Retro Instruments Powerstrip
Jul 13, 2015 20:53:59 GMT -6
jsteiger, noah shain, and 4 more like this
Post by Johnkenn on Jul 13, 2015 20:53:59 GMT -6
I just bought one of these - actually bought it from Sal...I think he felt like he had it covered...and it's very, very impressive. I'll kind've run through my thoughts. I had never seen anyone compare the Sta-Level and the PS compression - and honestly, I never shelled out the bucks because I thought it might be sacrificing some things to fit everything in one box...but hell no.
The comps are absolutely in the same family. The Sta may be a little more colored with the sonic footprint and imparts both a girth and sheen, but the PS comp still has that pillowy, luscious, creamy tone that the Sta has...Tone-wise the PS adds weight, but seems to be really clean on top...doesn't seem to add sheen - which honestly, I like. The PS is a little less versatile being that it only has programmed attack and release settings (5 or them? I'm not in front of it) so in that way, it's more like a Fairchild. But I haven't had any problem dialing in something that I loved. If there is one negative, it's that it doesn't have a separate input stage/knob for the pre and the compressor, so it's somewhat of a learning curve and not quite as idiot proof as the Sta...but then again, if you were using just the comp line-in on the PS, that issue is moot. It has tons of output gain just like the Sta. All in all, if I made my living mixing, I would want both...The Sta is fantastic and nothing really replaces it - but this comes close. I think Phil could package this comp up in a 2RU and sell them like hotcakes.
The EQ is fantastic. I haven't been all the way around the world with it yet, but just with vocals and bass, it's a monster. Can't wait to dive in more. And there's a reason I haven't really used it much...I haven't needed to - because of the pre.
Wow. I got to borrow Jeff's V76 for about a month...and this thing is very similar. I'm really not being hyperbolic. This is from memory, so...maybe I'm being hyperbolic...lol...anyway, it has a suuuuper smooth top end and mids. The V76 seemed to have a brighter top - a great one at that - but this thing is extremely natural. Maybe the word "soft" could be used...so, not the best pre for your hair band project...You guys know how I'm always complaining about 1-2khz in vocals...well...no more. much rounder in that area than other pres. I found myself adding a tiny bit of boost at 100Hz, tiny bit of boost at 10khz and some attenuation at 20khz...damn. Awesome.
The comps are absolutely in the same family. The Sta may be a little more colored with the sonic footprint and imparts both a girth and sheen, but the PS comp still has that pillowy, luscious, creamy tone that the Sta has...Tone-wise the PS adds weight, but seems to be really clean on top...doesn't seem to add sheen - which honestly, I like. The PS is a little less versatile being that it only has programmed attack and release settings (5 or them? I'm not in front of it) so in that way, it's more like a Fairchild. But I haven't had any problem dialing in something that I loved. If there is one negative, it's that it doesn't have a separate input stage/knob for the pre and the compressor, so it's somewhat of a learning curve and not quite as idiot proof as the Sta...but then again, if you were using just the comp line-in on the PS, that issue is moot. It has tons of output gain just like the Sta. All in all, if I made my living mixing, I would want both...The Sta is fantastic and nothing really replaces it - but this comes close. I think Phil could package this comp up in a 2RU and sell them like hotcakes.
The EQ is fantastic. I haven't been all the way around the world with it yet, but just with vocals and bass, it's a monster. Can't wait to dive in more. And there's a reason I haven't really used it much...I haven't needed to - because of the pre.
Wow. I got to borrow Jeff's V76 for about a month...and this thing is very similar. I'm really not being hyperbolic. This is from memory, so...maybe I'm being hyperbolic...lol...anyway, it has a suuuuper smooth top end and mids. The V76 seemed to have a brighter top - a great one at that - but this thing is extremely natural. Maybe the word "soft" could be used...so, not the best pre for your hair band project...You guys know how I'm always complaining about 1-2khz in vocals...well...no more. much rounder in that area than other pres. I found myself adding a tiny bit of boost at 100Hz, tiny bit of boost at 10khz and some attenuation at 20khz...damn. Awesome.
