough in character that they complement instead of clashing
Comes later in the signal chain
Fjord Fuzz Odin
Fjord Fuzz
29% matchThe 1176's fast FET compression evens the signal feeding the Odin's heavy doom fuzz stage.
Comes later in the signal chain
JHS Pedals JHS Kilt V3
JHS Pedals
28% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
The 1176's FET compression tightens attack before the Kilt's British saturation takes over.
Comes later in the signal chain
Jackson Audio Asabi Mateus Asato Signature Overdrive/Distortion
Jackson Audio
21% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Universal Audio 1176 Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Greer Southland
Greer
20% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Universal Audio 1176 Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
DigiTech DOD Looking Glass Signature Designer Distortion
Digitech
19% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (dynamic → compressed)
Universal Audio 1176 Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Catalinbread SuperCharged Overdrive
Catalinbread
18% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain. (high headroom → compressed)
What Universal Audio 1176 Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
See all 35 pedals that pair with the Universal Audio 1176 Compressor →
Cheaper alternatives
Marshall ED 1
Marshall
63% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
T-Rex Comp-Nova
T Rex
57% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Donner Ultimate Comp
Donner
57% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Demon FX CK Compressor
Demon Fx
57% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Olinthus Pillbug Compressor
Olinthus
56% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Kokko FCP2 Mini Compressor
Kokko
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Maxon RTC600 Compressor
Maxon
66% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor
Wampler
61% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Warm Audio Pedal 76 Compressor
Warm Audio
59% similarityShared character: compressor, punchy, attack
Universal Audio Uafx Max Preamp & Dual Compressor
Universal Audio
59% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
Empress Effects Compressor MKII (Blue Sparkle)
Empress
57% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
Warm Audio Pedal 76
Warm Audio
57% similarityShared character: compressor, punchy, attack
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor
Origin Effects
69% similarityShared character: compressor, punchy, attack
Electro-Harmonix M76 Studio Compressor
Electro-Harmonix
67% similarityShared character: compressor, punchy, attack
HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro
Homebrew
60% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
Friedman Sir-Compre
Friedman
60% similarityShared character: compressor, attack, compression
TC Electronic HyperGravity Mini Compressor
TC Electronic
59% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
Line 6 Constrictor
Line 6
56% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, studio
See all alternatives to the Universal Audio 1176 Compressor (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Universal Audio 1176 Compressor?+
The closest matches in character are the Origin Effects Cali76 V2 FET Compressor, the Electro-Harmonix M76 Studio Compressor, the HomeBrew Electronics CPR Compressor Retro. Budget picks: Marshall ED 1, T-Rex Comp-Nova, Donner Ultimate Comp. Boutique upgrades: Maxon RTC600 Compressor, Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor, Warm Audio Pedal 76 Compressor.
What pairs well with the Universal Audio 1176 Compressor?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Swart MOD 84, Marshall Plexi 1959SLP, Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head — Universal Audio 1176 Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying.
How much does the Universal Audio 1176 Compressor cost?+
Around $129 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).