ART - Pro MPA & Pro VLA

woods · 13th October 2002, 04:22 AM

Any known consensus on these two units from Applied Research and Technologies? MPA is a 2 rackspace tube preamp. The VLA is a 2 rackspace tube compressor.

Ciao,

Woods

groundcontrol · 13th October 2002, 06:57 AM

Yes!

ART...

Or as Fletcher would put it: "It sucks donkey balls!!!"

NOT jut my $0.02!grggt

Ciao

Jay Kahrs · 13th October 2002, 07:29 AM

The preamp is an interesting effects box. The compressor is usable on some things but not amazing on many. I used to own one and sometimes I actually miss it. I wouldn't pay more then $250 for one though.

AudioGaff · 13th October 2002, 08:10 AM

A.R.T = 1/2 step above Alesis.... It's junk! But then there are a lot of people who like and use this same kind of junk. If your gonna buy crappy gear at least get the cool crap like the old MXR or Ashly that still gets some respect.

Drumsound · 13th October 2002, 08:22 AM

I have both pieces you mentioned. The compressor can be useful in that it thickens the sound a bit and is not very aggressive. The preamp is good to soften things a bit. I just got some very good results using the preamp for room mics (4050 in omni). I don't think they are nearly as bad as some people think.

I also have a Manley VoxBox and a Great River MP2 and Drawmer 1969, so it's not like I've never heard a good preamp.

As jay mentioned the preamp can be a cool effect box. It's great for distorted bass drum!

Logan · 15th October 2002, 01:52 PM

Have agree with Tony, the pre can be very useful as an effect type unit and as an instrument DI. Most synths here end up going through the ART which seems to nicely thicken up their sound. For vocals and accoustic inst., the usefulness is limited. But the other day I put an old timey banjo (which was being used as the chunker on a reggae track) through a 57 into the ART MP and it was perfect. From now on it will always be my first call on Reggae banjo tracks ;-). Take care Logan

wurly · 15th October 2002, 06:55 PM

I like the VLA compresser for live sound especially on bass. I have never been tempted to use it for recording though.

wurly in autumn

Drumsound · 16th October 2002, 07:56 AM

Actually the VLA works well on wile recording Whrlies.

groundcontrol · 16th October 2002, 08:07 AM

I much prefer an 1176 when recording wurly.

wurly · 16th October 2002, 06:40 PM

All this whirling is making me dizzy.

wurly

dannywild · 1st April 2004, 01:01 AM

I've heard the MPA GOLD mic pre through a Shure KSM44 mic and it really sounds very smooth and silky on vocals and acoustic guitar. It has variable impedance so you can color your sound any way you like. I dont know how VLA sounds though. I would like to know if anyone else has any comments they can give about it.

Cornvalley · 1st April 2004, 01:47 AM

Pro MPA was one of the first pres I acquired before I was edumacated by these forums. Since then I've bought some Adams for monitors and put my Genelec 1031s in the tracking room. I slapped the Pro MPA on the control room outs to the speakers and let the pre act as a buffer and warming device. I think it sounds better than the direct outs for what I needed from those speakers in there.

Auxillary · 1st April 2004, 01:57 AM

VLA on drums... fan-****in-tastico. If you're into that whole indie-beat-box style drum stuff (I am.)

PRS1JAZZ · 1st April 2004, 03:05 AM

I use the MPA as a way to warm up my talkback mic.....

Beezoboy · 1st April 2004, 05:56 AM

Hmmm. . . I don;t care for ART pres, but I have heard many great things about the Pro VLA. I got one on eBay for $200 and it turns out it was broken. I just sent it back today. I think J.Hall is a fan of the VLA compresor as well as quite a few people whose opinions I respect. If its as good as an Ashly Sc-50 or Symetrix 501 I'll be happy.

I actually really like my Symetrix 501. It has a really balanced sound and I have gotten some great 1 mic drum sounds out of it. Anyway, if you can wait about 3 weeks I'll be happy to tell you what I think of the Art Pro VLA when i get it back and it is fuly functional.

Beez

Frost · 1st April 2004, 08:10 AM

I feel the mpa is a little too thick and wooly- lacking detail to use on a lot of tracks, but agree it could make a nice effects box on used on just a few tracks. Its cheap and for $250 you arent going to find better. Used on too many tracks and the song is going to mud tho.

I really like the provla a lot. I find its nice on some vocals and really works great on the send return of a guitar amp with an overzealous player. Nice enough on kick and snare, used to even track with a touch on kick and snare. Nothing comes close to this color piece in its price range. However, mine does sit on a shelf a lot now that I own a lot of gear in significantly higher price range.
Frost

doorknocker · 1st April 2004, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woods
Any known consensus on these two units from Applied Research and Technologies? MPA is a 2 rackspace tube preamp. The VLA is a 2 rackspace tube compressor.

Ciao,

Woods

I'd sell you my ART PRO MPA for $200 plus shipping. Pristine condition. PM if you're interested.

