It was tough to notice a difference between the vocal takes admittedly. However, the plug-in was muddy in comparison to the hardware on the electric guitar.
There is an air/3D about the hardware that I love when tracking especially on vocals. I used both when mixing but tracking always goes through the Audioscape.
@@spinlightstudios Im thinking of picking one up..I just splurged on a pair of 2254s, and an API 5500...a distressor a few months ago. The blue strip is a magical bit of kit though...essential in a bass chain for me. Id love to have the HW
It sounds very close, but that extra 5% matters. I could tell the difference every time, specially on guitars. The real one feels wider and fuller body. I say keep it. The plugin may come close in matching the sound and mojo in mixing, but if you use it for tracking, it will be a different experience for the singer or musician to "feel" the extra 5% the real one has to offer.... possibly leading to better performances in tracking.
Listening on ok speakers but not monitors. UAD surprised me. I preferred UAD on Vocals, Drums and Elect. Guitar. Stam on Bass and Kick. Since my interest in an 1176 was solely for vocals, I now feel comfortable with the UAD. I guess blind test is the way to go. Thanks for this shootout
They both sound great, and I don't think the regular music fan would tell the difference. So I'd sell the hardware if I was you then reinvest the money. Plugins have come of age to the point most top mixing engineers have moved completely in the box. For example Andrew Schepps and Michael Brauer.
You're overlooking that Andrew Schepps, Michael Brauer, etc. can move ITB for mixing because they're receiving tracks that were recorded on chains that are thousands and thousands of dollars for every track. Most pro vocal chains are a Neve into a CL1B which would be over 5 grand, not including the mic and converters, which are probably another 5 grand... and think about all the vocal layers getting similar treatment, along with every other instrument -- the cumulative effect of that is extremely different from someone recording everything through their $400 interface pres. This is something most laptop engineers (not calling you one) take for granted more and more as each day passes, and part of the reason why mediocracy in music is becoming more the norm lately -- at least that's what I believe. Either way, plugins definitely have their use, but 1's and 0's will never replace transformers, tubes, op amps, and all the circuitry analog gear can impart on music and the vibe we feel from it.
UAD seems to have faster attack time and less saturation on the top end. What's funny it's easier to make Waves CLA-76 to sound exactly like hardware when it comes to the classic CLA vocal setting, on UAD it seems impossible, it always smooths out the transient character (beginning of words). I use CLA-76 bluey instead of UAD on vocals but on bass I like UAD rev E more. The release is better/more correct on UAD while "longer" attack setting sounds better on Waves, also Waves has a bit more polished tone to it. More low mid/bass while UAD makes everything a bit thinner
Sorry but I liked the UAD better than the audioscape. I liked the character waaay better, the audioscape sounded a little harsh. Maybe it’s because the UAD was modeled after an actual 1176 comp or whatever but I liked the plugin better.
There’s almost no difference other than what seemed like a smidge more high end on the audioscape ... but then on the blind test I thought the A high more high end... I was about to buy an audioscape now idk lol. I’m not gonna get any uad plug-ins though . Don’t those needs a lot of dsp to use freely ? I was hoping the audioscape was gonna sound a lot more saturated , I wouldn’t be surprised if one could easily match them with an EQ boost , it’s such a tiny difference , about as small as a difference is Iv heard comparing plugin with hardware. Music from the 2000s rock tracks and prior still sound bigger than anything today since slot of these bands are totally itb. Everything sounds too kid forward and utterly flat now. A song like meant to live by switchfoot can’t be done itb and sound like that . Blinks enema album was a great album too, yet their current albums are very mid forwar and sound sterile . Jimmy eat worlds bleed American sounds awesome, now their songs sound sterile too. I want tons of harmonic distortion , it may not make a sound sound super in your face but that’s not the point, it sounds bigger and more lush .
I think the Audioscape does have that magic, but sometimes that difference really is a small percent. I used the UAD version to compare as I think it’s one of the closest emulations. I bought an Apollo twin to use for location recording but mostly use it now for plugins lol. The dsp thing is kinda lame, but now they have spark, so if you already own the plugins you can use native versions of them and don’t need the hardware for dsp. I understand what you mean about those albums, they still sound so good today. New blink stuff is so plastic. Everything sounds cookie cutter at the moment, like the same person is mixing these bands and just using the same presets haha If it’s worth anything, If you have the money, gear is fun and inspiring to use… but plugins have come a long way, so it’s not a necessity to get a good mix.
