All this bither and bother about having to use an iLok is kind of like cutting off yor nose to spite yor face as my grandmother would say. Me thinks ya'll dost protest too much:-)
 

Nah. I need my nose. So far I haven't needed an iLok.

bitflipper
FET compressor for a hundred bucks. Aww, I wish I could afford it; that's my favorite 1176-style compressor.

Bit
I "think" that this sale is on till the end of June so you have time to save???
 
Has me thinking about it...
Clifford
 
OK spoke to soon it looks like....Middle of june for the sale end........Now I find out it needs an iLok.....hmmmm....now I do have one of them pesky critters because of the Evo software I bought but I really do not like the thought of having to deal with it....it is a pain in the A**       **************** and then some......
 
However it is plugged into the back of my DAW and it never moves so losing it is not a worrie.....but the thought of some day it going dead and haveing to jump the hurdles to get it to work again.....well..........I am not sure....
 
but it a pretty little thing to look at and I am sure that it sounds fantastic!
But iLok ......HHHMMMMMMMMMMM
 
Clifford

This has got me thinking about alternatives. There are so many 1176 clones out there, i'm sure something exists that's equal to the Softube FET Compressor, probably less-expensive, and without the iLok.
 
Yes, the IKM is quite good and purportedly a faithful emulation of the real thing, but like most 1176-class software compressors it's such a faithful replica that it lacks modern bells 'n whistles such as side-chaining, wet/dry mix and lookahead. Stillwell's Rocket is another widely-admired emulation, but also has minimal features.
 
Another possible candidate (thanks to djhart's suggestion above) is Minimal Systems' Punch Evolved ($30). It's an 1176 emulation but with M/S processing added. No external sidechain, lookahead or oversampling though.
 
If you have Guitar Rig you have a decent 1176 emulation whose compression algorithms were created by Softube. I don't have GR, but the compressor features look nice, with side-chaining and a wet/dry mix knob.
 
And then of course you have the Pro Channel 76, which is not an option for me as I've abandoned SONAR Xx for 8.5. I'm assuming it's a plain emulation, too, without side-chain, parallel mix option, lookahead or M/S.
 
Now, if FabFilter would just do an 1176 emulation and load it up with every conceivable bell 'n whistle like they do with everything else...
 

Good ideas for alternative 1176-style comps there, Bit man.  Of the ones you mentioned, my favorite is the IK Black.  The newest version just rocks.  Sounds like real hardware to me.  I haven't tried the newest UAD models, but they're probably the only things that might beat it.  BTW, the IK does M/S processing.
 
I think the Guitar Rig version you refer to is an extra-cost product from NI, part of the Vintage Compressors line.  Also nice, and you no longer have to run it inside GR.
 
As for the Minimal System model, I would advise a demo before purchasing.  This outfit has, shall we say, a "controversial" history -- but if the plugin works for you, great! 
 
Sonar's version does have a wet/dry knob, but that's about it.  Decent for the price.  :-)
 
Cheers,
Eddie

bitflipper
Nah. I need my nose. So far I haven't needed an iLok.

You mix and master with yer nose?
 
Cuuul.

Scratch n Sniff mastering.  It's the latest thing.

yorolpal
Scratch n Sniff mastering.  It's the latest thing.

3rd funniest post by MyOlPal EVAH!!!

bapu
You mix and master with yer nose?

Sure. It's how I know the toast is done when I have headphones on.

Welp...I'm finagling how to get the Active Passive bundle, the CL1-B and the Tonelux Tilt all on three different accounts cause I'm a hopeless addict plus this is how I get most all of my stuff...at fire sale prices.  Dern their hides...uh...I mean thanks fellers for slashin yor prices for a few days.  Bastids.