The Retro Instruments family of products
All Retro products are designed and manufactured in the United States, with unparalleled quality, service, and personal attention.
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500PRE
We took the circuit topology of the Sta-Level and packed it into a single width 500 module. The 500PRE three tube gain stage exhibits the same detail and depth. As with all Retro products, the feeling of the musical performance is delivered with the Retro Instruments 500PRE.
- Features
- No frills layout and simple controls make it easy to set and start recording. You can dial in up to 75 dB of amplification. The GAIN switch in the LOW setting converts the 500PRE to a classic two-stage amplifier and can sustain +10 dBu input levels without overload. An adjustable output attenuator provides the optimum level to all of your gear. It also allows you to overdrive without clipping downstream gear. The 500PRE is fully transformer balanced with high-quality Cinemag transformers for low noise, high headroom and superior audio performance.
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DOUBLEWIDE II Tube Compressor
The DOUBLEWIDE II is a single-channel compressor that installs into two slots of a standard 500 series rack yet it requires only 130-milliamps of current—just like the original Retro DOUBLEWIDE compressor.
- Features
- Front panel meter zero control
- Stereo link switch and indicator
- Wider range of Attack and Release Times
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REVOLVER Dual-Channel Tube Compressor
2-Channel Compressor based on the sound of the British Invasion
- Features
- A most desired compression signature.
- Ideal for the stereo bus and excels at tracking, mixing and mastering.
- Independent controls with stereo linking.
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DOUBLEWIDE l Tube Compressor
The Retro instruments DOUBLEWIDE is a mono tube compressor unit designed from the ground up for the 500 series format. It’s authentic tube compression in a go-anywhere package! So now, whether you’re in the studio, on location, or on the road, you can enjoy classic Retro compression without compromise.
- Features
- Single channel Tube Compression in a two-slot 500 series module
- Continuously variable input and output levels with fixed threshold
- Continuously variable attack and recovery time
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OP-6 Portable Amplifier (DISCONTINUED )
The Retro OP-6, setting yet another standard to compare your BEST vintage pieces! Retro Instruments has taken what has been learned from the PAST, and created a unit to be used NOW!
- Features
- Stepped gain control
- Switchable Mic Impedance - /37/150/600
- Over 80db of gain
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Powerstrip Recording Channel
The Retro Powerstrip recording channel is a high powered “channel strip” or “vintage studio in a box”, capturing the tone of a tube mixing desk, Pultec-style tube EQ and British tube compressor all in one compact 2u rack unit.
- Features
- Transformer coupled Class-A tube microphone preamplifier with phantom power
- Industry-standard Passive EQ with authentic feel, controls and equalization curves
- Classic British tube compressor
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Sta-Level Tube Compressor
The Retro Sta-Level is a recreation of the legendary 1956 Gates Sta-Level. The Sta-Level dominated the sound of hit radio in the 1960’s. Now these super musical sounding compressors have found their way into today’s hits. The Retro Gold Edition celebrates fifty years of the products existence. The Sta-Level uses the coveted 6386 tube in a classic G.E. circuit design.
- Features
- Gain Reduction Threshold: Continuously adjustable from +24dBm to -20dBm
- Available Gain Reduction: 40dB
- Total System Gain: 35dB (with standard input and output pads)
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176 Limiting Amplifier
The Retro Instruments 176 is based on a Bill Putnam classic, the UA 176. The Retro 176 faithfully reproduces the sound of the 1960s original with new features for the modern recording studio. The Retro 176 provides one of the most desirable compression signatures in recording history.
- Features
- Precision Knob scales for easy recallability
- Continuously variable attack and release time
- Four settings of compression ratio from soft compression to limiting (2:1, 4:1, 8:1, 12:1)
- Wide-Range Sidechain Highpass Filter
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2A3 Dual Program EQ
Vintage Tube Amplifiers and Custom-Designed Transformers set the soundstage. True Passive Equalization creates Bountiful and Musical Equalization curves. The new RETRO 2A3 is designed as an ultra High-Fidelity Program Equalizer whose sonic benefits go beyond the equalization process. Accurate to the industry-standard Pultec EQ performance, the RETRO 2A3 adds HF boost frequencies in several new sweet spots.
- Features
- Industry-standard Passive EQ with authentic feel, controls and equalization curves
- Additional HF Boost Frequencies for more precise control
- Easily recallable 100-position knob scales on boost and cut controls