Yeah usually I feel I hear more depth and dimension from hardware. This case it was very close that all I can notice was a slight high end difference . What’s weird to me is all these bands having epic engineers and producers work with them ..... and then they sound like they do now , lol. I realized I got into playing guitar and music because of the mixing and producing as much as the guitar playing , without a massive lively sounding guitar, you won’t get excited . Same with vocals etc. That’s why I love that switch foot meant to live song, everything on that song is enormous sounding
@@fullalbums5675 I was listening in my car and it was fairly subtle. It could be way more obvious if I was listening in a more critical environment. The fact that the vocals stuck out even in a less than critical environment says a lot though.
Keep it! The UAD sounds thinner and less polished. I could recognize the hardware every time
On vocals and drums it’s got a little special something 🔥
It was tough to notice a difference between the vocal takes admittedly. However, the plug-in was muddy in comparison to the hardware on the electric guitar.
Excellent comparison...I got them all correct except for the Kick.
The Vocal and Bass were the most revealing through focal cms50s.
There is an air/3D about the hardware that I love when tracking especially on vocals. I used both when mixing but tracking always goes through the Audioscape.
Vocals always through the Opto for me! And the 76a when I want some character!
I keep coming back to this. More this this please!!
Sell or keep? Hehe
@@spinlightstudios Im thinking of picking one up..I just splurged on a pair of 2254s, and an API 5500...a distressor a few months ago. The blue strip is a magical bit of kit though...essential in a bass chain for me. Id love to have the HW
@@spinlightstudios ended up buying it. along with the opto and 76d lol
It sounds very close, but that extra 5% matters. I could tell the difference every time, specially on guitars. The real one feels wider and fuller body. I say keep it. The plugin may come close in matching the sound and mojo in mixing, but if you use it for tracking, it will be a different experience for the singer or musician to "feel" the extra 5% the real one has to offer.... possibly leading to better performances in tracking.
Appreciate your take on this! Yes I think the 76A will be staying in the studio 😍
Listening on ok speakers but not monitors. UAD surprised me. I preferred UAD on Vocals, Drums and Elect. Guitar. Stam on Bass and Kick. Since my interest in an 1176 was solely for vocals, I now feel comfortable with the UAD. I guess blind test is the way to go. Thanks for this shootout
No problem! The UAD sounds good!
Hi. I would like to know if you have any opinion about the black lion Bluey compressor. Thanks
I haven’t used it, but have seen good reviews on it! If I hadn’t bought an Audioscape I probably would have tried the bluey.
How do you think this compares to the Pete’s Place BAC500 ? … also have you got this 76a up for sale?
I’m not sure sorry man, haven’t tried it! Naaa I decided to keep it - it’s a great piece of gear!
@@spinlightstudios I’m in Melbourne. I’ll buy it off you
@@JimboJones99 I’ll keep that in mind if I decide to part ways with it!
They both sound great, and I don't think the regular music fan would tell the difference. So I'd sell the hardware if I was you then reinvest the money. Plugins have come of age to the point most top mixing engineers have moved completely in the box. For example Andrew Schepps and Michael Brauer.
I agree, the general listener is not going to know or care 😝 You are very right, plug-ins have excelled so much. Thanks for your input!
You're overlooking that Andrew Schepps, Michael Brauer, etc. can move ITB for mixing because they're receiving tracks that were recorded on chains that are thousands and thousands of dollars for every track. Most pro vocal chains are a Neve into a CL1B which would be over 5 grand, not including the mic and converters, which are probably another 5 grand... and think about all the vocal layers getting similar treatment, along with every other instrument -- the cumulative effect of that is extremely different from someone recording everything through their $400 interface pres. This is something most laptop engineers (not calling you one) take for granted more and more as each day passes, and part of the reason why mediocracy in music is becoming more the norm lately -- at least that's what I believe.
