The Neve 33609, known for its diode-bridge topology, has been a studio staple since the late 60s, evolving through various revisions to become one of the most iconic compressors in history. The Stam SA-609 MK3+ brings all these revisions – Metal Knob, C, J/D, and N – into a single unit, offering four legendary compressors in one.
By using UK-made Carnhill transformers, reverse-engineered BA-440 op-amps, and premium components like Vishay and tantalum capacitors, it faithfully recreates the vintage character of each revision while introducing enhancements for modern workflows.
The Metal Knob mode reproduces the original’s dark, smooth sound with rich low-end saturation and a subtle top-end roll-off, thanks to carefully matched Carnhill transformers and painstakingly recreated BA-440 output cards. Rev C delivers a brighter, more open sound while retaining the warmth of the earlier version, making it ideal for bringing clarity and life to modern mixes.
Rev J/D, popular in the 90s, offers a more aggressive, mid-forward tone with reduced high-end presence, perfect for drums and punchy sources. Rev N, based on the most recent models, has a flatter frequency response with tight lows and smooth highs, making it versatile for various genres and instruments.
To enhance usability, the Stam SA-609 MK3+ introduces a Super Slow Attack MOD with a 20ms attack time, perfect for mix bus duties in heavier music styles like rock, electronic, or metal. It also includes a fast 2ms attack time, borrowed from the N revision, for handling more percussive sources like snares and kicks.
Additional features include a three-position sidechain high-pass filter, allowing control over low frequencies triggering compression, and a mix blend control for easy parallel compression.
Like the original, the Stam SA-609 MK3+ offers a range of ratios, from transparent compression at 1.5:1 to a more aggressive 6:1 for adding attitude. It’s equipped with precise stepped controls for recall, making it ideal for mastering.
Each channel includes threshold, release, makeup gain, and ratio controls, while a brick-wall limiter with independent bypass provides further flexibility. The limiter sits after the compression circuit and can be disengaged when not needed.
The Stam SA-609 MK3+ supports both linked stereo and dual mono modes. Stereo mode ensures cohesive compression across the mix, while dual mono mode allows independent control of the left and right channels, ideal for mixes with significant dynamic differences between channels. This versatility, combined with its ability to handle everything from mix buses to drums, vocals, and acoustic instruments, makes it a perfect tool for any studio setup.
Built with high-quality components, the Stam SA-609 MK3+ retains the sonic characteristics that made the original 33609 legendary while addressing its limitations, ensuring both vintage authenticity and modern functionality. Whether used for mastering, mixing, or individual instruments, it delivers precision, warmth, and the unmistakable tone of a true classic.
