ART Pro VLA II - Analog Tube Compressor | Review with Sound Samples
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
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Great review - as always! Also, here are time stamps for you, my friend.
0:00 - Intro / Overview
4:40 - Drum Group
7:20 - Bass Group
9:55 - Instrument Group
12:55 - Vocal Group
16:12 - Mix Bus
19:23 - Conclusion
Thank you!!
For some reason when I run bass threw mine I loose low end. What am I doing wrong ? What kinda cables are you using ?
Standard 1/4“ Insert cables, quite cheap ones actually. I think the brand is sssnake from Thomann.
@@ZedMartyProduction thanks! Have you ever had a loss of low end problem with this unit ?
no, all good so far
Finally somebody who knows what they're doing with the ART VLA . Thank You!!! So wow!! A little goes a long way doesn't it? Thank you for limiting example @ the 18min mark as well, so the audio overcomes You Tube's own compression.
i am compressing you with mine right now, had it since 2014, I will correct its not a tube compressor, its an optical compressor! it makes up the gain with tubes though!
Blown away how well it brought the high end detail of the guitars out. Beautiful
Hey, we geek out over the same stuff. Nice to see you here.
@@gentrytwistoryHey dude! Yeah, long time and small world, eh?
@@warrenwilcock8183 The smallest! Long time, indeed. I’ve seen some shots of your studio recently (Facebook, I think?)… nice!
@@gentrytwistory Thanks dude! If you ever find yourself in Seattle and want to jam/record, hit me up!
I own the ART Pro VLA and the ART Pro VLA II. From the moment I statrted-up the VLA it made a positive difference to everything I ran through it. The Pro.VLA II was like icing on the cake with many desired pro audio features. There is a good reason I use in my Mastering rack downstream of my Focusrite multi- band compressor and just before my Aphex multi-band limiter. I sometimes just run signal through the Pro VLA II to warm up the signal without any compression. Your work here is stellar. Thanks!
"I sometimes just run signal through the Pro VLA II to warm up the signal without any compression." - thank you for pointing this out as an option. I'm at the start of my analogue outboard gear journey, and the possibility of doing this makes this even more attractive to me as a purchase, since I don't currently have anything with tubes in it! The VLA II would give me that, as well as a pretty decent-sounding bus compressor for a good price. Awesome :)
How do you find the Art Pro VLA in comparison with the VLA II?
Just ordered one of these
Heard it's an absolute monster on bass and overheads
Finally, finally, finally! A proper review and examples of this unit. Thank you very much for doing an excellent job here. I have been going through dozens of videos about the unit for the past few days, and this is by far the only properly done example and review of the unit, that actually shows in a transparent way excatly what to expect from it. This is incredibly important for a compressor, especially on CZcams that already degrtades audio, so yeah. Priceless :) Thanks again and you have a sub from me for excellent work done here :)
Thanks mate, great to hear!
I have one and don't use how it was intended, it's my 'secret weapon' I use on the 2bus mix. It adds a flavour! most people just use it for mics, but you can put anything you want through it!
This is exactly how I intend to use it to breathe life into my all digital compositions. I just got this to pair with my Analog Heat box and so far it sounds great. This also keeps my cpu usage low because I'm not overusing multiple saturation plugins on many tracks.
Great sounding drums to begin with dude !
I'm starting to wish I didnt get rid of mine. Defintely one of the best sounding compressors out there hands down. AND I mean even compared to the higher end stuff.
AMS, and rock star payment plan....
Thank you for using real instruments in the examples!
Nice review, and surely a beautiful song.
I also use the VLA II for some years now and use it on various instrument busses mainly. One thing to say, only the last gainstage works with the tube, so it is not realy a tube compressor, such as the Klark KT2A is.
Mix was already really good without the compressor... kudos.
Sounds nice and warm. But it is not a tune compressor but an optical with a tube for amplification
Thank you so much! I've been trying to use a dbx 266xs on the final mix with less than satisfactory results, your demo of the ART Pro VLA II on the Mix Bus clearly shows that the ART is the better tool for what I'm looking for!
Man I truly enjoyed this presentation very good 🔥. Bought this item it’s a beast ! Thanks for the introduction Brother 🔥🔥🔥🔥!
Great video, very transparent showcase. Excellent drums btw
Thank you!
Your reviews are fantastic! Thanks for this too! I am considering buying a hardware compressor for studio work.
You‘re welcome! It‘s a great comp for the money!
Fantastic review and samples, this is the qualityon youtube I love to see.
Thank you!
Have one of these for a few years and I truly enjoy using it. It can be as transparent or with color as you like. The only problem when using in link mode, the balance is a bit out on mine (and few others also mentioned this to me), but running calibration signal, you can correct it on the way into the interface.
how would you calibrate it?
@@SoundcastStudios Just opened and calibrated it last week. Send a sinewave audio signal and adjust the trim pots inside the unit for each channel. Mine was 2db to 3db out from left to right, now it's 0.2db difference. Sounds balanced now.
