A Letter From Bill Putnam, Jr.
_____________________________________________________________
iii
Thank you for purchasing the 6176 Channel Strip. The 6176 combines a modified channel of our 2-610
vacuum tube microphone preamplifier with our 1176LN all discrete solid state FET-based limiter /
compressor.
The 2-610 was inspired by the microphone preamp section of the original 610 console designed by my
father, M.T. “Bill” Putnam, in 1960. The 610 was a rotary-control console and it was also the first
console of a modular design. Although technologically simple compared to modern consoles, the 610
possessed a warmth and character that kept it in demand for decades. A prominent component of my
father’s United/Western Studios in Los Angeles, the 610 was used on many classic recordings by
Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan, as well as the Beach Boys’
Pet Sounds
and
the Doors’
LA Woman
.
My father also designed the 1176 limiting amplifier, back in 1966. There were many versions of the
1176 produced throughout the years. We patterned our 2001 reissue on the D/E versions, prized by
engineers the world over and widely believed to be the best-sounding models. These versions were
characterized by their custom transformer input stage, low noise (LN) circuitry, and Class A (1108
style) output stage. (Later versions replaced the Class A output stage with a push-pull Class-AB
output stage, and eventually replaced the transformer input with a differential op-amp circuit.) The
limiting / compression section in the 6176 captures that highly recognizable blackface 1176LN sound.
Most of us at Universal Audio are musicians and/or recording engineers. We love the recording
process, and we really get inspired when tracks are beautifully recorded. Our design goal for the 6176
was to build an integrated mic preamp / compressor that we would be delighted to use ourselves—
one that would capture the original character of the 610 and 1176LN to create a device that induces
that
“a-ha”
feeling you get when hearing music recorded in its most natural, inspired form.
You’ll find that the controls of the 6176 are simple and essential: we added only those features
required for practical use without needless duplication of functionality found elsewhere in most
studios. The transformers and tubes received much of our R&D attention. We opted for a transformer
design that features double-sized alloy cores with custom windings. Our tubes are carefully selected
and tested individually. To us, this extra effort is well worth the time and cost because the end result
is an outstanding yet easy-to-use product that combines a legendary mic preamp with a legendary
limiter/compressor, making for a sound that is truly extraordinary.
Developing the 6176 —as well as Universal Audio’s entire line of quality audio products designed to
meet the needs of the modern recording studio while retaining the character of classic vintage
equipment—has been a very special experience for me and for all who have been involved. While, on
the surface, the rebuilding of UA has been a business endeavor, it's really been so much more than
that: in equal parts a sentimental and technical adventure.
We thank you, and we thank my father, Bill Putnam.
Sincerely,
Bill Putnam, Jr.
