Retro Instruments Doublewide – All-Tube 500 Series Compressor
The Retro Instruments Doublewide is a premium all-tube compressor designed specifically for the 500 Series format.
Taking its inspiration from the sonic character of classic Retro Instruments designs like the Sta-Level, the Doublewide brings warm, smooth, and musical tube compression to your 500 rack.
With its rich harmonic saturation, wide frequency response, and refined dynamic control, it’s the perfect tool for adding analog tone and vintage glue to vocals, instruments, and mixes.
Key Features
- All-tube design featuring a high-voltage internal power supply for full dynamic headroom.
- Dual-slot 500 Series format – delivers full Retro tube circuitry within a compact module.
- Classic variable-mu compression for smooth, musical dynamic control.
- Continuously variable Attack and Release controls for fine-tuned performance on any source.
- Threshold and Output controls for precise gain staging and drive shaping.
- True bypass and stereo link capabilities for flexible use in tracking or mix bus applications.
- High headroom and low noise floor thanks to Retro’s custom tube and transformer design.
- Perfect for vocals, bass, acoustic instruments, and drums — adding warmth and natural glue.
- Hand-built in the USA using premium components and tested to audiophile standards.
Applications
- Vocals: Achieve smooth, natural compression with tube warmth and presence.
- Bass & Instruments: Add harmonic depth and analog weight to your tone.
- Drums: Enhance punch and control with organic compression behavior.
- Mix Bus: Glue and cohesion with the classic Retro Instruments tube character.
Technical Specifications
| Unit Type | All-Tube 500 Series Compressor (Dual Slot) |
|---|---|
| Circuit Type | Class A tube gain stage with variable-mu compression |
| Tubes | 4 × miniature high-voltage dual-triode tubes |
| Controls | Threshold, Attack, Release, Output Gain, Stereo Link, Bypass |
| Compression Type | Program-dependent tube / variable-mu |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.5 dB |
| Noise Floor | -85 dBu typical |
| Max Gain Reduction | Up to 20 dB |
| Input/Output Impedance | 10 kΩ balanced / 600 Ω output |
| Power Requirement | Standard 500 Series ±16V & +48V rails (internal tube power conversion) |
| Format | Dual 500 Series slot |
| Origin | Hand-built in the USA |
Why Choose the Retro Instruments Doublewide?
The Retro Instruments Doublewide brings the unmistakable sound of vintage tube compression to the 500 Series world.
Offering smooth, musical, and harmonically rich compression, it’s ideal for vocals, bass, acoustic sources, or mix bus glue.
With its high-voltage operation and world-class build quality, the Doublewide delivers the warmth, clarity, and sonic elegance that have made Retro Instruments a studio essential.