@@RecordingStudio9 u should make a video of the process. Now that's the only thing keeping me from buying this unit. Thank god for comment boards
@@SoundcastStudios When in stereo link mode, the right hand output knob becomes a LR balance control.
@@SoundcastStudios on the Pro VLA 2 there is a calibration knob on the front of the unit.
Appreciate the in depth demo bruv.
so you bought one I don't get much use out of mine but when I first tested it I did not notice the compression too much
Excellent Review! Thank you!
Ok the mix was good.
Pre amp, vocals for male singers and female singer?
Where they all run through the ART?
wow, sounds fantastic!
Great music. Everything sounds great Thank you
I run all my midi vst instruments loops through it to turn to audio also use it on master bus at the end of my mixing
I was hoping to get this unit for this same purpose. Just running midi or warming up vst sounds with it. I'm a little bit skeptical I don't know if it really can warm it up to studio quality level. Not the super smooth anyway.
@@matthewomorere8241 It can.
I am pretty sold on gaming one of these. I'm able to get almost what I want ITB..... But looking for just a little real analog kiss.... in the compressor flavor. Getting good vibes....
The Art Vla is a compressor I often find myself liking better in Bypass. It’s closed and it adds a lot of noise, listen to the full mix at 17:27. It’s ok on drums and bass. I got the Warm Bus Comp as a strong upgrade to the Vla bus mix. Then had modifications. Might do review video on that soon.
Absoluteley right. In Bypass especially on mixbus its more open and 3d. The Compressor makes it smaller.
its not really an ssl style bus comp . it has its places though . for a cheap compressor for instruments/vocals its remarkably low artefact at high compression ratios .
Really well done. I'm planning to get one by Christmas. Most especially for that extra little bit of depth and real analog glue for the mixbus. I was wondering if this would be enough. I think it is.....
I like PRO VLA compressor
Wow is amazing sound nice 👍
Finaly thank you for sharing info on the +4/-10 lol 😆 thank you for this video
I'm going to get one of these. That said, it's not a tube compressor. Each channel has only one tube and they're for master gain, not compression.
Wonderful!
Thanks Zed for your content! Sometime Did you use it in mixbus and which is it the set up?
nice demo, tnx
Purchased this comp in 2008 for $250 and returned it. Disagree with the build quality... granted, its not a lot of money but it felt really cheap and it does something strange in the low mids... almost like its overly compressing and sucking out the frequencies from 500kz to 2k. I think it works well on some material but for the price, ($450 in 2022), I rather grab several UAD compressors.
the video is really cool .. my art pro will arrive this week! a doubt, what audio interface do you use for samming?
3x Presonus Firestudio Project
Kill the stereo link button and do both sides matched by ear and you will be shocked. The st link button sucks but besides that it's a killer piece. I've been mixing with mine for years. Easy repurchase if it was damaged.
Oh, the first one I got was kinda crappy so I returned and the second one was keeper for sure. Build quality kinda iffy (cuz its $300 lol).
Yes, I noticed that too! I use it in dual mono now.
I've read about problem just about every where. Got a question for you since you've used it for some time. Many say it doesn't have a fast attack. And of course sometime one needs a compressor to do that. Do you agree with that criticism?
@@hummarstraful TBH I can't really say more that its fast enough for everything I have tried it on. I wouldn't avoid if for that reason.
Is there away to sidechain lows so there not effected using this compressor?
Hi! Thanks for the review. What would be some good valves for replacement for this compressor in your opinion? (that may improve the overal sounding) Thanks!!
I sold my ATR vla2 but be honest I really regret.....that was awesome tube compressor
“I don’t want to talk about the features”
Then goes through absolutely every feature
Nice video and great examples:) How do you feel it handled to low end on the Mixbus without a Sc/ Hp filter ?
Thank you! Actually quite good - if it starts distorting because of excessive low end, a longer release does the job.
@@ZedMartyProduction I might have to pick one of these up
@@MachineCityAudio highly recommend! My fav mix bus comp. Even over the Warm Bus Comp!
@@AtTheSourceStudiosI’m definitely gonna check this out when I get the chance, Did you change the tubes or keep the original ?
@@MachineCityAudio I did try Mullard and Tung Sol but ended up preferring the frequency balance and color of the stock tubes. I would say the Tung Sols were a close second and I may try them again sometime tho.
how do you hook thi sup to an interface? how doeas that work, how do i select the thing in my DAW? thta would be a far more cool video
I already done a video about that topic: czcams.com/video/Nszfy6_639s/video.html&lc=UgyHfSgAB0TVuHctbCl4AaABAg
just received mine and started to hear the signal from channel 2 bleed into channel 1 but channel 1 doesn't bleed into channel 2.i don't have 'stereo link' on. is this normal behavior?
I just got one & the xlr connections are extrememly tight I can barely get them in & out w different kinds of cables.I tried lubing them, but was a minimal solution.Is this common with ART products?
