Ego 76 Compressor
I'm thrilled to introduce the Wampler Ego 76 compressor pedal, my personal tribute to the iconic studio compressor that has shaped the fabric of music over the decades – the legendary 1176 Peak Limiter. This pedal isn't just a piece of gear; it's a journey into the soul of timeless studio tones, and I'm excited to share its story.
The Ego 76 transcends the conventional role of a pedal compressor, moving beyond merely squishing your signal to actually enriching and elevating your sound. Fueled by FET-based (field-effect transistor) technology, I gave the pedal studio-like Attack and Release controls, a Parallel Clean Blend knob, and a meticulously tuned Tone knob. I carefully designed each element to encapsulate the spirit of the iconic 1176 and bring a touch of that magic to your pedalboard.
The Ego 76 isn't just a compressor pedal – it's an experience in the heart of iconic studio tones. With its roots in the 1176’s legacy, once you plug the Ego 76 in, you may find it challenging to turn it off. It seamlessly becomes an integral part of your musical expression and a direct connection to the timeless magic of the 1176 Peak Limiter.
$199.97
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 the all-buttons-in “British Mode.” The Ego 76 seeks to reproduce that magic – the same foundational sound, but enhanced, delivering more energy and brilliance to your guitar tones. For me, this pedal is a nod of appreciation to the hero behind iconic sounds that have withstood the test of time.
Studio-Style Control
I wanted the Ego 76 to be a full-featured compressor in a pedal format. Each control – Tone, Attack, Release, Level, Compress, and the Parallel Clean Blend – offer 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. All of this transforms the Ego 76 from being just another part of your setup into an essential voice in your musical expression.
Parallel Compression
Adding a layer of versatility to the Ego 76 is the inclusion of the Parallel Clean Blend control, a feature derived from classic studio techniques. This technique, often employed to maintain control over levels and sweeten parts without sacrificing dynamics, allows you to seamlessly blend your original tone back in. The result is a perfect equilibrium between compression and the natural voice of your guitar, breathing life into your playing.
Capturing All of the Magic
From the beginning, I knew that simply “cloning” the 1176’s FET compression circuitry wouldn’t quite capture the original’s sound. It misses the nuances of a recording studio’s preamps, consoles, and the other hardware that we hear on recordings. It is all of those things combined that create that elusive ‘glue’ in our favorite guitar tones. So, I made sure that the Ego 76 recreates every bit of that tonal magic while nailing my interpretation of the 1176’s soul. It then condenses it all into the compact guitar pedal you see here.
See it in action:
Technical Details
- Built in the U.S.A.
- High-grade components selected for superior sound and response
- Premium chameleon sapphire finish and aluminum controls
- Six controls – Tone, Attack, Release, Level, Blend, Compress
- Battery connection and 9V power jack
- Top-mounted input and output jacks
- True bypass switching
- Includes limited 5-year warranty
- Dimensions: 2.5” x 4.6” x 1.5” (64mm x 120mm x 38mm) – height excludes knobs and switches
- Power draw: 20mA, 9V DC Do not exceed 9V DC
Customer Support
WAMPLER Pedals Limited Warranty. WAMPLER offers a five (5) year warranty to the original purchaser that this WAMPLER product will be free from defects in material and workmanship. A dated sales receipt will establish coverage under this warranty. This warranty does not cover service or parts to repair damage caused by accident, neglect, normal cosmetic wear, disaster, misuse, abuse, negligence, inadequate packing or shipping procedures and service, repair or modifications to the product, which have not been authorized by WAMPLER. If this product is defective in materials or workmanship as warranted above, your sole remedy shall be repair replacement as provided below.
RETURN PROCEDURES. In the unlikely event that a defect should occur, follow the procedure outlined below. Defective products must be shipped, together with a dated sales receipt, freight pre-paid and insured directly to WAMPLER SERVICE DEPT – 5300 Harbor Street, Commerce, CA 90040, USA. A Return Authorization Number must be obtained from our Customer Service Department prior to shipping the product. Products must be shipped in their original packaging or its equivalent; in any case, the risk of loss or damage in transit is to be borne by the purchaser. The Returns Authorization Number must appear in large print directly below the shipping address. Always include a brief description of the defect, along with your correct return address and telephone number.
When emailing to inquire about a returned product, always refer to the Return Authorization Number. If WAMPLER determines that the unit was defective in materials or workmanship at any time during the warranty period, WAMPLER has the option or repairing or replacing the product at no additional charge, except as set forth below. All replaced parts become a property of WAMPLER. Products replaced or repaired under this warranty will be returned via ground shipping within the United States freight prepaid. WAMPLER is not responsible for costs associated with expedited shipping, either to WAMPLER or the return of the product to the customer.
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE. In no event is WAMPLER liable for any incident or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability of the possibility of such damages, or any other claim by any other party. Some states do not allow the seclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which may vary from state to state.
FOR YOUR PROTECTION. Please complete the online warranty registration within (10) ten days of the date of purchase so that we may contact you directly in the event of a safety notification issued in accordance with the 1972 Consumer Product Safety Act.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantees that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures.
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experience radio/TV technician for help.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s warranty to operate the equipment.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT. Our dedicated staff is ready to help you with any warranty or product questions – please email us at [email protected] or call us on (765) 352-8626.
Please remember to register your pedal as soon as possible after purchase at the following web page to ensure quicker service if you should ever need to make a warranty claim: warranty registration
trevorr.nourse (verified owner) –
This is my First Wampler pedal. I have used many top brands of compressors and this is the only one I will keep on my board. Low noise and actually enjoy the tone. I find this pedal to almost eliminate the need to run a compressor plugin while recording now. The price is worth it. Great Job and Thank you Wampler!!