ART pro vla II - Page 3

Big Ale · 28th May 2008, 10:41 AM

the first one was good, looking forward to hear what people have to say about the new one

Mertmo2 · 28th May 2008, 05:43 PM

Guys, I have to chime in on the whole Version I "chinese vs. american" thing...

Totally blown out of proportion by the internet. I have seen, on this forum over the past few years, both versions described every which way you can imagine. The american one is supposed to be thinner, colder than the chinese. Oh wait, it's the other way around!
It changes from thread to thread. Originally the american version was the one to have, and the chinese one was supposed to have less color/character. Now all the sudden the chinese one has the character and the american one is out of favor.

Guys, this is all NONSENSE. Yes, I'm sure that if you could A/B them in real time you would hear some differences. But hell, they have put all kinds of tubes in them over the years, and I guarantee that difference will be bigger than "american vs chinese"!

This just rubs me the wrong way, because it is so obviously internet folklore. You have all changed your minds seven times about this very subject already!!! And I can't recall a single thread where someone actually tried a proper or even HALF proper A/B test!!!
Please, let the chinese vs. american argument die, it's all a bunch of talk about nothing. (or else show me the A/B thread with samples, and I will shut up.)

The VLA is what it is, chinese or american. Clean, invisible-ish compression quality, while the sound of the box itself is silky analog with a tiny bit of euphonic character.
End of story.
Now back to talking about the new one...

apfEID · 28th May 2008, 08:21 PM

Thank you for that bit of demystifying.

I'm probably going over to a friends house sometime this week to check his VLA v1 out; having re-evaluated my bank account, it looks like I won't be buying an analog comp for at least a month or two anyway.

adathead 53 · 29th May 2008, 12:45 AM

Just got my Pro VLA (old version) yesterday. Got one of the last 3 Musician's Friend had for $199. Last night I ran my vocal chain through it. I agree totally with MERTMO2, this thing is clean and silky. Tonight I'll be trying it on acoustic guitar and if the results are the same, those 2 RNC's are gonna be outta here.

Mertmo2 · 29th May 2008, 03:56 AM

adathead, it rocks on acoustic! That's one of it's strong suits IMO. For me, it's a go-to for acoustic gtr, kick and snare, mixbuss. For me it always loses on vocals, but then I'm a huge fan of the 163x for that, or my 501. VLA always seems a little too invisible to me for vox. I think that's a case of me just liking the sound of VCA compression.

My cranky post makes me think... I should do the A/B test and post the results. I have one of the last american ones and my buddy has one of the chinese ones. Hmmm... not promising when, but I think I will do that test actually.

Brad McGowan · 29th May 2008, 04:36 AM

+1 on acoustic and snare

Brad

elektrovolt · 29th May 2008, 10:47 AM

hmmm... so stupid I sold my VLA 6 moths ago...

there were only a few things I didn't like:
attack and release - only two settings, and sometimes too slow for my taste.
sound is sometimes a bit damped, like the high end is just a little muffled (although it did a good thing on tape noise reduction ! )

maybe it is worth to do a high voltage tube mod. on my MPA gold preamp the high setting has just the right sound so it could be working on the VLA too...

TurboJets · 29th May 2008, 04:17 PM

electrovolt, if you want more clarity in the high's try rolling in a pair of Tesla/JJ 12AX7's. They give you a nice hi-fi clarity that far surpasses their price-point. Mullards IMO can also add a little excitement on your high's and even be a little "wooly" and JAN Philips 12AT7's are incredible in the vla. I love my vla and one of the reasons for that is ART made it so easy to roll in a new pair of tubes. Different tube = different EQ curve, timber, feel, etc.

Aspen Pittman summed it up best when he described tubes as "the original plug-in".

elektrovolt · 29th May 2008, 05:46 PM

TJ,

I tried the JJecc803s in the VLA, they are my favourite, for sure !
but not in the VLA, it didn't make a difference, only most of the noise was gone (EHX are noisy as hell). I am sure it has something to do with the tube voltage.

the MPA gold pre has a switch to select low or high voltage. on the low setting, it slightly dulls, just the way the VLA does. on the high setting, it is much more sensitive and nice top end.

