Retro Instruments STA-LEVEL instead of an LA-2A?

[dubrichie]

alrighty,

i was about to buy an LA-2A, primarily for tracking vox and bass in series with an MC-77.

but then the Retro Instruments STA-LEVEL was suggested as an alternative and i am now strongly considering it instead. it is also about 500 bucks cheaper.

so, to those who have used BOTH, do you think that they can be used for many of the same purposes, in many of the same situations?

is one or the other more flexible in various applications?

is one or the other more likely to sound great on more sources, more often?

is this thread retarded?!

throw a slut a bone!

thanks,

regards,

richie.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by dubrichie

alrighty,

i was about to buy an LA-2A, primarily for tracking vox and bass in series with an MC-77..

Ok.

This seems to be this years "gear slut fancy".


By the way for what its worth it doesn't always work.

Originally Posted by dubrichie

but then the Retro Instruments STA-LEVEL was suggested as an alternative and i am now strongly considering it instead. it is also about 500 bucks cheaper...

Ok again.

The Retro Sta-Level is this years "Germanium whatever".

Originally Posted by dubrichie

so, to those who have used BOTH, do you think that they can be used for many of the same purposes, in many of the same situations?...

I would say no and maybe.

Originally Posted by dubrichie

is one or the other more flexible in various applications?

Yes the La2a.

Originally Posted by dubrichie

is one or the other more likely to sound great on more sources, more often?

It depends on the instrument,track, etc. Again the La2a is much more flexible so you will use it on more sources. The Sta-Level either works or it doesn't so its more in the one trick pony category, but the one-two tricks it does the La2a can't touch.

Originally Posted by dubrichie

is this thread retarded?

No...but i would say in the future go on your first gut instinct. Its usually right.

Originally Posted by dubrichie

throw a slut a bone!

Originally Posted by dubrichie

thanks,

regards,

richie.

[Gravity8058]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Ok.

This seems to be this years "gear slut fancy".


By the way for what its worth it doesn't always work.




Ok again.

The Retro Sta-Level is this years "Germanium whatever".



I would say no and maybe.




Yes the La2a.




It depends on the instrument,track, etc. Again the La2a is much more flexible so you will use it on more sources. The Sta-Level either works or it doesn't so its more in the one trick pony category, but the one-two tricks it does the La2a can't touch.




No...but i would say in the future go on your first gut instinct. Its usually right.

Hmmm, I gotta disagree. I've seen Thrill attempt to squash enthusiasm about the Sta Lvl before -- dont understand it. I've found the Sta Level to be quite versatile -- ok, perhaps not quite as versatile as the LA2A, but for vocals, guitars, bass, etc.... the Sta level is more euphoric than the La2a. The Sta Lvl also (in general) sounds bigger and wider than the La2a.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Gravity8058

Hmmm, I gotta disagree. I've seen Thrill attempt to squash enthusiasm about the Sta Lvl before -- dont understand it. I've found the Sta Level to be quite versatile -- ok, perhaps not quite as versatile as the LA2A, but for vocals, guitars, bass, etc.... the Sta level is more euphoric than the La2a. The Sta Lvl also (in general) sounds bigger and wider than the La2a.

Hey i hope that's not the way it comes across. It just sounds sometimes that people are looking for a "panacea gear" or a new toy too gloss over some particular sins. Look at last year must have GS lists. It reads like a Pro Audio Review "hits of the show. And so many of these must have pieces you see selling on the GS classifieds as well as Ebay(can anyone say Germanium mic pre).

Yeah i agree in some ways the Sta-Level can be more euphonic but for all of its "bigness" it can dominate and over power a track real quick to the point where it will stick out like a soar thumb. The La2a still is to me an indispensible tool like an 1176 something that every studio should have. There are so many uses where it excels besides the given vocal and bass. And if someone is putting together a compressor rack from scratch, he would get more uses out of the La2a/1176 combo than a Sta-Level/1176 combination IMO.

[vin-gear]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

...The La2a still is to me an indispensible tool like an 1176 something that every studio should have...

Hey Thrill,

It almost sounds like your quote could be rewrittten to read:

"...The La2a still is to me an indispensible tool like an 1176 something that every desert island should have..."

LOL and I agree BTW!!!

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

And if someone is putting together a compressor rack from scratch, he would get more uses out of the La2a/1176 combo than a Sta-Level/1176 combination IMO.

I'd also add the Tubetech CL1B/1176 combo.

[Gravity8058]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Hey i hope that's not the way it comes across. It just sounds sometimes that people are looking for a "panacea gear" or a new toy too gloss over some particular sins. Look at last year must have GS lists. It reads like a Pro Audio Review "hits of the show. And so many of these must have pieces you see selling on the GS classifieds as well as Ebay(can anyone say Germanium mic pre).

