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ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor  

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ART

Opto-compressor with mastering-quality audio signal path and tube gain stage.

The Pro VLA by ART is a tube driven Vactrol-based Compressor/Leveling amplifier designed to excel in any professional audio application, including tracking, mixing, mastering, live sound or broadcast situations. By using an opto-electronic design, (as opposed to a more typical VCA driven level detection circuit) the Pro VLA II allows more compression to be added to an audio source with a more natural, musical sounding output and virtually transparent dynamic leveling. This VCA-less design coupled with a 12AT7 vacuum tube in the gain stage makes the Pro VLA II tube compressor the ideal dynamic control device for critical studio and live sound applications.

These are the differences between the Pro VLA and the Pro VLA II:

1. Enhanced Link mode

In link mode, CH1 output control acts as a master output level and CH2 becomes a Balance control. This optimizes the Pro VLA II for use as a mastering processor.

2. Active balanced outputs. The old VLA has balanced outputs that have 6dB more gain than when using them in the unbalanced mode. This shows up as an error when using the VU meter to compare the input and output level.

3. LED output meter.

a. Always monitors the output level allowing the user to view Both input and output levels at the same time.
b. LED meter indicates both average level plus Peak hold.

4. Attack and Release knobs vs. switches. The Old VLA compressor has switches that allow the user to adjust the attack time between "Fast" (~1mSec) and "Normal" (~10mSec). The release switch can be set to "normal" (200mSec) and "Auto" (program dependant, but rather long an average).

a. Attack time as ranges from .25mSec to 50mSec
b. Release time ranges from 0.15Sec to 3Sec. (This is program dependant at shorter release rates).
c. Improved detector that lowers low frequency distortion at fast release rates.

5. Improved package

a. Rounded front panel machined to countersink all knobs and level meters.
b. Re-enforced ears.
c. Led lit switch caps.
d. Heavier chassis and cover ruggedized for longer life on the road.

6. Lower noise.

a. +4dBu/-10dBv mode switch optimizes the unit for Pro OR consumer operating system levels.
b. Toroidal transformer reduces mechanical and electrical hum.
c. Tweaked Tube circuit for better dynamic range.
d. Increased transformer shielding.

7. Increased ranges on Threshold and Output gain. This allows the user a wider range of operation.

a. Old threshold = -20 to +15, New Threshold range = -30dB to +20dB.
b. Old Output gain max = +10dB, New output Gain = +20dB

8. LED lit VU meters. No more dark meters due to blown out bulbs.

9. All of the pots have detents.

a. Imparts a more professional feel.
b. Makes settings more repeatable.

Features

  • Vactrol Opto-compression design (No VCA)
  • Mastering-quality audio signal path with tube gain stage
  • Enhanced link mode
  • Variable threshold, ratio and output controls
  • LED backlit VU input/output level metering
  • LED metering indicates both average level and peak hold
  • Accurate ten segment LED gain reduction metering
  • +4dBu/-10dBV mode switch
  • Active-balanced XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs
  • Toroidal transformer reduces mechanical and electrical hum
  • While in stereo link mode, channel 1 level control acts as a master output level and channel 2 becomes a balance control between them--optimizing the Pro-VLA II for use as a mastering tool

Pro VLA II Tube Compressor Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 3.50" H x 19.0" W x 9.17" D (89 mm H x 483 mm W x 487 mm D)
  • Weight: 10.5 lbs. (4.8 kg)
  • Input impedance balanced/unbalanced: 10K Ohms
  • Maximum levels:
  • Range switch: +4dBu/-10dBV selectable
  • Inputs: +20dBu (in +4dBu mode) / +10dBV (in —10dBV mode)
  • Output: +20dBu (R load > 10K, 0.1%THD)
  • Output Gain: +20dB max
  • Frequency response: 10Hz to 100KHz (+/- 0.5dB)
  • Dynamic Range: >100dB (20-20KHz)
  • THD: @ 0dBm Out <0.1% (typical)
  • Equivalent Input Noise (EIN)
  • @+4dBu: -99dBu ('A' weighted)
  • @-10 dBV: -107dBu ('A' weighted)
  • Attack time: 0.25msec. to 50msec. variable
  • Release time: 150msec. to 3 sec, variable
  • Slope variable: 2:1 to 20:1
  • Max. attenuation: 30dB
Write a Review Overall Rating Customer Reviews 9 See all 9 customer reviews...

Great addition to home studio

| Review By: Matt-Fil3S | 2 months, 3 weeks ago

0 people out of 0 found this review helpful

Features:

The VLA II is just what I needed for really polishing my projects... very smooth, non-obtrusive, quite transparent. The stock Ruby tubes are a bit muddy, IMO. I switched out for EHX 12at7s and the high end is represented nicely (mine was used: if you switch out, you'll void the warranty on a new one).

