Opinions - ART VLA

[Relyet]

Hello,

This summer I have been clearing out my excess gear and am wanting to keep things simple (just Ensemble into computer). I have gotten rid of most of my gear, but still have my ART VLA compressor. I was toying with the idea of keeping just this one piece of hardware to run final mixes through. I should mention I like Logic's and Izotope Ozone's compressors fine, but still-- considering keeping the VLA.

Just curious about folks' opinions. Keep it or continue to simplify (get rid of it)?

Thanks!

[shedshrine]

First page of this 2015 thread has a few people talking about the VLA in that capacity..

[MoreSpaceEcho]

just run some mixes through the VLA and your ITB compressors, a/b them and see what you think.

[drumsound]

I still use my VLA, but not on the mix bus. I've never tried it there to be honest. I still like it a lot on bass and Wurly. Sometimes it works on a vocal or a clean guitar or solo. Generally I use hardware on the way in.

[joninc]

i still use mine for tracking these days - they live on my overhead chain... but I have used them as part of a mix chain for many years too.

It's not gone add a ton of "tone" to your sound but it's a pretty smooth leveller for reigning dynamics in a bit. I'd track through it if I were you. Even chain 2 channels together on a vocal might also be good. Great value IMO and more interesting than most other options in that price range.

[vvv]

Mine is at the bottom of my rack, and I just realized, I've not used it in months/a year?

I like it on vocals, me, but have been using other stuff ...

But, too cool to get rid of so I'm gonna make a point to re-acquaint - thanx!

[Magnetic Services]

First page of this 2015 thread has a few people talking about the VLA in that capacity..

Whoah, that's my thread! I did end up going with the Chameleon Labs and still use it all the time.

On topic, though, I have heard of people swapping out the tubes in ART gear for an easy upgrade.

[alexdingley]

Just weighing in... I tried one out on a tracking session a couple of years ago, and couldn’t find a way to make good use of it. Didn’t love it in bass / kick / snare... ended up using my old dbx 160x’s on each of those with no trouble. That said, I heard that there’s a good mod out there that gives it some more “classic compressor” character.

http://jjaudiomic.com/PRO-VLA-Mod.php

[I'm Painting Again]

just run some mixes through the VLA and your ITB compressors, a/b them and see what you think.

[New Orleans Steve]

The VLA punches so far above it's weight it's absurd!