Mertmo2 · 29th May 2008, 08:09 PM

Funny, my VLA actually adds hi end, sometimes I don't use it just because of that. I'm sure the difference is in tubes. The ones in mine are still stock, and they are a brand I had never heard of. Unfortunately I can't remember what they were... What's a good tube choice that will still be hi-fi but maybe a little more aggressive/punchy...? I find the VLA a bit too nice for me some of the time, it would be cool if it had a tiny bit more attitude. Which tube am I looking for?

TurboJets · 29th May 2008, 10:11 PM

I hear a lot of attitude from the JAN Philips 12AT7's - mids get really aggressive making the signal sound more "excited"; especially when you start moving the Output past +4.

I also like Yugoslavian EI's (Ei). They can be a little edgy, a little hairy - helping the instrument cut through the mix a little.

peeder · 29th May 2008, 10:18 PM

I use JAN/Philips 12AT7s with my Chinese v.1.

adathead 53 · 30th May 2008, 12:23 AM

My Jan/Phillips 12AT7's got here today (cause I always value Peeder's opinions). I'll probably drop them in tonight and report back on the differences from stock. By the way, there will be a pair of RNC's in a Funk Logic rack in the classifieds tonight. Different strokes for different folks. I love that opto sound myself.

Mertmo2 · 31st May 2008, 01:38 AM

Jan/Phillips 12AT7's it is...

Thanks.

peeder · 31st May 2008, 01:47 AM

Well don't take my word as gospel. They aren't as fat and colored as the stock Sovteks (rebranded as EH). They are more hifi with a bit of vintage twinge. I think as your tastes mature you will much prefer them to the Sovteks but initially you might wonder where that fat bassiness etc. went.

I didn't try Mullards or other tubes. The Philips were all I needed.

Mertmo2 · 31st May 2008, 07:29 AM

Peeder, who says my tastes haven't matured already? That's kind of a weird thing to say...

I wasn't just taking your word for it, there were three posts in a row that said the same thing so I think I will try the JAN/PHILLIPS. The tubes that are in mine are not sovteks, I can't remember what they are, but I had never heard of the brand before. I actually tried sovteks one time and they were not as rich and hi-fi as what was in there, so I put the originals back. I am not a fan of sovteks in outboard gear, I think they are grainy and sort of cardboard-y sounding.

Anyway, sorry for helping to derail this thread into yet another discussion about the version one VLA and tubes. Hopefully we can get back to talking about the new one!

peeder · 31st May 2008, 07:33 AM

I wasn't really directing the post at you I was just saying in general...

espen askelad · 31st May 2008, 07:41 AM

Having mixed a few projects with it, I'm pretty happy with the VLA-II. It's getting used alongside compressors almost 10x its price and no complaints. Occasional guitar bus or stereo drum room part, backing vocal bus... quite nice. Livens up nicely as the output goes up.

sleeps · 31st May 2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdog

Its not horrible. I think if you modded it it MIGHT be OK for pro use.

Fantastic compressor, especially for acoustic guitars ... in any price range. I have the original Pro VLA. I did put new tubes in it (a $40 "mod"). It is in "pro use" nearly every day. To each his own!

ForgottenG · 1st June 2008, 02:17 AM

I have the original VLA. I switched out the tubes with some Groove Tubes 12AX7's (Russian) and I thought it was a little noisy so I ordered the JAN's. I am hoping the AT7's will be a more appropriate fit. I picked up the Pro VLA and PRO MPA for $250 so I was Happy. Oh yeah and the MPA already had a pair of GE tubes in it although I am not sure which Tube they were. I left them and am still trying to learn the characteristics. Over all for 250 bones It is Very useable.

montanasan · 2nd June 2008, 12:57 PM

I was thinking of buying either the Art VLAII or saving a bit more for the CL 7720. I'm not comparing the two but I'm wondering which will best compliment my LA4's, Avalon 737sp and my Summit TLA-50's? Any thoughts?

retractablezing · 2nd June 2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montanasan

I was thinking of buying either the Art VLAII or saving a bit more for the CL 7720. I'm not comparing the two but I'm wondering which will best compliment my LA4's, Avalon 737sp and my Summit TLA-50's? Any thoughts?

i would doubt you need one if you have pair of tla's, unless you want something relatively close and can't free those two out of their usual aplications.

