Retro Instruments Sta-Level

Few pieces of gear are this universally useful and this universally liked. It just doesn't seem to matter what you send through it, the Sta-Level makes everything sound great. What does it do? We've heard engineers refer to the Sta-Level's brand of vintage tube compression as being like a big, warm hug. It's gives that extra something that somehow sits a track right where you want it in the mix. A natural on vocals, amazing on bass, the Sta-Level has outpaced its vintage inspiration (the Gates Sta-Level) as an industry standard. Try it on your tracks and you'll hear why.

• Great for anything but a standard on bass and vocals
• Inspired by the Gates Sta-Level, updated for today

Great for anything but a standard on bass and vocals

Whether it's a thick rock bass sound or old-school type of R&B bass sound, or anywhere in between, the Sta-Level gives a nice bloom to it – really fat and full. Whatever you send its way, the Sta-Level is extraordinarily musical, giving you a natural, warm tone and the right amount of color and control no matter what source you're working with. From hi-hats to horns, acoustic guitars to drums, if you're after a versatile compressor with stacks of vintage warmth, this might be the best sonic investment you make.

Inspired by the Gates Sta-Level, updated for today

The legendary 1956 Gates Sta-Level dominated hit radio in the 1960s and now its magic sound is working its way back to the radio, through Retro's spot-on rendition. The Sta-Level was the first product Retro ever made and it perfectly captures the "Retro philosophy": take a classic, timeless design and seamlessly bring it into the modern world. To update the classic, Retro transformer-balanced the XLR I/O and uses hand-matched audiophile-grade coupling capacitors and high-quality custom-wound transformers throughout. Retro also uses 6BJ6 tubes, more reliable than the original 6386 tubes (though 6386 is a customer's option). All in all, the Retro Sta-Level brings a timeless classic to a new generation of engineers, with a build quality that readies it for generations to come.