Yeah i agree in some ways the Sta-Level can be more euphonic but for all of its "bigness" it can dominate and over power a track real quick to the point where it will stick out like a soar thumb. The La2a still is to me an indispensible tool like an 1176 something that every studio should have. There are so many uses where it excels besides the given vocal and bass. And if someone is putting together a compressor rack from scratch, he would get more uses out of the La2a/1176 combo than a Sta-Level/1176 combination IMO.

You cant go wrong with a La2a, it's a apple oranges thang. I guess my feeling is that an La2a probably does a good job with a larger number of tasks while the Sta Level does a magical job with fewer tasks ...............

Yeah, I tire of hyped gear, but I've been amazed that it's taken the Slutz so long to catch on to the Sta Lvl, so I'm thinking whatever hype it's recently received is long overdue.

[delcosmos]

If you are talking about LA2A reisue, I can tell you this:

The Retro STA adds more colour than LA2a, also, with fast release mod, the compression is more agressive.

But, as Thrill said, on some vocals and some songs, it's the best compressor, some times not, I like agressive compression on vocals, I like to combine LA2A-1176 on vocals, but some times just one STA can do the trick.

On bass STA is a winner, as I said, it have tons of color.

Thrill and I started this STA "fancy" thing about 6 or 8 months ago, and I have to say that STA it's another color on my palette, also, tech support on Retro instruments is TOP of the line, Phil Moore is one of the nicest guys in pro audio, he gave me a premium service, highly recomended.

C'mon Thrill, let other people try your beloved STA too!!

Best regards.

Armando Avila.

[rainsinvelvet]

while I recently could of bought an La2a I went for the STA-Level BECAUSE of it's extra color. I know it might not work as well on everything, but call me wierd.. I like the idea of one or two trick pony units. Yes, I have found things that it doesn't work on ,BUT the things it does work on just floored me..

ERic

[dubrichie]

thanks so much for all of your experienced opinions (and i'm most chuffed to have gotten them from several sluts whose opinions i really hold in high regard).

i understand the differences you have been getting at, the ponies and their tricks, the colours and the canvases.

hmmm. they're both so sexy. so, so sexy.

really, it's so hard to make this kinda decision when i can't get to try them both out.

i might just say feck it and flip a yoyo (euro)!

best regards,

richie.

[Tamra]

I love my RI Sta-Level. I also love my Urei LA4s modded by Bob Alach.

[StuartMac]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

I'd also add the Tubetech CL1B/1176 combo.

Yep, or in my case the CL1-A / MC77 combo.

[dubrichie]

well the hell with thinkin about it im goin for the STA-LEVEL.

i know im gonna dig it.

can you dig it?

yes, yes i can.

thanks again everyone,

gimme a shout if your in dublin,

best regards,

richie.

ps i also dig mike at vintage king. biggus uppus.

[rainsinvelvet]

Originally Posted by dubrichie

best regards,

richie.

ps i also dig mike at vintage king. biggus uppus.

YeS! Mike was way awsome about responding to emails, ect. Seemed like a nice guy to boot.

ERic

[metronome]

We have a Sta-Level and LA2a (both original versions). Other than that they can both do a pretty good job of squashing things, they really aren’t that comparable. You’ll never get a bass sound from an LA-2a like you can from the Sta-Level. Big fat, aggressive, dripping with character that sits wonderfully in the mix. And you’ll never get the smooth gooey kind of vocals you can out of the Sta-Level, like you can the LA-2a. However, as many have correctly pointed out, the LA-2a is the more versatile of the two. Nevertheless, both are great boxes. I recommend one of each. More if Mom will let you…

[jumpnyc]

I'd get a CL1B before the new LA2A re-issues. Also - I would toss an Atomic Squeezebox into your thinking ;-) DYNO-MITE for transparent hi-end squashing.

[vin-gear]

I'm wasn't really in the market for another compressor but after following this thread all day I'm starting to "jones" for a Sta-Level. As far as the La2a goes, I've got the Manley Elop and a pair of La3a's already. I know they're not quite the same but it sounds like the Sta-Level would fit nicely in my stable. Bring an entire different color to the party.

Great thread dubrichie!

BTW, I don't think this thread is retarded.

[superburtm]

[quote=thethrillfactor;1116723](can anyone say Germanium mic pre).

QUOTE]

Hey I love my Germ

[Dr Benway]

Never used the Sta-Level but I will say this about my (old) LA 2A.. If my wife would let me.. It'd be sleeping right between us every night.. EVERY night I tell you!!!