Retro Instruments 176 Limiting Amplifier

Controls: Continuously variable Attack and Release, Ratio (2:1/4:1/8:1/12:1), sidechain highpass filter, vocal asymmetry control, hard-wire bypass, interstage transformer bypass, VU meter switch (Input/Output/Gain Reduction), integral tube balance test

I/O: XLR in/out, transformer balanced; interstage transformer bypass switch

Notable use: Cited users: Michael Wagener, Rome Palermo, Greg Wells

Notes: Evokes the 1176/UA 176 tube-limiter era — built as a faithful reproduction of Bill Putnam's 1960s UA 176 (the tube ancestor of the later solid-state/FET 1176). 20 dB max gain reduction, >76 dB S/N, <1% THD (0–15 dB GR). Dimensions (2U, 3.5"H x 9.5"D) and dealer prices ($2,995–$4,129 range seen across retailers/reviews) came from third-party listings, not the manufacturer page — price left blank per golden rule since no MSRP is published on retroinstruments.com. Tube complement and year of introduction not published on manufacturer site.