FLASHBACK
UNIVERSAL AUDIO 6176 YEARS MANUFACTURED
1990s (we believe) CATEGORY
1176LN compressor combined with a 610 tube mic preamp. BACKGROUND
Bill Putnam, Jr., the inventor of the 6176 said, “Our design goal was to build an integrated mic preamp and compressor that we would be delighted to use ourselves.” He went on to say he was shooting for a product that would “meet the needs of the modern recording studio while retaining the character of classic vintage equipment.” HOW IT WAS USED
Whenever you needed a world-class compressor and/or amazing, warm mic pre. INTERESTING FEATURES
You can use in “split” or “join” mode to allow for separate or series operation, giving you ultimate flexibility in your recording chain. CAN BE HEARD ON
From Frank Sinatra to Van Halen to Wyclef to Coldplay to Adele to any major studio you’ve ever heard of. OTHER NOTES
The 6176 is unique in that it allows for these two amazing pieces of equipment to be used simultaneously, so you really learn how each interacts with the other. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Don Miggs is a singer/songwriter/producer and fronts the band miggs (Elm City/Capitol Records). His love affair with vintage instruments and gear only presents a problem when he’s awake. Find out more at miggsmusic. com, lalamansion.com, or his FM radio show, @miggsandswig.
48 MAY 2016 PERFORMER MAGAZINE