Introducing a faithful and enhanced replica the legendary UREI 1178, the SA-78T+
The UREI 1178 stereo compressor has been for decades the secret weapon of countless renowned engineers around the world for overheads, acoustic guitars, room mics, backing vocals and parallel drum mixes.
After several requests to manufacture this unit, we thought it was time to bring this unit back to life with all premium parts BUT with critical improvements to overcome the “shortcomings” of the original design.
Despite being extremely popular amongst experienced engineers, the UREI 1178 had two major limitations that prevented it from being as popular as their mono sibling, the 1176:
1)The lack of a slower attack time for Mix Buss Duties
Perhaps the most important shortcoming of 1178 was the lack of a slower attack setting to utilize this stereo unit for drum bus and mix bus duties. We grabbed the famous super slow attack mode from 1176AE and added it to the SA-78T Plus at 15ms giving it the perfect attack time to be used on drum bus and mix bus duties. This new feature opens a world of possibilities that were previously impossible while preserving the original audio path and timbre of an old 1178.
2)The lack of a side chain high pass filter
Music and audio engineering has changed a lot in the past 50 years. With music becoming so bass heavy, it was critical to add a side chain high pass filter to this stereo compressor. We decided to grab the five-position sidechain HPF used on our popular SA-4000 and integrate it into the SA78 giving you 5 different frequency options.
Introducing the SA-78 Iron MOD
While the SA78 is a glorious sounding unit thanks to its rich output transformers it can be further enhanced by adding back the missing UTC 0-12 input transformer which was replaced by an IC circuit on the 1176 from Rev G onwards. This input transformer was found on the famous 1176 Rev A, D and F and imparts a unique character adding a beautiful coloration, low-end and harmonic distortion taking this unit to a whole new level.
For those who chose the Input Transformer MOD we have given you the option to select it at the flip of a knob simply called Iron. The Iron MOD can be added for 200USD
Further upgrades
On top of the super slow attack and the 5-position high pass filter we also added a much needed Dry-Wet blend control. This feature is key for parallel drum bus duties and when used in conjunction with the slower attack time opens a whole new level of sonic capabilities. The SA-78 Plus also comes with a true bypass and a GR bypass to pass audio through the unit without compression for coloration.
Premium Components
Each SA-78+ is hand made at our lab in Chile with UK made Carnhill output transformers, Vishay capacitors, Alpha potentiometers, custom VU meters and Carbon comp resistors respecting the original components that gave this unit its famous sound.
Its unique stereo design and new flexible controls for coloration and time constants will make it the perfect stereo compressor for tracking and taking over mixing duties that were previously not possible.
At Stam Audio we believe that making a 1:1 replica is great but just not good enough. We want to offer customers not just a great sounding unit, but the best sounding replica on the market at the best possible price as well as the most flexible one.
Taking the brave decision to make everything by hand at the lab instead of mass-producing units takes time to manufacture and it’s no secret that there are waiting lists. However, this also allows us to tweak each unit to perfection so that every single SA78+ and jFET compressor that leaves our lab not only sounds the same as an old UREI, but also will last for decades to come.
100% satisfaction guarantee – if you don’t love your SA-78T+, we’ll refund you
We’re extremely confident the SA-78T+ will put a big smile on your face every time you use it. However, if you’ve never touched either of the originals before, as gear lovers ourselves, we understand that the only way to really know if this compressor is for you, is to put it through its paces. That’s why the SA-78T+ comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. This allows you to get it into your rack and see how it impacts your recordings. If you love it (and we think you will!), great…keep the unit and create amazing music with it. If not, no problems. Just send it back to us and we’ll fully refund your purchase.