Why such a low level signal passing through the unit?
hello Zed, I am curious if I could somehow digitally route the stereo output from my DAW mixer (I am using Logic Pro X) through the compressor or if that is only possible on an analog console? Say I have I have a pre recorded drum track or samples. Would my only option be tracking with the compression or how does using this compressor after the fact work if I only have a digital console and my Presonus 1824c which has lineoutput? I hope this made sense thank you and I will Sub :)
You can use the I/O plugin of Logic to send tracks to hardware units. I have a video about that on my channel.
is The ART Voice Channel tube channel strip better? great videos by the way. keep up the great work .
Have not used the Voice Channel yet, so I can‘t comment on that. But ART make good products, so I guess this one should be fine too.
Well...I too finally got one of these units. Plugged it in last night and it immediately started clicking, popping, and worst of all buzzing constantly like it was not grounded. This thing should have been whisper quiet! Tried isolating everything and then 4 different XLR cables...no dice! Could not speak with ART tech support because he had the day off...go figure. It is now on it's way back via UPS. I ordered another one because I do want to give it a fair shot and I really like the stereo option. But you know what they say about first impressions...we'll see...I hope I'm wrong. Update...I ended up sending the second one back also. I could not find the problem and speak with anyone in tech support. Not a good look for a company if they want to sell their product. I ended up going with a WA12 and WA76 and never looked back. Now I'm in the process of getting my sound dialed in. I'm just happy I didn't have internal wiring problems in my house! That was really freaking me out for a while.
And? How is it going now?
@@alee7275 Update...I ended up sending the second one back also. I could not find the problem and speak with anyone in tech support. Not a good look for a company if they want to sell their product. I ended up going with a WA12 and WA76 and never looked back. Now I'm in the process of getting my sound dialed in. I'm just happy I didn't have internal wiring problems in my house! That was really freaking me out for a while.
From the examples it appears to be rather noisy, could you please comment on that?
What is the mixer on ur desk sir
Soundcraft GB4
Can you use this for mastering? Or is it primarily for the mix.
also for mastering if you like.. someone said it depends on the genre.. but in general
Do you do work as mixing EMG?
i bought one and i still have to figure out, if its working correct, cause it doesnt destroy your audio... means its so subtile
Super transparent.
What did you have on the vocals before you remove the bypass. Preamp type?
Nothing actually. I did not record the vocals so I can't say what preamp or mic was used.
Escuse me do you know if can I use the channel one with my preamp to record and later use the channel two for inserts for mixing .??( as a plugin)) there are any problem with it???
Yes you can.
@@lightafluident.9950 ok thanks
Nice! What song/artist are used in this video? It is indeed a lovely track 😊
Thanks! Aaron Bowman - Good Question
@@ZedMartyProduction thanks 👍
song name?
I got one of these units and could not get it to stop buzzing. I tried everything, so I sent it back believing it was defective and ordered another one. Guess what...same problem! This cannot be an isolated case. Either way I popped for a Warm Audio unit instead...and guess what...NO NOISE! Thanks for wasting my time ART!
May you indicate this Mic preamp for livestreamings?.
Because, I am building homestudios on games, gospel, Talk Show.
Thank you very much.
Lord bless you.
This is a compressor and can not be used directly with a microphone. You need a dedicated mic preamp before this unit.
I got one of these units and could not get it to stop buzzing. See below. I tried everything, so I sent it back believing it was defective and ordered another one. Guess what...same problem! This cannot be an isolated case. Either way I popped for a Warm Audio unit instead...and guess what...NO NOISE! Thanks for wasting my time ART!
It’s not a tube compressor!!! Tubes are just for amplifier!
It actually is a tube compressor. If you take the tubes out it won't pass signal through. Tubes are in the circuit = tube compressor.
This unit sounds great IMO and the sound is what matters. Remember that.
@@AtTheSourceStudios It's an Opto Compressor driven by Tube Amplifier.....There is no sound because the tubes is what makes the amplifier work , but the compression is done by and Opto element...Duh!
@@freirod5223 I understand. That does not make it not a tube compressor lol duh
@@AtTheSourceStudios According to Art's website, this product is listed as a "Vactrol Based Compressor" and describes the Opto-electrical circuit for doing the gain reduction, therefore not a tube compressor. If you want to label this as a tube unit, the correct term is probably a "Tube Leveling Amplifier" considering it says it on the front of the unit.
@@subtonic24 sure! So let's say it's NOT a tube compressor.... Has nothing to do with how good it sounds. Only helps justify people's purchases of much more expensive compressors lol
I just want to see drums without the reverb
Nice, but I really like Bypass
Is it really that noisy?
What noise?
@@kensmechanicalaffair Right!!! I don't hear any noise. 😂 People say anything.
Which mixer do you have there
Soundcraft GB4
Thanx.
This is no tube compressor.
It is optical.
My pro vla died from a bad solder joint .
$500 down the drain .
Send it to revive audio.
Do you do work as mixing EMG?