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Comp TUBE-STA
FAT BROADCAST SOUND
The Arturia TUBE-STA gives you a stunning recreation of the stalwart, valve-driven compressor that was the all-American workhorse of early broadcast and recording studios. With simple controls, dynamic performance, and gorgeous vintage tone, you can now own a piece of history as a software effect in your DAW.
Entering production in the ‘50s, the original Gates® compressor featured quirky non-linear attack and release that were very forgiving with almost any input. Its simple controls and fantastic, harmonically rich sound made it a favorite with radio and studio engineers, and now thanks to the power of Arturia’s exclusive TAE® modelling technology, it’s destined to become a favorite of yours, too. Analyzed, mapped out, and reborn as a software plugin, and powered up with new features that make this golden-age compressor a must-have for the modern producer.
A boutique signal processor with a golden touch, the original STA-Level was well known for the intimacy, air, and subtle saturation it gave to any audio it treated. As it moved from TV and radio studios to more music-focused studios in the 60s and 70s, word got around that it had a killer sound on bass and vocals; having this awesome ability to transform weak bottom-end into fat, harmonically rich bass, and bringing voices to life. All this at the turn of one knob. Its simplicity was certainly part of its appeal, and while Comp TUBE-STA has been given a few modern touches, Arturia’s engineers have been faithful to the original, powerfully simple design.
If you want tube-tone and that magic vintage gear warmth to liven up your audio, Comp TUBE-STA could be exactly what you’re looking for.
What’s so special about Comp TUBE-STA?
Groove Machine
This bass and drum part ventures through some 15dB of tube compression. Your ears will ask for more! The Kick triggers the Bass Comp Tube-STA compression using the External Sidechain input.
Grand piano up close and personal
Grand piano up close and personal. Subtle glue and proximity added to this grand piano track using gentle Single Mode
Guitar heaven
On this acoustic guitar track, listen how the strumming is nicely fattened while retaining all the attack and details.
Vintage glue, still sticking tight
The Comp Tube-STA softens any drum bus. It’s not only about compression, it’s about character!
Silky Intimacy
The Comp Tube-STA is also at ease with classical tracks, bringing the piano further to the front while keeping the singer in place, thanks to Arturia’s Dual Mode side-chain detection.
Fat bass is good for your health!
For this electric bass line, the Comp Tube-STA brings a gentle touch of fatness and smoothing. The Triple mode gives a slight edge to its attack.
Through painstaking analysis of a 1950s original, Arturia’s audio engineers and developers were able to “measure the magic” on a component level.
Using the same modelling technology behind the award-winning, celebrated V Collection synth compendium, the compressor was reborn as a software plugin, ready to treat your audio with that authentic vintage touch.
Retro Americana with a modern French accent
There’s no replacing that iconic tone of a driven vacuum tube, but in the modern era of pristine digital audio and sleek DAWs, that time-honored sound is often forgotten.
Because Comp TUBE-STA has been reworked as a software plugin, Arturia’s engineers were also able to integrate some contemporary features that make this compressor the best of both worlds: a simple, no-nonsense, great sounding compressor that you can use with modern setups and techiniques.
The top panel of the interface gives you access to all of the original controls. You can click to expand the plugin to and access its advanced, new features.
Input-output Link
Rather than the now standard “threshold” parameter, the original hardware compressor made you crank the input to engage the effect. This will obviously give you volume boosts and alter levels in your mix, but you can simply hit the “link” button to keep volume levelled as you boost the input, so you get compressed sound with steady volume.
New York, New York
One of the oldest recording studio tricks was to split a signal's path in two, leave one dry, heavily compress the other, and then mix the two signals back together. It became known as "New York" compression, or parallel compression. We simplified the process, and have included a "Mix" knob so you easily get the same effect.
Advanced Sidechain Control
“Shame compressors from the ‘50s weren’t set up for side-chaining” you cry, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The advanced panel gives you access to contemporary sidechain controls with SSL-style EQ, as well as mid-side processing so you can carve exactly the sound you want to control the compressor.
Can’t wait to try it out on your own music? You can do it right now. Comp TUBE-STA is available as a time-limited trial. Load it up, and explore this reborn legend for yourself.
Half a century of hit-making tone,
right in your DAW
Push hard for that saturated, soft-clipping sound that cuts through any mix; get the tonal balance just right at the input stage; add vintage analog warmth in your mastering chain; use the in-built mid/side processing to enhance your whole mix.
Compatible with all major DAWs, now you too can enjoy the harmonic push, subtle overtones, and tone-shaping power of the most iconic studio gear ever made.
Main Features
Original tube electronic path accurately modeled, using Arturia’s state-of-the-art TAE® analog modeling
Original Single, Double and Triple modes
Original variable Recovery parameter
Additional Arturia's creative side-chain features:External side-chain source to trigger the compressor to an external source
5 creative detection mode, including M/S processing
Advanced Side-chain EQ
Monitor Side-chain signal directly
Dry/wet Mix knob for parallel compression
Input-Output gain link switch
Switchable Analog VU meter with 3 calibrations mode (-18dBFs, -12dBS, -8 dBFs)
Analog clipping LED indicator
Comprehensive set of presets
A/B comparison setting
Integrated tutorials and unique dynamic preset tips
Resizable window
State-of-the-art TAE® analog modeling
Platform specifications
: Win 7+ PC: 4 GB RAM; 2 GHz CPU.
1GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
: 10.10+: 4 GB RAM; 2 GHz CPU.1GB free hard disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
Required configuration
VST 2.4 (64-bit), VST 3 (64-bit), AAX (64 bits with PT 11), Audio Unit (64-bit), NKS* (64-bit DAWs only).
Protection
The software is protected by the Arturia Software Center.
*NKS compatibility coming soon
All manufacturer and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Arturia. The trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose features and sound were studied during the development. All names of equipment, inventors, and manufacturers have been included for illustrative and educational purposes only, and do not suggest any affiliation or endorsement by any equipment inventor or manufacturer.
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