Skibbe Red Stripe 5-9 Opto Compressor

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MisterMark
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Skibbe Red Stripe 5-9 Opto Compressor

Post by MisterMark » Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:32 pm

Been thinking about picking one of these up. Opinions of how it compares to a Retro Labs STA-Level?

http://www.keyclubrecording.com/skibbe.html

Thanks,

Mark
Placid Audio - Home of the Copperphone

"Turn it up till it squeals then back it down a hair"
"Take these pills and pull down your pants... um, I mean, here take these pills"

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winky dinglehoffer
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Post by winky dinglehoffer » Fri Sep 04, 2009 4:20 am

Isn't the Skibbe piece basically an LA2A clone?

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MisterMark
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Post by MisterMark » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:42 am

Yeah, it is supposed to be an La-2a clone and I've heard through the grapevine it's a pretty honorable replication but I don't have an La-2a to compare to either. I have a Retro STA-Level that I'm pretty happy with, but was curious about the Skibbe and how it was different/similar to the STA-Level.

-Mark
Placid Audio - Home of the Copperphone

"Turn it up till it squeals then back it down a hair"
"Take these pills and pull down your pants... um, I mean, here take these pills"

kdarr
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Post by kdarr » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:10 pm

Bill Skibbe was interviewed in "Behind the Gear" in issue #44.

The Red Stripe is more or less patterned after an LA-2A, but there are a few modifications. Here's what the article said:
TapeOp: Are there any differences between the Universal Audio and the Skibbe?

BS: Mainly in the transformers and the layout of the Red Stripe. We used Jensen transformers instead of the UTCs in the original. We also changed values on some capacitors and pulled the varicaps, which are notorious for giving out. Ergonomically, we flipped some controls from the back to the front panel, which I believe makes it more functional.
Hope that helps. I just happened to have this issue out on my desk today.

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