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$
2,995
.00
Your Savings:
$
500
.00
Msrp:
$
3,495
.00
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SKU
7209
Retro Instruments Sta-Level Tube Compressor
Gold Edition replica of the legendary 1956 Gates Sta-Level tube compression amplifier
MFR# Sta-Level
Product Description
Few pieces of gear are this universally useful and this universally liked. It just doesn't seem to matter what you send through it, the Sta-Level makes everything sound great. What does it do? We've heard engineers refer to the Sta-Level's brand of vintage tube compression as being like a big, warm hug. It's gives that extra something that somehow sits a track right where you want it in the mix. A natural on vocals, amazing on bass, the Sta-Level has outpaced its vintage inspiration (the Gates Sta-Level) as an industry standard. Try it on your tracks and you'll hear why.
- Great for anything but a standard on bass and vocals
- Inspired by the Gates Sta-Level, updated for today
Great for anything but a standard on bass and vocals
Whether it's a thick rock bass sound or old-school type of R&B bass sound, or anywhere in between, the Sta-Level gives a nice bloom to it – really fat and full. Whatever you send its way, the Sta-Level is extraordinarily musical, giving you a natural, warm tone and the right amount of color and control no matter what source you're working with. From hi-hats to horns, acoustic guitars to drums, if you're after a versatile compressor with stacks of vintage warmth, this might be the best sonic investment you make.
Inspired by the Gates Sta-Level, updated for today
The legendary 1956 Gates Sta-Level dominated hit radio in the 1960s and now its magic sound is working its way back to the radio, through Retro's spot-on rendition. The Sta-Level was the first product Retro ever made and it perfectly captures the "Retro philosophy": take a classic, timeless design and seamlessly bring it into the modern world. To update the classic, Retro transformer-balanced the XLR I/O and uses hand-matched audiophile-grade coupling capacitors and high-quality custom-wound transformers throughout. Retro also uses 6BJ6 tubes, more reliable than the original 6386 tubes (though 6386 is a customer's option). All in all, the Retro Sta-Level brings a timeless classic to a new generation of engineers, with a build quality that readies it for generations to come.
Product Specifications
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Tube or Solid State | Tube |
| Channels | Single-Channel |
| Chassis | 19-inch Rack-mount |
| Rack Spaces | 3U |
| Digital I/O | No |
| Compression Type | Optical |
Product Reviews
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Fantastic on vocals and bass!
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Best compressor I've ever owned.
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It is vintage and it is sought after!! Not only does it look fab it has THE sound!!!!
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I used this compressor at a studio tracking vocals for three days. I was so floored with the amazing sounding that I bought one for my studio as soon as I got home. It’s a tube comp so the sound and reaction to signal is similar to a LA-2A, but different, as that’s optical. They both have a slow attack. With the Sta-Level you can hit it with 10db of comp and not hear a thing, no pumping or artifacts. So smooth and open. Works wonders on vocals, bass (for non aggressive music) electric and acoustic guitars. Expensive, yes. One of the best pieces of gear I’ve ever had? Yes.
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This is a great compressor. It adds a little top end, and some thickness to the low end. It's great for vocals, and I hear it's great on bass, although I have not tried it on bass yet. Retro compressors literally out perform almost all other tube compressors, unless you're looking for something non-colored, or non-tube.
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I own both an original gates and now the Retro. Loving the bit more top end air I'm getting from the Retro. super quality build and nice knowing a new unit can sound so close to my original that at times get tweaky and noisy. Good vintage vibe but with new warranty and reliabliity. They nailed it.
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