 

The only other negative I have with it, other than the Rubys, is that the machine screws on the side are a bit big, and I had to remove them to get it to fit in my rack (I built the rack, so it could be an oversight on measurement on my part). All of the other outboard gear that I've acquired have had flat screws; this one has large round-head screws all around. I've never had any issues fitting other gear. You could replace the screws (again, you MAY void the warranty on this one too), but I just removed them.

 

As for the sound, it really adds punch to the tracks. The detents in the pots/knobs are a really nice and handy touch. For the price, you can't go wrong with this unit. I have a budget studio (not dirt cheap, though), and it was the second best piece of gear I've gotten in 12 months. Obviously, if you can afford a high-end compressor, it will beat this thing to pieces. For those of us who can't, I think the VLA II will outperform ANY in-the-box compressor you'll find. You just can't recreate the feel or control you have with outboard gear with a plug-in.

 

One last note, while it doesn't claim to be true-bypass, I would NOT recommend sending a signal though it without utilizing the compression. There is a coloration added in bypass mode that I have found to be offensive, to say the least, no matter the tube configuration (and I tried many).

 

Great buy, for you budget minded guys and girls out there. Get one, you won't be sorry to parted with the cash.

Quality:
Value:
Overall:
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
Yes
Musical Experience:
20 years plus
Style of music you play:
Rock, Psychedelic, Country, Folk
Where you live:
WV

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1114801

Top Shelf Quality

| Review By: John-MjEtY | 11 months, 2 weeks ago

0 people out of 0 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:
This new version of the ART Pro VLA II tube driven compressors sound is smooth, warm and is very forgiving to being over driven and keeps distortion to a minimum. Every aspect is fully adjustable and all the pots have detentes and have a very solid feel as do the switches. The meters are accurate, well lit and easy to read. The chassis doesn't run hot at all, just gets a little warm. A fine addition to any studio and worth every penny. Get one you'll be glad you did. Musicians Friend has awesome service thanks guys :-)
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
Hobbyist, Internet Music
Style of music you play:
All
Where you live:
Jacksonville Florida

Did you find this review helpful? yes no986241

best affordable compressor

| Review By: Jay-SYLId | 1 year, 10 months ago

0 people out of 0 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:
This is one of the best compressors I have used.  I run it on the entire mix from front of house and it tightens everything up.  It doesn't suck the mids out and boost the highs like most lower-priced compressors do.  I'm in the process of building a small project home studio and I can't wait to use this in there.  This unit is definitely worth the money.
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
live sound engineer, drummer
Style of music you play:
country
Where you live:
Allentown, PA

Did you find this review helpful? yes no900955

Warm studio sound

| Review By: just_the_bajo_guy | 2 years, 1 week ago

1 people out of 1 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:
I'm new to the pro-audio, home studio buz. I had a TC Electronics compressor and needed something with a little more of a "studio sound" without breaking my budget. Music is just a hobby to me and I would never do it for a living (I have a steady 8 to 5 and prefer it that way). This tube compressor is probably as close to a studio sound as you'll get for under $1,000. It sounds warm and crisp and made a big difference in the end product of home recordings. I'm also sight-impairred and it's easy to read the big dials, needles and other features. It's a blast.
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
home studio, bass plyr
Style of music you play:
Latin rock, blues rock. . . . . .
Where you live:
Sactown, CA

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1025019

You need this.

| Review By: Anonymous User | 2 years, 3 months ago

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

Features:
Quality:
Value:
Overall:
These are musical and easy to use. They work wonders on vocals, transform weak bass, control sloppy bass, make drums punch, snares thwack and tom fills BOOM. It is quiet enough to use on a whole mix for mastering and works wonders for ANY soundtrack that goes to video such as YouTube content. If you are a studio owner or production house, you can afford to buy several at this price. Your investment will pay you back in professional sound and referral-business. If you are a geeky high-tech guitarist or bass player with a rack system, whip out your card and buy this thing now. You will thank me everyday you use it. I own four. All of them work perfectly and bench-test at / above stated specs. The first one I bought is four years old and sees use 24 / 7 at a radio station studio. It is still going strong. The other three are in our production studio where we make commercials with music backgrounds. This box brings everything up to pro-par fast and is super easy to set-up. I have never read the manual; never had to. It just works.
Do you own the product?:
Yes
Have you used the product?:
No
Musical Experience:
Broadcast Audio Engineer
Style of music you play:
Radio
Where you live:
New York

Did you find this review helpful? yes no1062842

See all 9 customer reviews...
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