Andi

Mantra · 23rd June 2004, 12:47 AM

Hmmmmmm.....interesting......I was talking to Dirk Brauner yesterday and he was raving about this fantastic stereo preamp he'd been using...the ART PRO MPA....tried it on everything but his door knob and got super results all around.....hmmmmmm......

bloodstone · 23rd June 2004, 01:12 PM

It's interesting to see people ripping the VLA when so many "alt" engineer/producers have gone public with how useful they feel the device is. I'd been thinking of getting one for drum overheads to free up my Avalon 747sp for the 2-bus. Hmmmm.........

Alex Specht · 27th February 2008, 03:32 AM

Hello,

Im wondering what the difference is between the old black PRO MPA and MPA GOLD.

I love the sound of the PRO MPA, so Im assuming that the MPA GOLD(which sells for under 300 bucks) uses cheaper quality componenets...

The original PROMPA sold for $600 new... as you guys know, this technology doesnt have any thing to do with MOres Law (some people think even their toilet paper is mores law eligable)

Please advise

river · 27th February 2008, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Gear nut

Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Belgium
Posts: 89

Hmmmmmm.....interesting......I was talking to Dirk Brauner yesterday and he was raving about this fantastic stereo preamp he'd been using...the ART PRO MPA....tried it on everything but his door knob and got super results all around.....hmmmmmm......

Heh

.....I have 3 of them with 50's and 60's vintage NOS tubes rolled into them. I always have other engineers ask me: "What did you use on the vocal chain"? I've recut vocals for clients done through U87 and API or Avalon front end using the ART and lesser known mics to everyone's satisfaction. You just never know sometimes....

judah · 27th February 2008, 09:32 AM

I have a PRO VLA an like it on many different sources. It's a slow compresser (even on its' fast settings, both attack and release) and it does something pleasant on bass, overheads sometimes, some vocals, and even kick drum and snare if you want to mellow them out. It's no SSL buss compressor, it doesn't squish the crap out of audio and if you push it too hard it sounds quite bad to my hears, but along with an RNC (the SM57 of compressors for us low-budgeter) it's a great combo to get a grasp on compression.

blim · 27th February 2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woods

Any known consensus on these two units from Applied Research and Technologies? MPA is a 2 rackspace tube preamp. The VLA is a 2 rackspace tube compressor.

There isn't a better stereo tube compressor for the money than the Pro VLA. (Not that there's a lot of competition in that price range, though.) I would absolutely recommend it to anyone just starting out in recording who doesn't want to spend much money.

guittarzzan · 28th February 2008, 05:54 AM

I've had both of the originals since they first came out and will probably keep. They both are unique and definately a great choice for someone on a budget. I don't know the difference between the originals and the ones out now, but I doubt they can be beat for the money.

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13th October 2002, 04:22 AM	#1
woods Gear addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 300	ART - Pro MPA & Pro VLA Any known consensus on these two units from Applied Research and Technologies? MPA is a 2 rackspace tube preamp. The VLA is a 2 rackspace tube compressor. Ciao, Woods

13th October 2002, 08:10 AM	#4
AudioGaff Gear addict Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 345	A.R.T = 1/2 step above Alesis.... It's junk! But then there are a lot of people who like and use this same kind of junk. If your gonna buy crappy gear at least get the cool crap like the old MXR or Ashly that still gets some respect. __________________ - AudioGaff -

13th October 2002, 08:22 AM	#5
Drumsound Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bloomington Il Posts: 3,597	I have both pieces you mentioned. The compressor can be useful in that it thickens the sound a bit and is not very aggressive. The preamp is good to soften things a bit. I just got some very good results using the preamp for room mics (4050 in omni). I don't think they are nearly as bad as some people think. I also have a Manley VoxBox and a Great River MP2 and Drawmer 1969, so it's not like I've never heard a good preamp. As jay mentioned the preamp can be a cool effect box. It's great for distorted bass drum! __________________ Tony Oxide Lounge Recording See the Oxide Lounge! WWJMD? Come see me on the Tape Op boards! "If I have to flip flop more than three times in an A/B test to figure out what the difference is, I lose interest in that difference.'--Tchad Blake

15th October 2002, 06:55 PM	#7
wurly Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Apple Valley, MN USA Posts: 173	ART VLA compresser I like the VLA compresser for live sound especially on bass. I have never been tempted to use it for recording though. wurly in autumn

13th October 2002, 06:57 AM	#2
groundcontrol Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 504	Yes! ART... Or as Fletcher would put it: "It sucks donkey balls!!!" NOT jut my $0.02!grggt Ciao

15th October 2002, 01:52 PM	#6
Logan Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Elm Tree Ont. Canada Posts: 294	Have agree with Tony, the pre can be very useful as an effect type unit and as an instrument DI. Most synths here end up going through the ART which seems to nicely thicken up their sound. For vocals and accoustic inst., the usefulness is limited. But the other day I put an old timey banjo (which was being used as the chunker on a reggae track) through a 57 into the ART MP and it was perfect. From now on it will always be my first call on Reggae banjo tracks ;-). Take care Logan

16th October 2002, 07:56 AM	#8
Drumsound Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bloomington Il Posts: 3,597	Actually the VLA works well on wile recording Whrlies. __________________ Tony Oxide Lounge Recording See the Oxide Lounge! WWJMD? Come see me on the Tape Op boards! "If I have to flip flop more than three times in an A/B test to figure out what the difference is, I lose interest in that difference.'--Tchad Blake

16th October 2002, 08:07 AM	#9
groundcontrol Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 504	I much prefer an 1176 when recording wurly.

