Wampler Ego 76 Compressor: More than an 1176
4,5 / 5,0 | 
Brian Wompler has just released the Wampler Ego 76 compressor! This pedal pays homage to the legendary 1176 Peak Limiter, which has shaped music for decades. With its timeless studio sounds, this pedal is a must-have for any musician looking to take their sound to the next level.
Wampler Ego 76: The Ego has expanded
The 1176 Peak Limiter has been a studio staple since its introduction in 1967. As the first solid-state peak limiter on the market, the original, with its FET-based circuit, gave every signal an unmistakable, “improved” sound, especially when it reached its limits in “British Mode,” where all ratio buttons were pressed.
According to the manufacturer, the Ego 76 attempts to reproduce this magic. But with some contemporary improvements. In terms of parameters, you get six dials: Tone (for tone shaping), Attack, Release, Level (for output level), Blend (like a Dry/Wet knob), and Compress (for ratio). How does it compare to Universal Audio’s pedal version?
Parallel compression
According to Brian, the Wampler Ego 76 offers more energy and brilliance for your guitar sounds compared to using an actual 1176. The pedal also contains two functions that the original doesn’t offer. For example, there is the Blend control, which allows for plenty of parallel compression shenanigans. Compress the hell out of your guitar tone, then blend it to taste with your dry signal and preserve the attacks!
If you compress a guitar signal too much, the high frequencies can sometimes get lost in the heat of the moment. The Tone control can counteract this by adding controlled overtones to the signal. In addition, you get plenty of tone-shaping options through various combinations of Attack and Release, especially with clean tones.
What does the Wampler Ego 76 Compressor cost?
The Wampler Ego 76 Compressor goes for $181 / £173 / €199 at Thomann*.
More on the compressor Pedal from Wampler
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4 responses to “Wampler Ego 76 Compressor: More than an 1176”
is this analog or digital? kind of an important detail.
Sweetwater’s site says it’s analog.
It would be interesting to compare it with Origin Effects Cali 76, which is AMAZING pedal at the top of the game.
Quote: “Brian Wompler…” Somehow that made me laugh so loud my colleagues all looked at me like I had gone mad. Thanks for a good laugh! I am sure this pedal is great, owning several Wamplers myself.