Artists
Don’t just take our word for it.
Retro Instruments products are just part of the equation. The music producers, engineers and artists who put them to use are the other part. Retro Instruments is proud that the most talented folks in the music industry, use and love our recording studio gear. Here’s what they have to say:
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“I have loved the sound and overall quality of the Retro Instruments recording studio gear from the very first time I heard it. Now Retro Instruments gear is essential for all my recording projects. I used the Retro Instruments POWERSTRIP to record Joe Walsh, Steve Lukather and Peter Frampton on the latest Ringo Starr album.”
Bruce SugarGrammy nominated Producer/Engineer -
“If you own a Retro Instruments Sta-Level, treasure it, pamper it, give it a special place in the middle of your recording studio equipment rack… If you don’t own one - buy a Retro Instruments Sta-Level and find out what makes them so desirable! This is the real thing!”
Sylvia MassyGrammy-Winning Producer, Engineer & Mixer -
“The Retro Instruments 2A3 eq is just stunning. I have been loving taking one side and sending it into the other side; creamy, juicy and sweet on the bass. The combo side of the Retro Instruments Sta-Level and the Retro Instruments 2A3 on bass is unbeatable. Retro Instruments has created an instant winner.”
Ross HogarthGrammy-Winning Producer -
“I’m loving my Retro Instruments 2A3. I use it across my recording mix every day.”
Michael BrauerGrammy-Winning Producer & Engineer -
“I put the Retro Instruments 176 in the same class as its legendary inspiration. There are only a handful of compressors that everyone can agree are desert island worthy, time will prove this to be one of them. It’s a perfect vocal tool, now I can’t imagine mixing without it”
“First thing I want to tell you is the 500 pre is absolutely amazing! It’s one of the best vocal mic pres I’ve ever used! I will want to buy this one you’ve sent me and get a second one soon. Congrats on a brilliant effort. I really can’t say enough good stuff about this pre.. I’m using a u47 > Retro 500PRE > Retro 176 on lead vocals and it’s killing it!”
Jacquire KingGrammy-Winning Producer & Engineer -
“Retro Instruments is building tube recording equipment that surpasses the legendary units they were inspired by. The audio performance is phenomenal and the exemplary build quality ensures accurate recall and daily reliability. My Retro Instruments 176 and Sta-Level are both as great as reported on Vocals and Drums but honestly I’ve run just about anything you can imagine through these units, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Vintage Analog Synths, Strings, Piano, all with fantastic results. The Retro Instruments 2A3 adds weight, air, and depth to anything you put it on, just a touch across the mix buss can do wonders. I can’t wait to hear what Retro Instruments builds next.”
John O'MahonyGrammy Nominated Producer & MixerRecently used Retro on: Metric, Sara Bareilles, Vance Joy, The Cribs, Madi Diaz.
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“The Retro Instruments POWERSTRIP is an amazing channel. Everything I put through it comes to life!”
Mat KearneyAward-Winning Singer/Songwriter -
“I was lucky enough to try the Retro Instruments POWERSTRIP, recording new tracks with it recently. It is a very powerful recording tool, and it is a sublime and elegant answer to the basic every day user’s question of what recording chain to use. The Retro Instruments POWERSTRIP seems to be created with the pro in mind, but certainly is the one magic box that every single person should own for their home recording studio.”
“The Retro Instruments REVOLVER is the perfect way to add subtle or over the top mojo to stereo mixes or to single instruments while tracking . The Retro Revolver is 60’s magic dust in box!!”
Devin Powers7 Time Ascap Award Winning Composer -
“I have an original Gates Sta-Level compressor, but it takes second place to my new Retro Instruments Sta-Level. I find myself turning to it for all of the elements that need to be both nuanced and dynamic: vocals, upright bass, bent horns and broken drums…things with the most unique character and complexion. I would swap out half of my recording studio rack for a few more of these.”
Joe HenryGrammy-Winning Producer & Engineer -
“Phil Moore did a great job! Bill Putnam would smile!!! The Retro Instruments 176 has become my first choice for lead vocals, it now stands alone at the finish line!”
Chris Lord-AlgeGrammy-Winning Producer & Engineer -
“What I love about the Retro Instruments Sta-Level is the character that it imparts. I’m using it right now on all my vocal tracks. It can do soft compression and at the same time with it’s faster release mode, it can sound very “In Your Face” with tons of warmth and personality. Believe me, Retro Instruments Sta-Level can add attitude to a lifeless vocal interpretation. I’m so in love with mine that I’m looking to get a second one for my Bass, and in the near future a third one for drums parallel compression.”
Armando AvilaLatin Grammy-Winning Producer -
“The Retro Instruments Sta-Level was the main compressor I used throughout recording the Clapton record. The vocals were recorded mainly through a Neve 1073 and Pultec EQ to tape, letting the tape do the work on the way in. When mixing, I did a little vocal riding and the Sta-Level did the rest. It allowed me to keep Eric’s natural dynamics without ever losing the character or the nuances in his performance.
I also used the Retro Instruments Sta-Level on Wynton Marsalis’ trumpet, which kept the edges of the sound round. Then, whenever we needed to do a guitar or percussion overdub I’d keep it in the chain. It’s just one of those pieces of recording studio gear that makes a whole lot of things sound better once you put it through its painstakingly meticulous design. The Retro Instruments Sta-Level has the warmth, color and control I’ve always looked for in a tube compressor. Thanks again for another magic box.”
Justin StanleyGrammy-Nominated Producer & Engineer -
“The Retro Instruments 176 sounds as impressive as my old tube giants (Gates, Federal, RCA) but also more modern if needed. I continue to use my three Retro Instruments 176’s on every project I do. I can’t be without them! Please keep making gear like this.”
Greg WellsGrammy-Nominated Producer & Engineer -
“The Retro Instruments Sta-Level is an inspiring piece of gear. It’s sound is immediately familiar - Phil was smart enough to incorporate a few new twists that only make this silky compressor even more usable.”
“Retro Instruments consistently raises the bar when it comes to creating classic-referenced professional audio products that exceed the originals - and the Retro Instruments OP-6 is no exception. In placing the Retro Instruments OP-6 side by side against the elusive RCA OP-6 in a very good science listening test, I invariably chose Retro Instruments, time after time. And for good reason. It simply sounded better.”
Glenn RosensteinGrammy-Winning Producer, Engineer & Mixer -
“The Retro Instruments 2A3 has become my new ‘go to’ on kick. Clean and open but big with lots of character. Everything Retro Instruments makes is just quality tone recording studio gear.”
Joe ChiccarelliTen-time Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer/mixer -
“Normally a compressor controls sound, the Retro Instruments 176 “creates” sound.
Shed No More Tears about it, the Retro Instruments 176 IS the Master Of Puppets.”
Michael WagenerProducer, Engineer -
“The Retro Instruments recording gear was brilliant as always on the new Switchfoot record. Retro Instruments Sta-Level on vocals, 176 on drums and 2A3 on guitars.”
F. Reid ShippenGrammy-Winning Producer & Engineer -
“Just wanted to thank you for the AMAZING Retro Instruments 176, the vocals on is wawwwwwwwww! Cheers!”
Jean Marie RiachiGrammy-Nominated Producer & Engineer -
So much feeling jumps right out from my monitors through my Retro Instruments gear. which happen to be a pair of 176 Limiting amplifiers and the 2A3 Dual Program EQ. I am hooked and seriously Blown Away what it creates when mixing and mastering. Retro instruments outboard gear are my go to plugins literally plug it in the wall, plug it in and out of my audio interface Wahla MAGIC!
Rome PalermoGrammy nominated Producer/Engineer
