Wampler EGO 76 1176-Style Compressor Guitar Effect Pedal

The EGO 76 doesn’t squash your signal – it enhances it.

The EGO 76 is Brian Wampler’s tribute to the iconic studio compressor that has shaped the fabric of music for decades – the legendary 1176 Peak Limiter. This compressor pedal takes you on a journey into the soul of timeless studio sounds. The EGO 76 transcends the conventional role of a pedal compressor, moving beyond merely squishing your signal to significantly enriching your tone. 

Fueled by FET-based (field-effect transistor) technology, Wampler gave the EGO 76 studio-like Attack and Release controls, a Parallel Clean Blend knob, and a meticulously tuned Tone knob.  Each carefully designed element encapsulates the spirit of the iconic 1176 and brings a touch of that magic to your pedalboard.

The 1176 Peak Limiter

The 1176 Peak Limiter, a studio mainstay since its introduction in 1967, marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of studio gear. As the first solid-state peak limiter on the market, its FET-based circuitry endowed it with a distinctive "enhanced" sound, particularly when pushed to its limits in "British Mode." The EGO 76 reproduces that magical foundational sound and goes further by delivering brilliance to your guitar tones.   It is Brian’s boutique nod of appreciation to the iconic compressor sounds that have withstood the test of time.

Studio-Style Control

The EGO 76 is a full-featured compressor in a pedal format. Each control – Tone, Attack, Release, Level, Compress, and the Parallel Clean Blend – offers precise shaping of your tone and dynamics. The Tone control adds just the right amount of brightness to capture the 1176’s famed energy, while the Attack and Release knobs give you command over crucial compression parameters, usually only found in studio gear.

Parallel Compression

The Parallel Clean Blend control adds a layer of versatility to the EGO 76, a feature derived from classic studio techniques. This technique is often employed to maintain control over levels and sweeten parts without sacrificing dynamics, allowing you to seamlessly blend your original tone back in. The result is a perfect equilibrium between compression and the natural voice of your guitar.

Capturing All of the Magic

Simply “cloning” the 1176's FET compression circuitry wouldn’t quite capture its’ original sound.  It would be missing the nuances of a recording studio's preamps, consoles, and the other hardware that we hear on recordings. These elements combined create that elusive 'glue' in our favorite recorded guitar tones.  Brian Wampler’s EGO 76 recreates every bit of that tonal magic.

The net result is that the EGO 76 is a sonic experience from the heart of iconic studio recording history. With its roots in the 1176 legacy, once you plug the EGO 76 in, you may find it difficult to turn it off. It will become an integral part of your musical expression and a direct connection to the timeless magic of the 1176 Peak Limiter.