Black Lion Audio Bluey Single-Channel FET Limiter
The Bluey is a single-channel FET limiter that recreates one specific unit: the Blue Stripe 1176 that mix engineer Chris Lord-Alge preferred over all his others. Black Lion studied that unit, changed over years of repairs, and rebuilt it with him, adding a blend control and a stereo link.
What sets it apart
- Recreated with Chris Lord-Alge from his own 1176
- His console's insert path built into the circuit
- Mix knob for parallel compression
- Custom CineMag transformers
One unit, not a model
Chris Lord-Alge owns several Blue Stripe 1176s, but only one had what he was after. Black Lion's head engineer flew to Los Angeles to examine it: years of repairs and replacement parts had ended up changing how it behaved. Black Lion analyzed those changes and reproduced the result, right down to the insert path of Chris's console, now built into the unit.
What was added
The Mix knob blends dry and compressed signal, so you can squash a vocal or snare hard and still keep the original attack. An RCA jack links two Blueys in stereo. The four ratios combine freely, all buttons in included, and the attack knob speeds up as you turn it left, like a volume control.
How it's built
The board follows a vintage-style layout; the parts list calls for 1% resistors and polyester caps, and power comes from a linear supply. Every unit is hand-assembled and tested in the United States. Black Lion requires balanced XLR cables on both input and output.
Specifications
| Type | FET limiter, single channel |
|---|---|
| Ratios | 4:1, 8:1, 12:1, 20:1 and combinations |
| Attack | 20 to 800 µs, continuously variable |
| Release | 50 to 1,200 ms, continuously variable |
| Controls | Input, Output, Attack, Release, Mix |
| Input and output | Balanced XLR |
| Stereo link | RCA |
| Format | 2U rack, 25 cm deep, 8 kg |
| Power supply | Linear, IEC, 115/230 V |
What it's for
- Lead vocals pushed forward in the mix
- Snare compressed in parallel
- Stereo pair on a drum bus
Compared with other manufacturers
Other FET compressors with the same inspiration:
| Manufacturer | Model | Key trait |
|---|---|---|
| Black Lion Audio | Bluey | Based on Chris Lord-Alge's 1176, Mix |
| Universal Audio | 1176LN | Release from 50 ms to 1.1 s |
| Warm Audio | WA76-A | Blue Stripe voicing, CineMag |
| Purple Audio | MC77 | Attack from 20 to 800 µs |
Frequently asked questions
- How is the Bluey different from an 1176?
- It reproduces one specific unit, modified over the years, rather than the factory model, and adds the Mix knob, stereo link and the insert path of Chris Lord-Alge's console.
- Can it do parallel compression?
- Yes, right from the Mix knob, with no console or second channel needed.
- Can two be linked in stereo?
- Yes, with an RCA cable between the link jacks.
- Does it do all-buttons-in mode?
- Yes: the ratios combine, all the way to having every one pressed.
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