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STA-LEVEL Operation and User Area
Submit your Tips, Stories, Links
This is a place to share information on the STA-LEVEL. All submissions
are welcome. Tell us about your STA-LEVEL. Send us a picture for the
gallery.
Click here to Email Us regarding anything STA-LEVEL. Check back. We will continuously update this area!
"The
Sta-Level defines creamy smoothness when it comes to tube compression.
I've used it on a number of sources, from a lowly hi-hat to a lead
vocal, and each time its personality makes you want more. I can't say
enough about using the three-position switch with the Recovery knob. It
makes this compressor eminently usable on almost anything you throw at
it."
Kevin Becka puts the Retro Sta-Level to the test. Read his product review in Mix. CLICK HERE
"MS:
I always go for the Sta-Level; I love what it does for the bass, it’s a
magic box — it keeps the track beautifully solid with a tight bottom
end."
Read the Mike Shipley article in EQ Magazine. CLICK HERE
"The
whole reason to have vintage compression is for the sound it adds, and
the STA-LEVEL adds classic tone immediately. On acoustic guitar, you
can hit it very hard, and the guitar still sounds
like an acoustic and not a thwacking, pumping, midrange assault that
can result from too much reduction with a lot of compressors I’ve used
in the past."
Click Here to read the Retro STA-LEVEL review by Craig Schumacher in Tape Op Magazine.
"Retro adds modern features and new adjustability for more recording studio applications possible than the original units."
Barry Rudolph New Toys Article in Music Connection Magazine.
The Gallery
Joe Henry writes:
"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 my rack for a few more of these."
Joe Henry - singer, songwriter and Grammy-winning producer joehenrylovesyoumadly.com
 
Sylvia Massy Shivy writes:
The top Sta-Level in this photo was the one used on the Johnny Cash sessions
I did with Tom Petty, Lindsey Buckingham, Marty Stuart, Carl Perkins, Flea
and Rick Rubin...
The Sta-Level was used as the main compressor for all lead vocals, and gave
Johnny's voice that full, round, comfortably worn sound... the signature
sound of the whole record really, called "Unchained". It won the "Best
Country Album" Grammy award for 1997. The big song on the album has been
"I've Been Everywhere", often heard on television commercials.
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 Shivy - producer/engineer, RadioStar Studios, Weed, CA
Radio Star Studios Website
F.Reid Shippen writes:
"So, I came back and tried a few different things with the Sta-Level
and found the grail...it's magic on bass. You will have to pry this
from my cold dead hands........... ;-) "
F. Reid Shippen
Mixing Engineer
freidshippen@myspace
Nashville, TN.
Tom Gioia & Andy Snitzer write:
"I would highly recommend the Retro Instruments Sta-Level compressor to
anyone interested achieving that elusive "record quality" sound. It works
wonders on any bass, holding it in the track, never losing any bottom. I am
amazed how the Sta-Level brings a lead vocal to the front of a dense mix. I
barely ride the fader! We use it on all our vocals. Great job Phil, I need
a second one!
Tom Gioia
Visionary Music Group
www.visionarymusicgroup.com
River Edge, NJ
Bryan Cook writes:
"I love my Retro Sta-Level! I make my living recording and
mixing music in Los Angeles (engineering for Michael Andrews, Gary
Jules, Inara George) and have used a vintage Sta-Level for years and
your product does not disappoint!
Having the Retro Sta-Level in my racks helps me mix at home
and not feel like I'm compromising, missing some sort of texture that I
love about working in big expensive studios.
I use it everyday on bass and vocals! The Retro Sta-Level is a
significant part of helping me make things sound in reality the way I
hear them sounding in my head, so thank you for that...and the
multi-position recovery time knob - a significant usability improvement
over the original. I never thought you could improve upon the original!