Peter –
This unit is amazing! I’ve become a recent fan of Stam products, and like all other Stam products I own, this does not disappoint whatsoever. I purchased mine with the IRON MOD, which I would recommend to anyone considering the same. I feel like If you’re intentional with how you craft and shape your sound, you won’t be disappointed. As a quick example, for those interested, one of the first things I set out to record while using this was stereo micing an acoustic guitar, for a little bit of wide panned acoustic brightness, to help create a 3 dimensional sound, combined with a single mic on the guitar (so, 3 mics total, 2 on this 78T+, the other running through a Stam76 ADG). I set the 78T+ for Dual Mono, 4:1 ratio, HP engaged, Iron mod engaged, 100% wet,.Attack and Release adjusted to suit, Inputs adjusted to give me about 1-3 db of compression. It did EXACTLY what I wanted it to do (!!) It was amazing! It’s a fantastic compressor I’m very happy with it and definitely recommend getting one
john painter The Kitchen Studios- Dallas –
My sa-78+ is so smooth and fat. the transformer option adds lots of color and the mix knob and HPF are killer upgrades to the original. I have many Stam pieces in my studio and they never disappoint
Alexei –
Great unit! Better and clearer than original!
Just makes everything better!
cristo –
The SA-78T+ is literally built like a tank. Looks and feels like comps 3 times its price in my studio. The ability to switch transformers in and out is an eye opener, I used to want transformers on everything… This one is different, for room mics I mostly run it with transformers off, sounds huge, clear and wide, it really shines in this application, massive. Not just at the usual fastest attack & release squash thing but in slower settings the movement is wonderfully musical. The transformers I find well suited for very close mics, rounds the edges off. I’ve been barely scratching the surface with this unit but it already found a permanent spot as room magnifier. It gives weight and size without smearing transients or blurring the lower spectrum.
Jeff O’Rourke –
Loving my SA-78T+! This compressor is amazing on drums and anything percussive. The wet/dry option makes more extreme compressor settings very useful and the iron option adds weight and color when you need it. One of my all time favorites! Another home run for Stam Audio.
Zyon Odinson –
This compressor is crazy good! I was skeptical about it at first. I had never used the original and did not know what to expect. I had a basic concept of where and how I would use it. However, I did not know about the sound. Boy…was I blown away when I put it in a mix. Now, it is either my go-to for my Rear Bus or my Drums. The one thing I am upset about with this device is that I did not get the Iron Modification. Man…I could really use that. Blessed!
Brad Divens –
This is my first Stam Audio piece and it definitely won’t be my last. Sounds great on everything I’ve tried it on. I can hit it hard and it just sounds fantastic. The iron mod transformer option is a must have. Add color and weight with the turn of a knob. The mix knob, high pass filter and slower attack times are great additions too. Makes it way more versatile than the original. Just buy it!!! You won’t be disappointed. Pure audio bliss!
Thomas –
The SA-78T+ is absolutely fantastic! The way it glues the tracks, and bring out the punch! I foremost use it on my drumbus but it works amazing on piano, backing vocals and guitars. I hit it pretty hard and then mix in the dry signal and Booom! Love it!!! No wonder it became a legend, and now with mix knob and Iron mod….. 🙂
Ivan –
I finally had the time to test drive my SA-78T+. I knew it was going to be good on drum room mics, overheads and drum bus, but not this good. It is hard to make it sound bad and it is an extremely musical piece of equipment; it also excels on acoustic guitar and 2 bus. Glad I got mine with the Iron mod, although you won’t want the transformer on for any situation.
Neil –
I picked up the SA-78T+ with Iron Mod when I was in the market for a stereo compressor, specifically for certain drum applications (heavily limiting room mics, evening-out levels on very ‘dynamic’ drum performances on overheads, serving as a compresssor for kick/snare separately). It exceeds expectations – works great on individual shells, overheads, and the drum buss as a whole. The Slo Attack setting adds another level of versatility for use on busses. Switching to AB mode and using it as a 2-stage compressor (routing the output of one channel to the input of the next) allows for interesting dynamic manipulation and an additional trip through the input transformer, which is available with the Iron mod (highly recommended). Flipping “iron” in adds another layer to the compressor, as it can do something as subtle as taking off the edge to a brighter vocal, or tame harsh/heavy cymbal crashing.
Be prepared to commit some tracks in your DAW, because you’ll likely find uses for this across multiple sources.