"I have an original Gates Sta-Level compressor, but it takes second place to my new Retro version. 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 rack for a few more of these."

Joe Henry

Grammy Winning Producer & Engineer

joehenrylovesyoumadly.com

 "I put the Retro 176 in the same class as its legendary inspiration. There are only a handful of compressors that everyone an 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"

Jacquire King

Grammy Winning Producer & Engineer

jacquireking.com

"The Retro 2A3 has become my new ‘go to’ on kick. Clean and open but big with lots of character. Everything Retro makes is just quality tone.”

Joe Chiccarelli

Grammy Winning Producer, Engineer & Mixer

myspace.com/joechiccarelli

"Normally a compressor controls sound, the Retro 176 “creates” sound. Shed No More Tears about it, the 176 IS the Master Of Puppets.”

Michael Wagener

Producer, Engineer

Michael Wagener is the owner of WireWorld Studio in Tennessee. Michael has his name on over 94 Million albums sold. His list of credits include: Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Alice Cooper, Mötley Crüe Skid Row, Extreme, Janet Jackson, Queen, Dokken, White Lion, Stryper, Accept, Helloween, Great White, Plasmatics, Poison, Megadeth, Testament, Mercy Me, King’s X, The Rasmus, Lordi and many more.
www.michaelwagener.com

"The Retro Sta-Level was the main compressor I used throughout 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 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 gear that makes a whole lot of things sound better once you put it through its painstakingly meticulous design. The Retro Sta-Level has the warmth, color and control I've always looked for in a tube compressor.Thanks again for another magic box.”

Justin Stanley

Grammy Nominated Producer & Engineer

"If you own a Sta-Level, treasure it, pamper it, give it a special place in the middle of your equipment rack... If you don't own one - buy a Retro Sta-Level and find out what makes them so desirable! This is the real thing!"

Sylvia Massy

Grammy Winning Producer, Engineer & Mixer

“It took me a little while to really get to know the EQ and what it is capable of and the results are beautiful - I am out of my mind in love with my 2A3 on the mix buss.”

Paul Leary

Producer & Musician

"The 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 Sta-Level and the 2A3 on bass is unbeatable. Retro Instruments has created an instant winner."

Ross Hogarth

Grammy Winning Producer

"What I love about the 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, the STA 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 Avila

Latin Grammy Winning Producer

"I was lucky enough to try the new Retro PowerStrip and record some new tracks with it this past week. 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. It 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 studio."

Devin Powers

Grammy Winning Producer & Engineer

Devin Powers is an ASCAP Award-winning producer/composer with film and television credits including The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Sports Crash, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, Bruce Almighty, Paranormal State and many others.

www.devinpowers.com 

"I'm loving my 2A3. I use it across my mix everyday."

Michael Brauer

Grammy Winning Producer & Engineer

Michael Brauer is an established A-list mixing engineer known for his eclectic, highly acclaimed discography. Michael has worked with The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, My Morning Jacket, Ben Folds and John Mayer to name an incredibly select few. 

www.mbrauer.com

"The Retro stuff was brilliant as always on the new Switchfoot record. Sta-Level on vocals, 176 on drums and 2A3 on guitars."

F. Reid Shippen

Grammy Winning Producer & Engineer

F. Reid Shippen has mixed 5 Grammy-winning (and several Grammy-nominated) records, had a Billboard Top 200 #1 record, and many #1's and top 10 mixes on numerous charts. Credits include: India.Arie, Jonny Lang, Death Cab for Cutie, Mat Kearney, Marc Broussard, CeCe Winans, Nick Lachey, Emerson Hart, Clay Aiken, Backstreet Boys, A*Teens, Relient K, Cliff Richard, John Hiatt, Rascal Flatts, Josh Gracin. 

myspace.com/freidshippen

"Phil Moore did a great job! Bill Putnam would smile!!! The Retro 176 has become my first choice for lead vocals It now stands alone at the finish line! "

Chris Lord-Alge

Grammy Winning Producer & Engineer

Chris Lord-Alge is one of the most well known and sought after mixers/engineers working today. To view literally hundreds of titles Chris has worked on, check out his artist page on ArtistDirect.com.

"The 176 sounds as impressive as my old tube giants (Gates, Federal, RCA) but also more modern if needed. I continue to use my three 176's on every project I do. I can't be without them! Please keep making gear like this. "

Greg Wells

Grammy Nominated Producer & Engineer

Greg Wells is a Grammy nominated record producer and songwriter. Greg produced the worldwide #1 hit "Apologize" by OneRepublic. He produced #1 U.S. Top 40 hit single "Waking Up In Vegas" by Katy Perry and co-wrote the hit song "The Reason" by Celine Dion. 
http://www.gregwells.net/
Greg Wells Interview

"The Retro 176 pulls out the breath of vocals with out any need of additional EQ. With all the versatile controls it's very easy to make a vocal sit in a mix with out losing definition or clarity."

Al Sutton

Grammy Nominated Producer & Engineer

Producer/Engineer/Mixer Al Sutton owns and operates Rustbelt Studios in Royal Oak, Michigan. His list of credits include Kid Rock, Hank Williams Jr., Sheryl Crow, Electric Six and many others.
www.rustbeltstudios.com
myspace.com/alsutton

"Just wanted to thank you for the AMAZING Retro 176, the vocals on is wawwwwwwwww! Cheers!"

Jean Marie Riachi

Grammy Nominated Producer & Engineer

Murex D’or and World Music Award winner Jean Marie Riachi is the executive producer for many of the biggest artists in the Middle East including Jose carrears and Youssou N Dour (Duets with Majida el Roumi). 
www.jeanmarieriachi.com