"
Bryan Cook
Mixing Engineer
Bryan Cook Homepage
Los Angeles, CA
Michael Brauer writes:
I recently used the Retro on a mixing session I did for Ben
Folds at his studio in Nashville. I had his vocal multed on two
channels, one had the Retro and the other was the E.A.R. going into a
Pultec. 90% of the time I ended up choosing the Retro. The other 10% I
chose the EAR for changing to a lighter sound for some choruses. The
Retro was impressive. I already own a Gates but this unit had more
punch and choices in release times.
Six months later..."I've really gotten to know the sound of
your Retro. I can now turn to it when I'm looking for a vocal sound
that is honest, warm and in your face."
Michael H. Brauer
MHB Productions
New York, NY
Devin Powers writes:
"I did an a/b session on a vocal about a year ago (with my
producer/engineer buddies) and the Sta-Level won over of all the boxes
(and I have most of em). It had a quality and a feel that far
outmatched the other pieces on a very visceral level. It added
excitement within its smoothing, and to my ears had a very distinctive
midrange edge that really brought the vocal to its rightful place in
the mix, it had a sexiness that the other boxes lacked, creamy but not
muddy, tight but it did not clamp down the dynamics in an unnatural
way, and although it was compressing very hard it still has a nice
openness and air. The concensis was, "It just sounded more like a
record vocal with the Sta-Level and isn't that what we all want!"
I
most recently used my Sta-Levels on the Deanna Johnston (Rockstar INXS)
"Shine" track, one on vocals and one on the front drum mic and the
bass, you can really hear them, they brought out the husky warm sound
of Deanna's voice and the thick punch of the drums!
"If you can't find an original Sta-Level, or the the ones you
do find look like they have been gone thru by Doctor Frankenstein's
Assistant, find a Retro as fast as you can. The Retro sounds Identical
to my original Sta-Levels for mixing (the Retro is actually quieter)
and for tracking I prefer the New Retro over my original Sta-Levels,
because it is more stable from take to take and has less low level
noise, I suppose due to the brand spankin new identical parts.
Devin Powers - 2006 Ascap Award Recipient
Powers Music Company
Thousand Oaks, California
Armando Avila writes:
"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.
Best regards.
Armando Avila.
Armando Avila - Latin Grammy nominated producer
Cosmos Producciones
Mexico City, Mexico
(note from Phil...you Must see the pictures at the Cosmos
website!!! This place is a gearheads dream come true and pumps out
Platinum hits all day :)
The Retro Sta-Level in the Potluck Studio at TapeOpCon2006! TapeOp Website
A
recent article in the Tuscon Weekly Magazine featured Larry Crane,
Craig Schumacher and this picture with the Retro Sta-Level at Wavelab
Studio in Tucson. Click here to read the article about TapeOp Magazine
and TapeOpCon 2006 in Tucson.
Shay Scott writes:
My
friend Tom Robinson used to run monitor mixes for touring punk rock
bands in the Portland, Oregon area the 1970s. A few years ago, Tom
loaned me a couple of six foot racks of vintage tube limiters, the same
racks he leases to Capital Records for The Dandy Warhols recordings.
The limiters he loaned me included the original Meisner used to record
Louie Louie, an Altec used by Nirvana, and limiters by Presto, RCA,
CBS, and Gates - all vintage tube big boys between three and six rack
spaces. I was instantly hooked with the tone of the Gates Sta-Level. I
own 3 vintage Sta-Levels, used mainly for lead vocals and guitars.
Shay Scott
Klickitat Band Camp
www.KBCrecords.com
Portland, Oregon
Here is a picture of Mike Shipley's studio with Sta-Level close at hand.
Thanks you RSPE for the pic!
RSPE.com
Eric Peters writes:
I just wanted to let you know that I'm loving my new Sta Level! I
purchased it through Mike at Vintage King and received excellent
service and speedy delivery. I can't stop using this thing on
everything! My 6 month old son even likes the unit. Anyhow, just wanted
to let you know that you have another happy customer..
Damn you, now I want another (because a pair is always better)!
Thanks,
Eric Peters
The Sleepover Disaster
www.thesleepoverdisaster.com/
Fresno, California
Sta-Level Technical Page
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