About the G76A-ST Compressor
Introducing our G76A-ST 2-channel FET compressor, based on the classic 1176 Revision A Blue Stripe compressor.
We used the best components for this design, resulting in unmatched sound quality!
Of all the 1176 revisions, Revision A (Blue Stripe) is the most coveted, as it is a piece of equipment that had only 25 original units produced, designed by Bill Putnam, released in 1967. Revision A (Blue Stripe) stands out with its differences, such as the use of FETs in the preamplifier and line amplifiers (unlike later revisions with bipolar transistors) and a higher level of harmonic distortion due to the absence of low-noise circuitry.
This means that, unlike later versions, this Revision A equipment sounds dirtier, more aggressive, and with more harmonic distortion. At higher compression levels, it acts as a limiter, and can present large transient cuts and high levels of saturation. Therefore, if you are looking for a compressor that has a cleaner sound, this is not the ideal equipment. However, if you like equipment with more evident harmonic distortion and that delivers a "dirtier" sound full of harmonics, this Blue Stripe model is the right equipment! This all happens because we, at Greenbox, replicated the compression stage exactly like the first circuit created in the Blue Stripe Revision A, as this same model underwent some reasonably significant changes in the 70s, to make the equipment less aggressive. We chose to maintain the initial configuration of the 25 units manufactured, to truly deliver a piece of equipment with the proposal that audio engineers had in the 60s. In the line amp output stage, we made some very subtle changes, to significantly reduce the noise level of this G76A-ST Revision, as the 1967 model is considered a little noisy by today's standards. This way, we were able to reduce noise without changing the sound characteristics of the equipment at all.
Just like the original model, the G76A-ST has an Attack button with the OFF function (with a click), to turn off the compression. Many brands that clone the 1176 leave out this important detail, using only a common potentiometer in the Attack.
The Ratio pressure switches allow you to press and hold the four buttons (a classic detail of the 1176). All the switches on the G76A are from the Toneluck brand.
All the knobs used on the G76A are original, from the United States.
The front of the equipment is brushed and has the traditional "Blue Stripe" characteristic of the 1176 Rev. A from 1967.
We made a sensational change to the VU pressure buttons. We replaced the GR, +8 and +4 buttons with three buttons that allow you to cut the bass (low cut) of the Sidechain:
- In the IN position, the Sidechain operates without any frequency cut.
- In the 150Hz position, the Sidechain cuts frequencies at 150Hz, and signals below this frequency are not compressed/limited.
- In the 350Hz position, the Sidechain cuts frequencies at 350Hz, and signals below this frequency are not compressed/limited.
With this feature, the equipment opens up an even greater range of possibilities, making it more versatile for compressing certain instruments and vocals.
In this way, with this change, when turning on the equipment, the VU will always operate in the GR (Gain Reduction) function.
Note: When in the OFF position, the equipment is completely turned off, in the same way as in the original version.
UNDERSTAND THE CHANNEL LINK BETTER:
This 2-channel compressor can be used in two different ways: with the sidechain linked or with the sidechain independent on each channel.
When the link switch is on, the two sidechains start to act together, and in this way, if there is more gain at the input of channel 1, channel 2 will receive more signal in its sidechain and will compress more. Therefore, it is advisable that the input gain of channel 1 and channel 2 always be in the same position, so that the link acts in the best possible way.
The Attack and Release times, as well as the Ratio, should also be adjusted equally on both channels, because this way the compression will act equally on both channels. The link switch serves only so that the signals of the two channels pass on both sides of the sidechain equally.
To better understand, let's use an example: If a signal is applied to channel 1, this signal will enter the sidechain of channel 1 and channel 2 equally when the link switch is on, and the same occurs on channel 2, causing the signal to enter the sidechain of channel 2 and channel 1 equally. However, if the link switch is off, the signal from channel 1 will only enter the sidechain of this same channel 1, and the signal from channel 2 will only enter the sidechain of this channel 2.
If you want to use only one channel of the equipment, there is the possibility of leaving only one channel on, as the on/off switches are individual for each channel.
Included Items
G76A-ST compressor, Greenbox external power supply, instruction manual, warranty term.
Warranty: 1 year
Specifications:
External Source
110V/220V ~ (50/60Hz)
Signal Section:
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) 1% @ 5dB Gain
Equivalent Input Noise (noise floor) -80B @ +5dB Gain
Input Impedance 600 Ω (with permalloy audio transformer model TT-6060LN)
Output Impedance 600 Ω (with silicon audio transformer model TT-5050LN)
Frequence Response 20Hz to 20kHz
Compressor Controls
Ratio Variable 2:1 to 10:1
Attack 20 - 800 µs
Release 80-700 ms
Ratios 4:1/8:1/ 12:1 / 20:1 & ABI
Meter Analog VU
General Information
Line Input XLR balanced
Line Output XLR balanced
Front Blue Stripe
Dimensions 3U x 19" x 25cm
Weight 5 kilos
External Power Supply included
