Just like on the original 1176 the link merely sums the Sidechain Detection. All
controls are still need to be independently set for stereo operation.
Ratio Select: The Ratio control allows the user to select from: 4:1, 8:1, 10:1, 20:1
and Aggro (All Buttons In) compression ratios.
Meter Select: Here the user can select to see Gain Reduction (GR), Output, or
Bypass the compression circuit on the VU Meter.
VU Meter: Here we find our Reference in terms of what is happening inside the
M76. The Meter select control determines what the user sees on the VU meter.
Power Switch: The M76 is powered on whenever a Meter Select position is
selected other than OFF. To power off simply select OFF.
Basic Setup: Letting your Ears do the Work
Setting up the M76 is fairly straight forward. For signal to pass the M76 needs an
input and output that is balanced since it is transformer balanced. If using your
M76 in a send return unbalanced configuration you will need to have a Pair of
Pseudo Balanced connections or a balancing box in order for your M76 to work
correctly. Pseudo-Balancing requires that Pin1 and Pin3 be tied together at both the
input and output of the M76.
If you are a first time user of this classic design, Start with the input all of the way
down and the output at 12 O’clock. Attack and Release controls should also be set
at 12 O’clock as it is simply the best baseline. Set the ratio at 4:1, the meter to
Gain Reduction and then send the M76 input signal. Once signal is sent to the
M76 start turning up the input signal until Gain Reduction is shown on the meter.
From there, simply use your ears and season to flavor.
The M76 is capable of very heavy compression with little artifacts and is an
incredibly diverse tool for compressing, limiting and overall tonal shaping.
