ART Pro Audio

2-Channel Vactrol/Tube Leveler Compressor

SKU: # 293543   |   Model: # PROVLAII   |    Product Reviews6 Reviews  Write a Review

2-Channel Vactrol/Tube Leveler Compressor

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2-Channel Vactrol/Tube Leveler Compressor
2-Channel Vactrol/Tube Leveler Compressor
Your Price: $429.00 CDN
or from $45 CDN/mo

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The ProVLA II is a tube driven Vactrol-based Compressor / Leveling amplifier designed to excel in any professional audio environment. Superior performance and an incredible tone makes the ProVLA II and indispensable tool for tracking, mixing, mastering, dynamic control of live sound sources or for use in broadcast audio.

Capable of delivering a far more musical natural sounding and sonically transparent compression than competitive units in its class, the ProVLA II uses an Opto-electronic circuit rather than the more typical design VCA driven level detection circuit. This VCA-less design coupled with a 12AT7 vacuum tube in the gain stage makes the Pro-VLA II the ideal dynamic control device for critical audio applications.

Exceptional signal integrity with extremely low noise and low distortion is achieved in the ProVLA II by utilizing a transformerless design throughout.

Vactrol Technology
Unlike typical compression units that use Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (VCA's) to handle level detection, the Pro VLA II's Opto-electronic design allows a far more transparent and musical sounding compression without sounding aggressive or un-natural. This Vactrol based optical electronic circuitry is the basic component of the classic highly sought after compressors of past.

Vactrol design allows the ProVLA II to react to audio signal in much the same way the eye naturally adjusts to fluctuations in light levels - smoothly, quietly and almost imperceptibly.

Soft Knee Leveling
The ProVLA II is a soft knee leveling amplifier by design. Although capable of providing dramatic compression effects, the ProVLA II was designed to excel in any application where transparent, expressively musical dynamics control is desired.

Comprehensive Metering
Large highly visible backlit analog VU meters accurately display input and output levels while extremely fast 10-segment LED's display gain reduction. For added functionality, the LED's display either average level for mastering & mixing applications or peak hold for monitoring individual sources when tracking audio.

Versatile I/O
XLR and 1/4-inch TRS balanced inputs and outputs are provided to ensure the ProVLA II can connect with any audio source or hardware. A +4dBu/-10dBu mode switch optimizes ProVLA II I/O for either consumer or professional equipment.

Features
• VCA-Less Vactrol Opto-Compression Design
• Mastering Quality Audio Signal Path with Tube Gain Stage
• Enhanced Link Mode - While in stereo link mode, channel 1 level control acts as a master output level and channel 2 becomes a balance control between them, - optimizing the Pro-VLA II for use as a mastering tool
• Variable Threshold, Ratio & Output Controls
• LED Backlit VU Input/Output Level Metering
• LED Metering Indicates Both Average Level And Peak Hold
• Accurate Ten Segment LED Gain Reduction Metering
• +4dBu/-10dBu Mode Switch Optimizes Pro-VLA II For Interface with Professional OR Consumer Grade Components
• Active Balanced XLR And -Inch Inputs & Outputs
• Toroidal Transformer Reduces Mechanical & Electrical Hum

Specifications
Equivalent Input Noise: @+4dBu: -99dBu ("A" weighted) / @-10 dBV: -107dBu ("A" weighted)
Maximum Attenuation: 30dB
Input Impedance: 10K Ω
Maximum Input Level: +20dBu (in +4dBu mode) / +10dBV (in -10dBV mode)
Maximum Output Level: +20dB max
Frequency Response: 10Hz to 100KHz (+/- 0.5dB)
Dynamic Range: > 100dB (20-20KHz)
Attack Time: 0.25msec. to 50msec. variable
Release Time: Variable 150ms to 3s
Slope: Variable 2:1 to 20:1
Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.1% (typical)
Dimensions: 3.5" x 19" x 9.2" (8.9cm x 48.3cm x 23.3cm)
Weight: 10.5lbs (4.76kg)

Q & A


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Reviews


3.138.141.202
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ART PRO VLA 0 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Kingston, Ontario
GOOD COMPRESSOR
Posted by JC on Oct 7, 2020
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Love It !!! 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Vancouver, British Columbia
Have been eyeballing one of these plus the PRO MPA Pre-Amp for 2 years to replace some 30 year old gear. Finally pulled the trigger on both. Love the VLA. Compresses well and sounds great . Bought this for vocals, acoustic guitars, guitar cabs and aux percussion. Sounds great on all. Pairs great with the PRO MPA Pre-Amp. Love how it compresses my DI bass from the PRO MPA. Great value for money!
Posted by Ray on Jun 14, 2020
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Great compressor 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Woodstock, Ontario
This is a great compressor, I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to get into outboard analog gear. although this comp' doesn't handle lows and sub lows well, it does sound great on many sources. Very transparent unless pushed very hard. my next step is to swap the tubes out for something with a little more gain.
Posted by Jakeb on Sep 18, 2017
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Not as good as the original 2 of 12 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Abbotsford, British Columbia
Bought and compared this to the original VLA - this one adds a harsh, aggressive high end quality to the signal, whereas the original was buttery smooth and warm. I'll keep my originals, thanks!
Posted by anonymous on Dec 2, 2013
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Pro VLA II 4 of 4 customers found this review helpful
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Value  
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Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Grande Prairie, Alberta
I traded my DBX 266 XL in on this unit. The build quality is great. Audio quality is also great. The compressor sounds far more natural than the DBX unit ever did. You almost can't tell that this unit is compressing the audio being run through it, but it definitely is! This is a far more refined unit all the way around. I have this unit plugged into the main insert on my Mackie 1640i mixer. I couldn't be happier for the price!
Posted by Gregg M on Mar 15, 2013
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live sound melt your face on bass 5 of 5 customers found this review helpful
Features  
Quality  
Value  
Overall  
Product Experience   I own it
Closest Store   Grande Prairie, Alberta
I have one of these in my live FOH rack. Perhaps a bit unconventional but I love it. Mostly use it for bass with awesome results. Sometimes I like it on electric guitar, too. But bass is where it warms my heart the most. Tried it on lead vocal some but wasn't really a fan. I'm skeptical as to the accuracy of its metering and to how well the controls actually align with the numbers printed on the front. Mildly annoying, but typical for gear in this price range. Can live with it since it doesn't affect the sound. It does have a tiny bit of hiss. Not enough to matter for live sound but enough that I suspect that recording people might care in some uses. My biggest complaint is that it takes up 2U of rackspace. I guess that's normal for a studio, but when it comes to cramming my gear into my tiny car for live gigs, 2U seems like a ton of space just for a mere two channels of compression. I would not put up with this if it didn't sound so damn good on bass. Also, it looks pretty, which is always nice.
Posted by Mike on Nov 18, 2012
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Rental rates


This product is normally available for rental. Please contact your preferred location for further information.

1 Day from $7.00

1 Week $13.00

1 Month $25.00

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