Either way, plugins definitely have their use, but 1's and 0's will never replace transformers, tubes, op amps, and all the circuitry analog gear can impart on music and the vibe we feel from it.
@@aarons6617 thanks... That's it !
Very cool, great share
Thanks man
@@spinlightstudios no problem buddy, you have all my support
UAD seems to have faster attack time and less saturation on the top end. What's funny it's easier to make Waves CLA-76 to sound exactly like hardware when it comes to the classic CLA vocal setting, on UAD it seems impossible, it always smooths out the transient character (beginning of words). I use CLA-76 bluey instead of UAD on vocals but on bass I like UAD rev E more. The release is better/more correct on UAD while "longer" attack setting sounds better on Waves, also Waves has a bit more polished tone to it. More low mid/bass while UAD makes everything a bit thinner
my guess:
vocals: a hw
vocals b plugin
drums a plugin
drums b hw
egtr a hw
egtr b plugin
bass a plugin
bass b hw
kick a plugin
kick b hw
I was wrong as shit
Hardware is always Hardware........mheeen
vocal b is hardware definitely
Sorry but I liked the UAD better than the audioscape. I liked the character waaay better, the audioscape sounded a little harsh. Maybe it’s because the UAD was modeled after an actual 1176 comp or whatever but I liked the plugin better.
No need to be sorry man! I use the uad plugin a lot! It’s great :)
LOL🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
Just so you don’t wanna spend your money, lol
Ain’t no way 😭 audioscape was so much better specially on vocals
There’s almost no difference other than what seemed like a smidge more high end on the audioscape ... but then on the blind test I thought the A high more high end...
I was about to buy an audioscape now idk lol.
I’m not gonna get any uad plug-ins though . Don’t those needs a lot of dsp to use freely ?
I was hoping the audioscape was gonna sound a lot more saturated , I wouldn’t be surprised if one could easily match them with an EQ boost , it’s such a tiny difference , about as small as a difference is Iv heard comparing plugin with hardware.
Music from the 2000s rock tracks and prior still sound bigger than anything today since slot of these bands are totally itb. Everything sounds too kid forward and utterly flat now. A song like meant to live by switchfoot can’t be done itb and sound like that . Blinks enema album was a great album too, yet their current albums are very mid forwar and sound sterile . Jimmy eat worlds bleed American sounds awesome, now their songs sound sterile too. I want tons of harmonic distortion , it may not make a sound sound super in your face but that’s not the point, it sounds bigger and more lush .
I think the Audioscape does have that magic, but sometimes that difference really is a small percent. I used the UAD version to compare as I think it’s one of the closest emulations. I bought an Apollo twin to use for location recording but mostly use it now for plugins lol. The dsp thing is kinda lame, but now they have spark, so if you already own the plugins you can use native versions of them and don’t need the hardware for dsp.
I understand what you mean about those albums, they still sound so good today. New blink stuff is so plastic. Everything sounds cookie cutter at the moment, like the same person is mixing these bands and just using the same presets haha
If it’s worth anything, If you have the money, gear is fun and inspiring to use… but plugins have come a long way, so it’s not a necessity to get a good mix.
Yeah usually I feel I hear more depth and dimension from hardware. This case it was very close that all I can notice was a slight high end difference .
What’s weird to me is all these bands having epic engineers and producers work with them ..... and then they sound like they do now , lol.
I realized I got into playing guitar and music because of the mixing and producing as much as the guitar playing , without a massive lively sounding guitar, you won’t get excited . Same with vocals etc.
That’s why I love that switch foot meant to live song, everything on that song is enormous sounding
B is the hardware for the vocals. It makes a pretty noticeable difference on vocals in my opinion. Other sources are much less obvious
I agree, vocals are the most obvious difference, hardware sounds slightly more saturated.
to me the guitar is super obvious, but to a point that I think HW is just louder
@@fullalbums5675 I was listening in my car and it was fairly subtle. It could be way more obvious if I was listening in a more critical environment. The fact that the vocals stuck out even in a less than critical environment says a lot though.
@@fullalbums5675 I did my best to level match them! There shouldn’t be enough difference to sway a listeners decision.
the plug in sounds very colored...the hardware is much more natural sounding 👍