ART Pro VLA II Valve Compressor & Amplifier

The Pro VLA 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 Pro VLA 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 Pro VLA 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 Pro VLA II by utilizing a transformerless design throughout.

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.

The Vactrol design allows the Pro VLA 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.

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

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.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQsuplGBGVc

The specifications:

Dynamic range: > 100 dB (20-20KHz)
Total harmonic distortion: <0.1% (typical)
Equivalent input noise: @ +4 dBu: -99dBu (''A'' weighted)/@ -10 dBV: -107dBu (''A'' weighted)
Frequency response: 10-100000Hz (+/- 0.5 dB)
Input impedance: 10000 Ohms
Maximum attenuation: 30 dB
Maximum input level: +20 dBu (in +4 dBu mode)/+10 dBV (in -10dBV mode)
Maximum output level: +20 dB max
Attack time: 0.25msec. to 50msec. variable
Release time: Variable 150ms to 3s
Slope: Variable 2:1 to 20:1
Dimensions: 3.5" x 19" x 9.2" (8.9cm x 48.3cm x 23.3cm)
Weight: 10.5lbs (4.76kg).