Benmrx · 2nd June 2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montanasan

I was thinking of buying either the Art VLAII or saving a bit more for the CL 7720. I'm not comparing the two but I'm wondering which will best compliment my LA4's, Avalon 737sp and my Summit TLA-50's? Any thoughts?

I don't have any of the comps on your list (do have a Manley Elop, DVC, (2) Distressors, 1176, (2) 160X's, (2) 7110's, and a few others), but I do have a VLA mkI and the CL 7720, and if I had to choose just one, I'd keep the 7720.

montanasan · 2nd June 2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benmrx

I don't have any of the comps on your list (do have a Manley Elop, DVC, (2) Distressors, 1176, (2) 160X's, (2) 7110's, and a few others), but I do have a VLA mkI and the CL 7720, and if I had to choose just one, I'd keep the 7720.

Thanks for the replies guys. Any specific reason for choosing the 7720 over the Art?

retractablezing · 2nd June 2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montanasan

Thanks for the replies guys. Any specific reason for choosing the 7720 over the Art?

cause you have the entry level valve department covered (with something a tad better too).

peeder · 2nd June 2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montanasan

I was thinking of buying either the Art VLAII or saving a bit more for the CL 7720. I'm not comparing the two but I'm wondering which will best compliment my LA4's, Avalon 737sp and my Summit TLA-50's? Any thoughts?

You already have a tube comp, and you could use the stereo clean comp 7720. But the Art is so cheap you may as well get it too. It would be a bit redundant with that particular list though.

Claude G. · 4th June 2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeder

I use JAN/Philips 12AT7s with my Chinese v.1.

Peeder: I too have the Chinese version and I love it. I put two EI (Gold Pin ) tubes and they improved the "stock tubes." But, based on all the info here, I just ordered two Black Sable Jan/Philips 12AT7s..is that what you have? Or is Black Sable something else...?

peeder · 4th June 2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claude G.

Peeder: I too have the Chinese version and I love it. I put two EI (Gold Pin ) tubes and they improved the "stock tubes." But, based on all the info here, I just ordered two Black Sable Jan/Philips 12AT7s..is that what you have? Or is Black Sable something else...?

I don't know what Black Sable is. Other than a furry animal. I am not the world authority on tubes.

kragg · 4th June 2008, 09:42 PM

Hi
Would anyone have an audio sample of wet/dry processing on some beats ?

colnbishop · 11th June 2008, 12:48 AM

Hi,

Sorry this is a bit off topic but applies to the VLA I & II:

If I send a lower input signal to a PRO VLA thus requiring to turn the output gain knob up more will this give me a more valvey tone or would it be better to drive the unit hard at input (using less gain) to obtain more of the nice colour everyone talks about?

any advice appreciated.

thanks

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28th May 2008, 10:41 AM	#61
Big Ale Gear nut Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 110	was good the first one was good, looking forward to hear what people have to say about the new one

29th May 2008, 04:36 AM	#66
Brad McGowan Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,815	+1 on acoustic and snare Brad __________________ Little Red Wagon Studios http://www.myspace.com/lrws How to integrate your analog tape deck with your DAW: http://www.youtube.com/user/redwagonstudio http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fusea...deoid=40930870

29th May 2008, 10:47 AM	#67
elektrovolt Gear Head Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: den haag, NL Posts: 44	hmmm... so stupid I sold my VLA 6 moths ago... there were only a few things I didn't like: attack and release - only two settings, and sometimes too slow for my taste. sound is sometimes a bit damped, like the high end is just a little muffled (although it did a good thing on tape noise reduction ! ) maybe it is worth to do a high voltage tube mod. on my MPA gold preamp the high setting has just the right sound so it could be working on the VLA too... __________________ http://www.myspace.com/elektrovolt

