Tracking Vocals: Compression in the Chain?

100% agreed. Waiting for "something better" likely means "something better" will never come.

And to those that lament the "sound" of older records, I'd argue that one of the biggest differences between those older records and a lot of modern records is the delay of decisions. Have some balls and stop with the option paralysis.

I don't think the STA is a passing fad - MU comps have been in use since the late 50's, the Beatles, Sinatra etc all used MU comp's.

I feel more like Sinatra tracking through the STA than Bon Jovi :-)

I remember the Aphex well (opps showing my age again) and the STA is nothing like it, the GR is definitely not for "free" like an Aphex, it reminds me more 
of a vintage LA2A where you have to be careful not to hit it too hard otherwise is can get a bit too fluffy.

I'm way preferring it when I'm doing 5-7dB GR and more later in the mix.

The point to me about a STA (or to a lesser degree Vintage LA2A) is the way it enhances a vocal performance, it seems to adapt to the style in an organic way, 
it brings up the detail on a softer slower track and let's you lean against it making you phrase better, or if I'm doing a upper register "Shadows in the rain" type of tune 
it can take the red hot tip of the flame that style of singing produces and turn it into something less strident but still really emotional before it hits your A/D.

I think it's the effect of having no semi conductors in the path just a heap of tubes and Xformers .... it completely lies through it's teeth of course .... that's the fun bit :-)

90% of the hype around the Sta Level is due to John Kennedy buying and selling and buying it again over and over. :-D
(And 95% of statistics on the internet are completely fictitious...)

I would of thought the fact he keeps selling it would kill the hype :-)

Retro is coming out with a new Sta-JKlevel, Boomerang edition, nuff said 8)

You would think i would get a fvcking free one, wouldn't you? They won't even bother advertising here. And btw - that has nothing to do with me not having one anymore...in fact, this thread is giving me major gas to get another one.

Buy some cheap GE Unilevels, add attenuators and meter, you're there....

I can't afford it but I'd love to add a Chandler RS124.

Plus a CL1A, original 1176 and a Teletronix LA2A.

Don't start me on pre's :-)

I must keep working on writing that hit song .... does that still pay the bills?

Shhhh shhh!

The funny thing is I saw the infamous eBay flowerpot guy was starting to buy Aphex stuff so we will see the price rise! Even the Exciters and one knob comps!