16th October 2002, 06:40 PM	#10
wurly Gear maniac Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Apple Valley, MN USA Posts: 173	spin me All this whirling is making me dizzy. wurly

1st April 2004, 01:01 AM	#11
dannywild Gear nut Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 80	I've heard the MPA GOLD mic pre through a Shure KSM44 mic and it really sounds very smooth and silky on vocals and acoustic guitar. It has variable impedance so you can color your sound any way you like. I dont know how VLA sounds though. I would like to know if anyone else has any comments they can give about it.

1st April 2004, 01:47 AM	#12
Cornvalley Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Woodland Hiils, CA Posts: 347	Pro MPA was one of the first pres I acquired before I was edumacated by these forums. Since then I've bought some Adams for monitors and put my Genelec 1031s in the tracking room. I slapped the Pro MPA on the control room outs to the speakers and let the pre act as a buffer and warming device. I think it sounds better than the direct outs for what I needed from those speakers in there.

1st April 2004, 01:57 AM	#13
Auxillary Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Pete Posts: 152	VLA on drums... fan-****in-tastico. If you're into that whole indie-beat-box style drum stuff (I am.) __________________ the city has sex with itself i suppose as the concrete collides, the scenery grows

1st April 2004, 03:05 AM	#14
PRS1JAZZ Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 902	I use the MPA as a way to warm up my talkback mic..... __________________ Earthworks Slut, and Vendor ! And I put a Chaffing 5 post eq on the Choadometer. I loosened the meat wallet meter 2 db's on the jizload compressor and tipped the blond coiffer gig cut to an even feeder knob...

1st April 2004, 05:56 AM	#15
Beezoboy Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 490	Hmmm. . . I don;t care for ART pres, but I have heard many great things about the Pro VLA. I got one on eBay for $200 and it turns out it was broken. I just sent it back today. I think J.Hall is a fan of the VLA compresor as well as quite a few people whose opinions I respect. If its as good as an Ashly Sc-50 or Symetrix 501 I'll be happy. I actually really like my Symetrix 501. It has a really balanced sound and I have gotten some great 1 mic drum sounds out of it. Anyway, if you can wait about 3 weeks I'll be happy to tell you what I think of the Art Pro VLA when i get it back and it is fuly functional. Beez

1st April 2004, 08:10 AM	#16
Frost Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 479	I feel the mpa is a little too thick and wooly- lacking detail to use on a lot of tracks, but agree it could make a nice effects box on used on just a few tracks. Its cheap and for $250 you arent going to find better. Used on too many tracks and the song is going to mud tho. I really like the provla a lot. I find its nice on some vocals and really works great on the send return of a guitar amp with an overzealous player. Nice enough on kick and snare, used to even track with a touch on kick and snare. Nothing comes close to this color piece in its price range. However, mine does sit on a shelf a lot now that I own a lot of gear in significantly higher price range. Frost

23rd June 2004, 12:47 AM	#18
Mantra Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Belgium Posts: 89	Hmmmmmm.....interesting......I was talking to Dirk Brauner yesterday and he was raving about this fantastic stereo preamp he'd been using...the ART PRO MPA....tried it on everything but his door knob and got super results all around.....hmmmmmm......

23rd June 2004, 01:12 PM	#19
bloodstone Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 658	Pro VLA It's interesting to see people ripping the VLA when so many "alt" engineer/producers have gone public with how useful they feel the device is. I'd been thinking of getting one for drum overheads to free up my Avalon 747sp for the 2-bus. Hmmmm.........

27th February 2008, 03:32 AM	#20
Alex Specht Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 323	ART PRO MPA vs. MPA GOLD Hello, Im wondering what the difference is between the old black PRO MPA and MPA GOLD. I love the sound of the PRO MPA, so Im assuming that the MPA GOLD(which sells for under 300 bucks) uses cheaper quality componenets... The original PROMPA sold for $600 new... as you guys know, this technology doesnt have any thing to do with MOres Law (some people think even their toilet paper is mores law eligable) Please advise

27th February 2008, 09:32 AM	#22
judah Gear maniac Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Little Foxy Coast Posts: 278	I have a PRO VLA an like it on many different sources. It's a slow compresser (even on its' fast settings, both attack and release) and it does something pleasant on bass, overheads sometimes, some vocals, and even kick drum and snare if you want to mellow them out. It's no SSL buss compressor, it doesn't squish the crap out of audio and if you push it too hard it sounds quite bad to my hears, but along with an RNC (the SM57 of compressors for us low-budgeter) it's a great combo to get a grasp on compression.

28th February 2008, 05:54 AM	#24
guittarzzan Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 605	I've had both of the originals since they first came out and will probably keep. They both are unique and definately a great choice for someone on a budget. I don't know the difference between the originals and the ones out now, but I doubt they can be beat for the money.

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