29th May 2008, 05:46 PM	#69
elektrovolt Gear Head Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: den haag, NL Posts: 44	TJ, I tried the JJecc803s in the VLA, they are my favourite, for sure ! but not in the VLA, it didn't make a difference, only most of the noise was gone (EHX are noisy as hell). I am sure it has something to do with the tube voltage. the MPA gold pre has a switch to select low or high voltage. on the low setting, it slightly dulls, just the way the VLA does. on the high setting, it is much more sensitive and nice top end. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/elektrovolt

28th May 2008, 05:43 PM	#62
Mertmo2 Gear maniac Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 244	Guys, I have to chime in on the whole Version I "chinese vs. american" thing... Totally blown out of proportion by the internet. I have seen, on this forum over the past few years, both versions described every which way you can imagine. The american one is supposed to be thinner, colder than the chinese. Oh wait, it's the other way around! It changes from thread to thread. Originally the american version was the one to have, and the chinese one was supposed to have less color/character. Now all the sudden the chinese one has the character and the american one is out of favor. Guys, this is all NONSENSE. Yes, I'm sure that if you could A/B them in real time you would hear some differences. But hell, they have put all kinds of tubes in them over the years, and I guarantee that difference will be bigger than "american vs chinese"! This just rubs me the wrong way, because it is so obviously internet folklore. You have all changed your minds seven times about this very subject already!!! And I can't recall a single thread where someone actually tried a proper or even HALF proper A/B test!!! Please, let the chinese vs. american argument die, it's all a bunch of talk about nothing. (or else show me the A/B thread with samples, and I will shut up.) The VLA is what it is, chinese or american. Clean, invisible-ish compression quality, while the sound of the box itself is silky analog with a tiny bit of euphonic character. End of story. Now back to talking about the new one...

28th May 2008, 08:21 PM	#63
apfEID Gear interested Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kearny, NJ Posts: 25	Thank you for that bit of demystifying. I'm probably going over to a friends house sometime this week to check his VLA v1 out; having re-evaluated my bank account, it looks like I won't be buying an analog comp for at least a month or two anyway.

29th May 2008, 12:45 AM	#64
adathead 53 Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 128	Just got my Pro VLA (old version) yesterday. Got one of the last 3 Musician's Friend had for $199. Last night I ran my vocal chain through it. I agree totally with MERTMO2, this thing is clean and silky. Tonight I'll be trying it on acoustic guitar and if the results are the same, those 2 RNC's are gonna be outta here.

29th May 2008, 03:56 AM	#65
Mertmo2 Gear maniac Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 244	adathead, it rocks on acoustic! That's one of it's strong suits IMO. For me, it's a go-to for acoustic gtr, kick and snare, mixbuss. For me it always loses on vocals, but then I'm a huge fan of the 163x for that, or my 501. VLA always seems a little too invisible to me for vox. I think that's a case of me just liking the sound of VCA compression. My cranky post makes me think... I should do the A/B test and post the results. I have one of the last american ones and my buddy has one of the chinese ones. Hmmm... not promising when, but I think I will do that test actually.

29th May 2008, 04:17 PM	#68
TurboJets Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 174	electrovolt, if you want more clarity in the high's try rolling in a pair of Tesla/JJ 12AX7's. They give you a nice hi-fi clarity that far surpasses their price-point. Mullards IMO can also add a little excitement on your high's and even be a little "wooly" and JAN Philips 12AT7's are incredible in the vla. I love my vla and one of the reasons for that is ART made it so easy to roll in a new pair of tubes. Different tube = different EQ curve, timber, feel, etc. Aspen Pittman summed it up best when he described tubes as "the original plug-in".

29th May 2008, 08:09 PM	#70
Mertmo2 Gear maniac Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 244	Funny, my VLA actually adds hi end, sometimes I don't use it just because of that. I'm sure the difference is in tubes. The ones in mine are still stock, and they are a brand I had never heard of. Unfortunately I can't remember what they were... What's a good tube choice that will still be hi-fi but maybe a little more aggressive/punchy...? I find the VLA a bit too nice for me some of the time, it would be cool if it had a tiny bit more attitude. Which tube am I looking for?

