Gates Sta Level compressor Question

[Gravity8058]

I've had this pair of Sta Levels for 7 years and LOVED them. They were moded by Mike Clute's tech in Nashville years ago (that's what he told me when I bought them from him years ago) and have multiple ratios and release times. They sound smoother at the onset of compression than unmodded models.

My problem is that they've become noisey. I located two sets of replacement tubes and caps (at considerable expense) and after retubbing and recapping we have a new problem that involves the meter oscillating back and forth -- I dont understand the details myself -----

------ My hope? That there's a slut out there that knows a tech with considerable experience working with these. My tech is the best in Chicago and has LOADS of experience, just not with this unit.

Thanks in advance

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Gravity8058

I've had this pair of Sta Levels for 7 years and LOVED them. They were moded by Mike Clute's tech in Nashville years ago (that's what he told me when I bought them from him years ago) and have multiple ratios and release times. They sound smoother at the onset of compression than unmodded models.

My problem is that they've become noisey. I located two sets of replacement tubes and caps (at considerable expense) and after retubbing and recapping we have a new problem that involves the meter oscillating back and forth -- I dont understand the details myself -----

------ My hope? That there's a slut out there that knows a tech with considerable experience working with these. My tech is the best in Chicago and has LOADS of experience, just not with this unit.

Thanks in advance

What i've noticed is that they tend to oscillate after recapping with higher gain.

Don't quote me on it but i think it has to do with the pad before and after.

Check to see that the pads are ok.

Just a suggestion.

[bpatural]

Talk to Mark Demartini (818-419-3819) the tech @ Larrabee...he's a genius with all things electronic and Larrabee probably owned a dozen of the sta-levels at one point so he's had some experience dealing with them and would be able to fix them.
-brian

[Fletcher]

If you're talking about the guy in Chicago that I'm thinking of as the best tech in Chicago [initials B.B.] then he should be able to cure that in a heartbeat.

[Matt Syson]

Hi there
it was mentioned above that it has been retubed and recapped but did not mention recalibrated. Proper balancing of the tubes is essential. If you did not buy correctly matched tubes specifically for this unit then that may be another reason. I fix other similar units and you can't just buy a tube and plug it in, you have to buy 20 and find one or two that are good enough, then you find that it is microphonic so you may need some more!
To get a pair of units to track properly in stereo adds more excitement.
Happy times
Matt S

[Gravity8058]

Thanks slutz, I'm on the trail with renewed focus! (Yep Fletcher, BB is stumped)