ART Pro VLA users: discuss strengths and settings

[PlugHead]

Hey All,

I bought one this weekend, and threw some various stuff at it yesterday (acoustic guitar/voice/ 2mix/etc.) and was grooving on it - soft, pillowy compression seems to be it's strongest suit (in my limited time so far). It'd totally fit for some tracking duties, and I'll experiment more when I get some talent on the floor instead of me running back and forth playing/tweaking/playing/tweaking!

So, in a possible mix setting, what are your fave settings for various styles (i.e. Jazz/rock/ballad/etc)? I know it's subjective and all, but wondering if folks using this unit have some knowledge to share?

Thanks, thumbsup

[popmann]

I think it excels at kick drum...and electric guitars.

I have an LA610 and a La3a(vintage) here...the VLA still gets used a LOT on those two sources.

I find it causes a bit of upper mid presence--which really helps guitar tracks that are a little "flat" sounding--either from cheaper preamps or digital modellers.

[vespiz]

If I feel like it, I use it while tracking vocals and/or bass. It'll probably see more action when I get around to buying a new mixer.
I changed the tubes inside for JAN 12ax7s, just for the heck of it and there was a slight improvement (that even I could hear )

[chris carter]

I use it a lot on vox and bass. For vox tracking I'm typically 3:1 with slow attack and fast release. It's seems rather bulletproof at that setting. This is always in anticipation of a little more compression at mixdown. I'll use it the same way at mixdown and maybe a harder ratio and lower threshold if it's rock. But oftne I'll use an additional compressor after it at mixdown.

For bass, if I want a punchy rock sound I'll use 5 or 6 to 1 with slow attack and fast release and clobber the signal. If I'm doing more urban/r&b/hip-hop type I will use betwen 4 and 6 to 1 with fast attack and fast release and take off a little less.

It's a very forgiving compressor - great for tracking.

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by chris carter

I use it a lot on vox and bass. For vox tracking I'm typically 3:1 with slow attack and fast release. It's seems rather bulletproof at that setting. This is always in anticipation of a little more compression at mixdown. I'll use it the same way at mixdown and maybe a harder ratio and lower threshold if it's rock. But oftne I'll use an additional compressor after it at mixdown.

For bass, if I want a punchy rock sound I'll use 5 or 6 to 1 with slow attack and fast release and clobber the signal. If I'm doing more urban/r&b/hip-hop type I will use betwen 4 and 6 to 1 with fast attack and fast release and take off a little less.

It's a very forgiving compressor - great for tracking.

Great info - seems unanimous props re: kick, bass, and voice tracking. I've never been one for compressing much during tracking - mostly 'cos I don't often do 'cock'n ballz' rock, and if I use comps at all during tracking, it's mostly as a limiter.

That said, I'm interested in finding out if others use this unit as a light (i.e. not BANGIN!!!) compressor at mixdown. I know this isn't a "swiss army knife" unit, or expect it to unseat the many other way more expensive boxes, but if anyone's had success with it, pls. chime in: I'm all ears!

Still playing with it ATM - maybe 'll end up answering my own questions soon enough!?!

[rico52]

[QUOTE=PlugHead;184545

That said, I'm interested in finding out if others use this unit as a light (i.e. not BANGIN!!!) compressor at mixdown. I know this isn't a "swiss army knife" unit, or expect it to unseat the many other way more expensive boxes, but if anyone's had success with it, pls. chime in: I'm all ears!
[/QUOTE]

Yeah..............I use It on OH's and another as a "light" compressor on mixdown.
It works for me but I can't really afford really expensive gear nor can I justify it for what is basically my recording hobby. Not very slutty but that's reality!!!!!!!!!

[kozsak]

I have used my VLA with good results on final mixes. It worked well with "acoustic" type songs and sounded very natural and musical. In fact many times I would use it in the stereo bus in bypass mode. It doesn't really "compress" the signal but added some "glue" to the overall signal-hard to explain. It just fattens it up a bit. On the other hand, it will leave a footprint on the overall mix. Not a bad thing, per se...
I especially like to use maybe a 2:1 or 3:1 ration on vox, acoustic guitar, drums, OH's, electric guitar, bass, even synth. I really like the VLA.
It's not great at squashing a mix for, say, Death Metal, or similar but it is one hell of a musical piece of gear. New/high quality tubes makes a big difference. Most ART stuff sounds kinda muffled to me, but the VLA is special and has "Mojo"...

[Farm sounds]

A jumper cable can be run from channel A to B- overdriving channel B in the process. Just crank the output on channel A. Another flavor if you should so desire...