29th May 2008, 10:11 PM	#71
TurboJets Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 174	I hear a lot of attitude from the JAN Philips 12AT7's - mids get really aggressive making the signal sound more "excited"; especially when you start moving the Output past +4. I also like Yugoslavian EI's (Ei). They can be a little edgy, a little hairy - helping the instrument cut through the mix a little.

29th May 2008, 10:18 PM	#72
peeder Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Working on my skills more =) Posts: 6,071	I use JAN/Philips 12AT7s with my Chinese v.1.

30th May 2008, 12:23 AM	#73
adathead 53 Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 128	My Jan/Phillips 12AT7's got here today (cause I always value Peeder's opinions). I'll probably drop them in tonight and report back on the differences from stock. By the way, there will be a pair of RNC's in a Funk Logic rack in the classifieds tonight. Different strokes for different folks. I love that opto sound myself.

31st May 2008, 01:38 AM	#74
Mertmo2 Gear maniac Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 244	Jan/Phillips 12AT7's it is... Thanks.

31st May 2008, 01:47 AM	#75
peeder Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Working on my skills more =) Posts: 6,071	Well don't take my word as gospel. They aren't as fat and colored as the stock Sovteks (rebranded as EH). They are more hifi with a bit of vintage twinge. I think as your tastes mature you will much prefer them to the Sovteks but initially you might wonder where that fat bassiness etc. went. I didn't try Mullards or other tubes. The Philips were all I needed.

31st May 2008, 07:29 AM	#76
Mertmo2 Gear maniac Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 244	Peeder, who says my tastes haven't matured already? That's kind of a weird thing to say... I wasn't just taking your word for it, there were three posts in a row that said the same thing so I think I will try the JAN/PHILLIPS. The tubes that are in mine are not sovteks, I can't remember what they are, but I had never heard of the brand before. I actually tried sovteks one time and they were not as rich and hi-fi as what was in there, so I put the originals back. I am not a fan of sovteks in outboard gear, I think they are grainy and sort of cardboard-y sounding. Anyway, sorry for helping to derail this thread into yet another discussion about the version one VLA and tubes. Hopefully we can get back to talking about the new one!

31st May 2008, 07:33 AM	#77
peeder Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Working on my skills more =) Posts: 6,071	I wasn't really directing the post at you I was just saying in general...

31st May 2008, 07:41 AM	#78
espen askelad Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 430	Having mixed a few projects with it, I'm pretty happy with the VLA-II. It's getting used alongside compressors almost 10x its price and no complaints. Occasional guitar bus or stereo drum room part, backing vocal bus... quite nice. Livens up nicely as the output goes up.

1st June 2008, 02:17 AM	#80
ForgottenG Gear Head Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 56	I have the original VLA. I switched out the tubes with some Groove Tubes 12AX7's (Russian) and I thought it was a little noisy so I ordered the JAN's. I am hoping the AT7's will be a more appropriate fit. I picked up the Pro VLA and PRO MPA for $250 so I was Happy. Oh yeah and the MPA already had a pair of GE tubes in it although I am not sure which Tube they were. I left them and am still trying to learn the characteristics. Over all for 250 bones It is Very useable.

2nd June 2008, 12:57 PM	#81
montanasan Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Coast of Scotland Posts: 253	I was thinking of buying either the Art VLAII or saving a bit more for the CL 7720. I'm not comparing the two but I'm wondering which will best compliment my LA4's, Avalon 737sp and my Summit TLA-50's? Any thoughts?

4th June 2008, 09:42 PM	#89
kragg Gear Head Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: fr Posts: 42	Hi Would anyone have an audio sample of wet/dry processing on some beats ?

11th June 2008, 12:48 AM	#90
colnbishop Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1	Art Pro Vla Valve Drive Hi, Sorry this is a bit off topic but applies to the VLA I & II: If I send a lower input signal to a PRO VLA thus requiring to turn the output gain knob up more will this give me a more valvey tone or would it be better to drive the unit hard at input (using less gain) to obtain more of the nice colour everyone talks about? any advice appreciated. thanks

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