Help me decide on a compressor
Hey everybody, I’m torn between a couple compressors. Everybody is recommending I buy an Origin Cali76, and quite frankly I’m just not in a spot to spend $400+ on a comp right now, with a child in the very near future.
While sure I may grab one in the future, I’m looking for a budget ‘hold me over in the meantime’ option.
I was looking at the UA 1176 Pedal, which is another 1176 style compressor but - it’s made by Universal Audio, the same company that makes the actual 1176 studio compressor - so it feels like it would be the closest as a budget option.
On the other end, I borrowed a Keeley Bassist Limiter for some recording this weekend, and I like how straight forward it is and it gives me just the right amount of squeeze.
It seems like a no brainer to just buy what I know I like, but I’m curious if the UA 1176 Pedal would be the better buy, since everybody says the Cali76 is THE best and maybe the UA 1176 is ‘closer’ to that sound than the Keeley.
TL:DR - budget compressor, should I buy a Keeley Bassjst that I know I like, or buy the UA 1176 Pedal?
I don’t believe I’ll be able to put my hands on a UA 1176 before buying.
Posted May 24, 2026, 2:55 AM UTC