Retro Instruments Sta-Level Tube Compressor

I’ve been looking for a top shelf compressor that can be my go to for everything, both in tone and function. There are too many forums these days inundated by engineers who think it is an abomination that you wouldn’t have 10 different compressor tones at your disposal at all times. That’s simply false for most users, especially in this home/freelance producer world. Anybody who is just looking for one compressor to spend good money on that makes everything sound amazing, the Sta Level is the best I’ve found. The first thing I find old vari-mu designs usually choke on is modern deep kick drums, and I have tested many of the current designs. The Sta Level was the first one that ate them up in the most beautiful way, and when set to distort (triple mode) did so in a musical way. You just can’t get this to sound bad on anything. It can still pump if you want, and you can do multiple passes to great effect, but it’s not going to be a Distressor and stomp the signal immediately. It’s just going to make any source sound better.

If you want to get something that sounds like records but lets you still focus on making music, this is it. Highly recommended.

Really liking this unit. Mainly the sound is truly awesome: Different qualities of smooth from sweetening up to fairly intense, all the while keeping the high end intact and never seeming dull. Nice to have the different options of MODES and RECOVERY TIME, which create the different sounds. Have used it on bass guitar and voice through a BAE 1073 style pre-amp; the Sta-Level in those situations has brought out the coloration of the pre-amp, as well as I perceive adding its own smoothness. As audio enthusiasts can say about certain gear, there doesn't seem to be a bad setting...just tune the sound the way one wants it in the context of the production values. Truly built like a tank, and eye catching in the studio rack.

Fantastic on vocals and bass!

Best compressor I've ever owned.

It is vintage and it is sought after!! Not only does it look fab it has THE sound!!!!

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.

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.

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.