Universal Audio-- 6176 or the LA-610?

[peneslapepe]

I'm going to get a new pre/comp this week and i'm looking hard at the UA 6176 and the LA-610. The music i make is a mix between Industrial/Classical/Metal/Trip-Hop and I'm looking to get a great all around pre/comp combo if possible. Anyone have any experience with these pre's or anything else in the UA line. Any steer of direction? I already have the FMR audio RNC/RNP combo so I just want something with tons of fat color for when I need it. THanks guys!

=Luigi LaValle=
Euphoric Grey

[LUEDEMANN]

I have the 6176 and the LA 610, the la 610 is good to get a tight low end on a electric guitar and with the 6176 you hav e way more control over t he compression, and you use as a preamp and a 1176 at the same time iwth diff. intruments, the LA 610 is more like one solid channel strip.

[peneslapepe]

No kidding? see... i can use the 610 with my FMR audio RNC compressor besides the LA... can you bypass the comp? I'm not recording a band I'm basicly recording 1 thing at a time. We mic up guitar cabs for heavy guitar tone. We run analogue synths into PT, vocals, and some tribal percussion more than anything else. oh and bass direct. I have around 1000 to spend and I know the 6176 i can get from a buddy wholesale around 1500. Such a hard decision.. I dunno what to do, lol. anybody else help me?

[Mikeren]

The LA in the LA-610 is not as true to the original design as is the 1176 in the 6176. The LA-610 represents a classic vocal chain. I agree the 6176 is more versatile. The solid state flavor of the 1176 complements the tubes of the 610. Try them both. The 610 preamp can be sensitive to overload, dial down the gain or use the pad on loud sources.
The 6176 lets you patch into the preamp and compressor individually. The LA-610 does not, although you can put the compressor in bypass and route it to the RNC. Overall, I think the 6176 is well worth the price difference you're looking at. I have one and use it for nearly everything. You won't regret it.

MR