Next up, we'll be taking a listen to the RETRO 176 Limiting Amplifier. This thing is a beast! Based on the original UA 176, which most of us have never had, and will never have hands on experience with.
You can CLICK HERE to read more on it from RETRO, but let's just sum it up and say that this thing is extremely versatile. It's a Vari-Mu tube design, and is capable of 2:1 - 12:1 ratios. What makes this unit interesting though is the Asymmetry tool, and the "Interstage Transformer" switch. Both of which allow a variety of tones and options. The other great feature on this unit is the built in side chain HPF feature with a range up to 2.2kHz, so you can keep your low end unmolested. From what I understand of the Asymmetry tool, it allows the unit to react to the full waveform, or either the + or - side of the waveform. Yeah, sounds like voodoo. But it's pretty cool, and you can hear the differences on the right sources.
Ok, I'm not here to write a crappy review of the damn thing, so let's get to it!
This time, I'm starting with verse 2, as there was some high end sizzle in the track being brought out on the LA-2A clips. b0se sent me a new recording of the verse, so let's see how this one does. I'm not going to go through every option at every level, as there are so many variables with this unit. Instead, I'll go through most of the options at levels I feel are reasonable, more or less matching the raw/bypassed track volume level.
VERSE 2: (settings as pictured):
(stay tuned - more clips to follow later)
You can CLICK HERE to read more on it from RETRO, but let's just sum it up and say that this thing is extremely versatile. It's a Vari-Mu tube design, and is capable of 2:1 - 12:1 ratios. What makes this unit interesting though is the Asymmetry tool, and the "Interstage Transformer" switch. Both of which allow a variety of tones and options. The other great feature on this unit is the built in side chain HPF feature with a range up to 2.2kHz, so you can keep your low end unmolested. From what I understand of the Asymmetry tool, it allows the unit to react to the full waveform, or either the + or - side of the waveform. Yeah, sounds like voodoo. But it's pretty cool, and you can hear the differences on the right sources.
Ok, I'm not here to write a crappy review of the damn thing, so let's get to it!
This time, I'm starting with verse 2, as there was some high end sizzle in the track being brought out on the LA-2A clips. b0se sent me a new recording of the verse, so let's see how this one does. I'm not going to go through every option at every level, as there are so many variables with this unit. Instead, I'll go through most of the options at levels I feel are reasonable, more or less matching the raw/bypassed track volume level.
VERSE 2: (settings as pictured):
(stay tuned - more clips to follow later)
Last edited: