https://176.relabdevelopment.com/

We wanted to share something different this time around- a clear, no-nonsense look at how this plugin came to be.

This was the second video on the thank you page - and we've summarized it in written form as well.

I just want to make sure you don't miss this.

We'll have more plugin and feature walkthroughs in the coming days as well.

Recreating the Retro 176 in software was a serious undertaking.

There was no shortcut.

The work was hard, precise, and detailed because we know that the sound has to be right.

The bottom line?

Sound quality is the only reason this plugin exists.

If it didn’t meet the hardware standard, it wouldn’t be released.

And if you're anything like us, then for you, sound is everything.

So here’s an in-depth article (and the video) that walks through the journey from concept to finished plugin - how we tackled complex circuit modeling, measurement challenges, and optimization to deliver a tool that behaves like the hardware.

Take a look here:

 

The shadows under the knobs are atrocious. Just a perfect example of how you don't do them.

 

"There's a new movie coming to theaters in December called "How Much Reverb and Compressor Effects Can You Handle?"

Another quick update from the VST Ticker:

Michale wrote that after 27 years of downloading and installing plugins, I went to rehab. "Less is often more."
3 weeks without downloading, initial withdrawal symptoms, but in the end, I was cured.

Dear Michael, greetings and congratulations from the editorial team.

 

For those of us that do not use iLok or, don't want to install a demo, I have found two videos where the quality of the audio allows you to hear the compressor working.

Should also note that I, personally would buy this plugin if it were priced more reasonably and, it was not under iLok. $199 U.S. is kind of steep imho.

 

Last edited: Aug 17, 2025 at 6:27 AM

If R2R cracks it and it's GOOD, I'll grab it. Ain't worth anything more than that IMO...

 

Last edited: Aug 17, 2025 at 7:44 AM

After this one I'll finally have enough compressors to do a pro mix!

 

Waiting patiently for an Audioscape HW clone of the 176.

 

I'll wait till the update with the "Pro Mix" feature added.

 

Honestly I've received an invite to test when It was in beta test...

CPU SPIKES ALL OVER THE PLACE

I prefer to use Kazrog version less cpu madness and still great sound... even arturia is good... and I guess Kiive has one too unsure

RELAB are insane... to run this beast you need the mac that cost 6000 $ US

 

Bought it when it was still in beta. It does sound really great, I mean really great, the hype is kinda real with this one. Bit of a cpu hog of coz

 

Oops!

 

ooof. UI change and rebrand incoming!

I tried it during the beta. its ok. Kinda wonky / unnatural at times depending on the settings. Its pretty gluey, but i did not pick it in blind tests against a few other comps. I tested against ableton's Glue Compressor, Acustica El Rey, and UA Fairchild. I know they are not the same hardware modeled, but they are all generally similar use cases.

 

I was referring to a Hardware clone. Audioscape already covered the STA-Level; now it's time for a 176. Locomotive Audio is too steep $$$, but Audioscape should be reasonable $$$.

 

i don't need it