{"id":28292,"date":"2011-09-27T23:04:43","date_gmt":"2011-09-27T21:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cyberfarm-wp.flywheelsites.com\/?product=retro-instruments-sta-level"},"modified":"2026-02-13T12:47:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:47:45","slug":"retro-instruments-sta-level","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/cyberfarm.dk\/en\/retro-instruments-sta-level\/","title":{"rendered":"Retro Instruments Sta-Level"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Retro Instruments Sta-Level - All-Tube Vari-Mu Compressor<\/h2>\n

The Retro Instruments Sta-Level<\/strong> is a faithful recreation of the legendary Gates Sta-Level tube compressor<\/strong> - a studio classic first introduced in the 1950s and loved for its smooth, warm, and musical compression<\/strong>.
\nRetro Instruments has meticulously re-engineered the original design with modern reliability, matched tubes, and custom transformers<\/strong> while retaining the distinctive vintage tone that made the Sta-Level a favourite for vocals, bass, and full mixes.
\nThis all-tube, programme-dependent compressor delivers the creamy, cohesive sound<\/strong> that defined countless hit records, now ready for today's hybrid studios.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Key Features<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Authentic all-tube vari-mu design<\/strong> based on the original Gates Sta-Level circuit.<\/li>\n
  • High-voltage Class A operation<\/strong> for rich harmonic saturation and low distortion.<\/li>\n
  • Programme-dependent attack and release<\/strong> with three selectable recovery modes (Single, Double, Triple).<\/li>\n
  • Custom-wound transformers<\/strong> deliver smooth frequency response and balanced tone.<\/li>\n
  • Continuously variable Input and Output controls<\/strong> for fine gain staging and compression depth.<\/li>\n
  • Link function<\/strong> allows stereo operation using two Sta-Level units.<\/li>\n
  • True vintage sound<\/strong> ideal for vocals, bass, drums, and mix bus applications.<\/li>\n
  • Hand-built in the USA<\/strong> with premium components and matched NOS tubes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Applications<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Vocals:<\/strong> Delivers silky, consistent level control with vintage tube smoothness.<\/li>\n
    • Bass:<\/strong> Adds depth, warmth, and sustain without flattening dynamics.<\/li>\n
    • Drums:<\/strong> Brings punch and glue with musical, programme-dependent response.<\/li>\n
    • Mix Bus:<\/strong> Creates natural analogue cohesion and weight to the entire mix.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Technical Specifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Unit Type<\/th>\nAll-Tube Vari-Mu Compressor \/ Limiter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Circuit Type<\/th>\nClass A, variable-mu tube design based on Gates Sta-Level<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Compression Type<\/th>\nProgramme-dependent vari-mu (Single, Double, Triple timing)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Controls<\/th>\nInput Gain, Output Gain, Mode Selector, Bypass, Stereo Link<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Attack Time<\/th>\nProgramme-dependent (approx. 1-10 ms)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Release Time<\/th>\nProgramme-dependent (approx. 0.3-5 s)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Frequency Response<\/th>\n20 Hz - 20 kHz \u00b10.5 dB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      THD + N<\/th>\n0.05% typical (1 kHz @ +4 dBu)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Max Gain Reduction<\/th>\nUp to 20 dB<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Input\/Output Impedance<\/th>\n600 \u03a9 balanced<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Transformers<\/th>\nCustom Retro Instruments input and output transformers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Tubes<\/th>\nMatched NOS 6386 dual-triode tubes or Retro's equivalent tube set<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Power Supply<\/th>\nInternal universal power supply (100-240V AC)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Form Factor<\/th>\n2U rackmount chassis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Weight<\/th>\nApprox. 7.8 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      Origin<\/th>\nHand-built in the USA by Retro Instruments<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Why Choose the Retro Instruments Sta-Level?<\/h3>\n

      The Retro Instruments Sta-Level<\/strong> is the definitive version of one of the most beloved compressors ever made.
      \nIt combines the unmistakable warmth, thickness, and musicality<\/strong> of vintage tube compression with the consistency and reliability modern engineers demand.
      \nPerfect for vocals, bass, or mix bus duties, the Sta-Level remains a benchmark for organic analogue compression<\/strong> - smooth, musical, and deeply inspiring.<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Retro Instruments Sta-Level \u2013 All-Tube Vari-Mu Compressor The Retro Instruments Sta-Level is a faithful recreation of the legendary Gates Sta-Level tube compressor \u2014 a studio classic first introduced in the 1950s and loved for its smooth, warm, and musical compression. Retro Instruments has meticulously re-engineered the original design with modern reliability, matched tubes, and custom […]\n","protected":false},"featured_media":70213,"template":"","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"%%post_title%%","_seopress_titles_desc":"%%post_excerpt%%","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"both","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":301,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"Retro Instruments Sta-Level,Retro Sta-Level compressor,Gates Sta-Level reissue,Retro tube compressor,vari-mu limiter,Retro Instruments outboard gear,tube compression,analog mastering compressor,Retro Instruments USA,handmade tube gear","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[]},"product_brand":[4185],"product_cat":[1831],"product_tag":[],"class_list":["post-28292","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_brand-retro-instruments","product_cat-kompressorer","first","onbackorder","taxable","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-11 11:12:25","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"product_tag","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cyberfarm.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/28292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cyberfarm.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cyberfarm.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cyberfarm.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cyberfarm.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cyberfarm.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=28292"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cyberfarm.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=28292"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cyberfarm.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=28292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}