Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

I think this is a fantastic and affordable 2-channel compressor. I use mine in my home studio, and I think it's good for home use. I cannot comment on professional use since I'm not a pro; however, it sounds just as good to me as other more expensive compressors I've heard. Great performance for this price level.

The controls are straight forward and easy to use. The VU meters are easy to read and provide accurate metering per my level checks.

The compression, when set properly, does a nice job of reducing the signal level without squishing the sound. In other words, it does its job and does it well.

I use the VLA in conjunction with the ART Pro MPA II and they sound great...clear and warm. I highly recommend both of the units.

Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

As an audio and broadcast engineer for over 30 years, I've been putting off trying this box. Who would have thought a tube (vactrol) compressor could work so well at this price point? When I saw an out-of-the box recertified one, I had to try one and boy I'm glad I did.

I am used to the tube compressors of old time radio studios I've worked in for years so when this came to my doorstep it was a no-brainer to set up. I didn't even need to read the manual to know what the controls did. And unlike my TC box I had in my studio, this thing actually sounds like it's doing something with the audio and it's all good, too.

It doesn't overshoot, unless you set it wrong, and it has a warm, smooth sound and the attack can be pretty transparent, even on large changes in vocals I sample recorded with a music mix. It even helped me realize how inferior my dynamic mics are. Put a good ribbon velocity, tube or large diaphragm condenser mic on this through the channel strip and it sounds even better. No complaints so far.

Love the analog VU meters and the ability to monitor the output of the gain reduction is wonderful, you can get a real feel for how much processing is being applied to your audio with this. The mix of bar graph meters with the analog on this unit is a nice touch. One caviet though, both channels don't warm up at the same time. This is typical of tube equipment, so don't be surprised if one channel starts working within a minute and the other doesn't start working until after about 3 to 5 minutes. That's what I experienced. It reminds me of the days when everything was vacuum tube in a radio studio. But, once up an running, The ART worked great!

For a broadband compressor, this is one of the best for the price point. I second all the other great comments made about this compressor's features, the fine-detent controls, the meters, the dynamic range, quietness, transparency all are superb. I hope, as with all other ART products I own, this one will last for years.

Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

While I'm waiting for my refund, I guess this is more of a review of MF, who really fell down on the job here.
They sent me a "Restock" unit. It was packed in an old beat-up, unsealed box with what appeared to be someone's garbage (old newspapers, etc.). No Power Cord! (so I couldn't even power it up to test) And the unit itself had obvious signs of use/abuse: the rack ears were worn from being racked, the body scratched...
I'm not sure I can deal with MF anymore.
But you'll have to decide for yourself if this kind of thing is worth the risk...

Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

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.

Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

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 :-)

Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

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.

Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

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.

Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

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.

Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

I have had this compressor (VLA II) for about 6 months now and I love it. I have used it for some demo mastering and it is a "real" optical compressor response. I even have used it to hypercompress and it sounded amazing(hypercompression techniques on cheap compressors usually sound bad). The controls are designed to be centered at typical usable volumes. It even looks nice - rounded edges and analog meters. It adds a little bite in the mid range - which is really unusual - my other compressors seem suck out the mids. Handles the bass well. It pumps with a real musical presence like what you hear on radio mixes.

Comments about ART Pro VLA II Tube Compressor:

This is a great pc of equipment. I cannot find anything that I do not like about the vlaII. Very sensitve, very quiet, and very effective. Not a ten thousand dollar manley, but you get allot of processing power!!