ART PRO VLA vs. Compressor inside AVALON 737

[kmade]

First of all IM THE LEAST QUILIFED PERSON TO ANSWER BUT I DO OWN BOTH 737 VLA AND RNC I REALLEY TRHINK I LIKE RNC BEST BUT JUST BOUGHT THE VLA AND FOR THE PRICE IT SEEMS TO BE NICE ALSO I AGREE ON THE 737 COMP ALSO ALL THIS DEPENDS ONWHAT YOU USE IT FOR DIFFERENT COMPS DO DIFFERENT THINGS HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTLE

[Gonzalez]

Thanx for your reply kmade.

So, would you say VLA and RNC are more usable than 737 compressor?
I really can´t find a use for the 737 comp. Not bad with acoustic guitar, but for me any cheap software compressor works better.

VLA, RNC vs. 737 comp vs. soft comps ,pros and cons ...

[Metatone]

I've never used software compressors so I can't comment on that...but

as for the other three...I've used the 737 comp a tiny bit on the occasional vocal and acoustic guitar a couple of times. Not great, IMO, but a few times it seemed to be better with it than without it. Note, this was at very low settings...just barely touching it. The babyface mod is said to improve it...one day I may do it.

I've got a couple of RNC's that I use a fair bit, even now that I've got some higher end compressors. Great deal for the money, I think. Ditto for the RNLA...

I picked up a Pro VLA at a major discount a few months ago. I still haven't found a use for it but I'm planning to swap tubes and check out this upcoming mod (Black Lion?).

I'd vote for the RNC of the choices you've listed. Or maybe a used dbx 160...I've got the XT and I like it!

[scotty-o]

Originally Posted by Metatone

I picked up a Pro VLA at a major discount a few months ago. I still haven't found a use for it but I'm planning to swap tubes and check out this upcoming mod (Black Lion?).

Give it a try across a drum bus. I like it quite a bit there.

-Scotty

[jspartz]

I replaced the opamps in mine plus dropped in a couple different tubes. I think it was worth the upgrade. It did not "wow" me before. Now it has more of a "sheen" to it that I like. I am still getting to know this unit so take that for what it is worth. The sound of compression has been something I've been trying to get a better handle on.

Jason

[Beezoboy]

I think the VLA does nice on bass, parallel guitar buss, and vox. I have even used it on the mix buss and had good results with heavier styles of music. It really has a good lowend for the most part. I do find that the highs go away with higher compression settings, but for a good deal of sources like bass and parallel guitar buss stuff this is ok. It isn't a very "fast" compressor and lacks attack and release settings. So for me, it rarely gets used on kick and snare or drum buss.

I think if you have a lot of highend compressors laying around, this compressor may not seem like a standout. However, if you are like me and have some micro-limiters, an Ashly SC-52, a Joemeek C2, and a MXR Dual Limiter, you'll certainly be able to find a use for a VLA.

To me among the lower model compressors, this thing is one of the best.

Beez

[Teacher]

get yourself a nice s/w compressor package like the UAD-, URS, Sonalksis, waves etc. The best cheap compressor IMHO is S/W and you get as many instancies as you want!

[Gonzalez]

Thank you Teacher but until now I have been using software compressors and the reason of this threat is to leave the soft and begin with the hardware.
I thought 2x Avalon 737sp (4000$) was worth for the price but I must say I was wrong.
The compressor is almost unuseable. For the price, A better choice would be a good stereo preamp (2000$) and a stereo compressor (2000$). Eq could wait.
But now I´ve got 2 737 and I´m looking for a decent cheap (less 1000$)compressor.
Thank you anyway.

[whitepapagold]

I owned a 737 for years and never liked the compressor either. I did hear a fellow slut say, though, he liked its subtle quality when used in conjunction with another compressor (one that has heavier compression) . You may find you love them if there is another compressor doing the heavy work- I never tried it myself. Hopefully it works and you will find a great combination since you already own the avalons. I did like the eq though-the 32k was nice plus the DI.