Art Pro VLA

[mamm7215]

Yeah, you'll get people here who like 'em and some who don't but I love mine. I've got it after an ART MPA GOLD, both units with new JJ tubes and they rock. I use I channel for vocals and the second for bass. I've got a SP C-1, too, is yours the new one? I've heard it sounds a little different than the older one (mine). Very underrated boxes, the VLA and MPA.

[Phrygian]

I like my VLA, but I don't think I've ever commited it to a track yet. I'll use it as an insert when tracking and always end up re-routing the original track to my Distressor. The VLA's very good for the money though.

[drycounty]

Does anyone else have a hard time describing exactly what the VLA does? It's unlike any other compressor that I own and I love it but I have a really hard time describing it. Mainly due to the fact that of all the compressors I own, this one has the least amount of color. It's great to send entire mixes through and add a touch of "it" to everything.

I used to have my computer run through a Firepod as well, and I would run MP3s through it -- made some things sound amazing, some not, but I almost wanted to permanently add it to my stereo.

[mamm7215]

I'm not really sure, maybe something to do with the "Vactrol" circuitry. It's an opto-compressor, not VCA, more soft-knee than hard I think, and you can really hit the ratio hard without it "sounding" like it's doing much, but it is. I think it's that subtlety that makes it, compressing without sounding like you're compressing.

[elektrovolt]

it makes my drums more present in the mix, especially for live purposes. you can make it sound 'squashy' but I don't think that is it's strength.

it is quita a mellow, slow compressor but really useful for some things, like drums, vocals and acoustic instruments.