UAD 1176 vs UAD 1176SE

[jlaudon]

I was wondering what the difference is between these two versions - is there any audible difference? (counting my pennies these days, and want to know if buying the full version is worth it).

Thanks.

[rodger1811]

If you buy the 1176 you automatically get the SE version from UAD.

[jlaudon]

Thanks - but actually I have the SE version which comes free when buying a UAD card, and wanted to clarify the differences in sound before upgrading to the full version.

[newrigel]

From the UA website:
"New 1176SE "Special Edition" plug-in uses very little DSP"

[bayswater]

The full version will use more resources but it sounds better at more extreme settings. At light settings, it doesn't make a lot of difference. If you use the SE version a lot it's probably worth the cost of the full version. It's going cheap in the June sale.

[Phil O]

I find that if I use a lot of compression on a bass track (like if the player is all over the place), that the full version does a better job. The SE version seems to be a little distorted. That's the only place I've noticed a difference in audio quality - heavy compression of low frequency material. But, even so, I'll usually grab the 1176 if I have the resources and only use the SE on high track counts. Dunno, maybe it's just a placebo.

Phil

[Dave Bourke]

From the UA manual:

"The 1176SE is derived from the 1176LN. Its algorithm has been revised in or-
der to provide sonic characteristics similar to the 1176LN but with signifi-
cantly less DSP usage. It is provided to allow “1176LN-like sound” when DSP
resources are limited.

"The 1176SE behavior is practically identical to the 1176LN. Its sound is
nearly identical too, but certain compromises had to be made in order to
squeeze the extra DSP performance that the 1176SE provides. At nominal set-
tings the sonic difference is negligible. At extreme (cranked) settings, nobody
with “golden ears” will say it sounds exactly like the 1176LN, but it still
sounds great and is very usable in most situations."

Also, I believe that the 1176LN is a feedback-style compressor, whereas the 1176SE uses the feedforward scheme. (If this sounds like I know what I'm talking about, it's because I remember reading it in a similar topic to this on the UA board).



Kind regards.