Relab 176 Compressor/Limiter
The Relab 176 is a meticulous plugin re-creation of one of the most coveted tube compressors of all time, delivering smooth, musical compression with rich harmonic character.
About
The Relab 176 is a meticulous plugin re-creation of one of the most coveted tube compressors of all time, delivering smooth, musical compression with rich harmonic character.
Product details
Delivery, formats, and options
Delivery
Features That Preserve the Sound — and Expand the Workflow
Ratio-Driven Knee Behavior for Nuanced Dynamics
The Relab 176 follows the original fixed-ratio compression design with four ratio settings that each produce a distinct compression character. Compression intensity adjusts naturally, ensuring maximum dynamic range at every setting — from gentle leveling to aggressive limiting.
Program-Dependent Timing from True Circuit Interaction
Attack and release times come from resistor-capacitor networks modeled directly in the gain stage. Timing is program-dependent — meaning it responds to the dynamics of your audio, not static envelope curves. The result is bigger, more musical compression that breathes with the performance.
Polarity-Selective Detection for Targeted Transient Control
The Relab 176 changes how the sidechain detector responds to the incoming signal — just like adjusting multiple trim pots on the original hardware. This gives you targeted transient control: taming kick drum attack without touching low-end body, or de-essing vocals without affecting overall presence.
Shift Bias, Harmonics, and Threshold in a Single Move
A single control that moves multiple related parameters together, replicating exactly how component tolerances shift the behavior of the original hardware. Tone Shaping warms, brightens, or tightens tone depending on the setting — matching real-world hardware variability in the plug-in domain.
Transformer Path for Sub-Mix Attack, Resistor Path for Vintage Thump
The Stage Coupling switch changes how the variable-gain tube stage connects to the output. Transformer adds a classic pad-to-attack character with fuller tone. Resistor gives a more open, direct sound. Both deliver the unmistakable 176 speed, tone, and behavior.
Advanced Bias and Level Tuning
Color Tweak lets you push the harmonic content from clean through gritty by adjusting the tube operating point. Unit Level gives you a reference-level calibration so you can match the plug-in precisely to your gain staging — the same adjustments available inside the original hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Relab 176 is modeled on the classic UREI/Universal Audio 1176 FET compressor/limiter — one of the most widely used compressors in recording history. The plug-in captures the complete circuit behavior including the FET gain reduction stage, program-dependent timing, and transformer characteristics.
Stage Coupling switches between Transformer and Resistor output paths. Transformer coupling adds the character of an output transformer — fuller tone, classic pad-to-attack behavior. Resistor coupling gives a more open, direct sound. Both preserve the core 176 compression character while offering different tonal flavors.
Tone Shaping moves multiple circuit parameters together — bias, harmonics, and threshold — replicating how component tolerances vary between individual hardware units. It lets you dial in warmer, brighter, or tighter tonal variations that match real-world hardware differences.
The Relab 176 supports VST, VST3, AU, and AAX on macOS (including Apple Silicon native), and VST, VST3, and AAX on Windows. It works with all major DAWs including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Cubase, Studio One, and Reaper.
Yes. The Relab 176 runs natively on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) with no Rosetta translation required, giving you maximum performance and the lowest possible latency on modern Macs.
The Relab 176 uses PACE iLok for authorization. You can activate on an iLok USB dongle or directly on your computer using machine-based authorization — no physical dongle required. A free iLok account and current PACE drivers are needed.
When all four ratio buttons are engaged simultaneously, the 176 enters a distinctive ultra-fast compression mode that produces aggressive, heavily colored compression — a studio trick that became a signature sound on drums, vocals, and room mics. The Relab 176 faithfully reproduces this behavior.
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If the Relab 176 does not meet your expectations for any reason, contact support within 30 days of purchase for a full refund — no questions asked.
Relab 176 Compressor/Limiter