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.
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.
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.
What’s so special about Comp TUBE-STA?
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.
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.
Retro Americana
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 techniques.
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.
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01. 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.
02. 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.
03. 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.
Artistscorner
Sean Tallman
The LA vocal sound
LA-based recording and mixing engineer Sean Tallman has spent over two decades working hand-in-hand with some of music’s most influential artists.
Read the StoryIncluded in
FX collection
Effects you'll actually use
This effect is part of FX Collection, a suite of essential audio effect plugins empowering musicians, producers, and artists to get creative with their production. From iconic recording gear modeled with breathtaking accuracy, to cutting-edge contemporary effects, the collection includes the most sought-after studio tools, rare guitar pedals, modern mix enhancers, and beyond. Elevate your production and add color to your mix like never before.
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Die Features
Du brauchst
Egal, wie du unsere Plug-Ins nutzt, ob für einen fantastischen Hall-Sound, ob für knisternde Vorverstärkung oder für ein unglaubliches Sounddesign, du kannst dir sicher sein, dass alles vollständig kompatibel zu deinem Setup ist. Unsere Plug-Ins funktionieren mit allen bekannten DAWs sowohl unter Windows als auch macOS.
Mit dem Arturia Software Center kannst du deine Arturia Software an einem Ort herunterladen, organisieren und aktualisieren und alle deine Lizenzen für mehrere Geräte verwalten. Einfacher geht es nicht!
Ganz gleich, ob du vollständig visuell in unsere klassischen Effekt-Emulationen eintauchen willst oder wertvollen Bildschirmplatz sparen möchtest, die Bedienfenster für alle deine Arturia-Plug-Ins können auf die von dir gewünschte Größe angepasst werden.
Jeder Parameter in jedem Plug-In der FX Collection kann in deinem gewünschten MIDI-Controller zur direkten, praktischen Kontrolle deines Mixes zugeordnet werden. Mach einen Filter-Sweep, drehen einen Vorverstärker auf oder transformiere deine Modulationen während der laufenden Wiedergabe.
Jedes Plug-In der FX Collection bietet integrierte Tutorials und führt dich bei Bedarf Schritt für Schritt durch alle wichtigen Parameter, Einstellungen und Mixing-Tipps, um das Beste aus deinem Sound herauszuholen. Das Tutorial-Panel erklärt auch alle Bedienelemente, so dass du keine Anpassungsoption verpasst.
Mit dem optimierten Preset-Browser der FX Collection kannst du deine gewünschten Preset filtern, organisieren und speichern – für den sofortigen Einsatz. Such nach Instrumentenart, Genre, Produktionstechnik und vielem mehr - damit du schnell die Einstellung findest, die du benötigst und so wertvolle kreative Zeit sparen kannst!
TAE® Powered
The exclusive analog modeling technology that makes our emulations indistinguishable from the originals.
By accurately mimicking the characteristics of analog oscillators, filters, and soft clipping, we can provide astonishing component-accurate detail and authentic analog charm in equal measure.
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Gallery
Main Features
Virtual recreation of famed classic tube compressor
Original tube electronic path accurately modeled, using Arturia’s state-of-the-art TAE® analog modeling
Original variable Recovery parameter
Additional Arturia 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
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
Platforms specifications
Windows
- Win 10+ (64bit)
- 4 GB RAM
- 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost)
- 1GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
- ARM processors not supported on Windows
Required configuration
- VST, AAX, Audio Unit, NKS (64-bit DAWs only).
Apple
- Mac OS 10.13+
- 4 GB RAM
- 4 cores CPU, 3.4 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo-boost) or M1 CPU
- 1GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
Work with ASC
- An elegant and simple solution to help you install, activate, and update your Arturia software.
* 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.
*NKS ready