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I liked the first one so much that I dedicated to my Korg MicroArranger that I purchased a second dedicated to the 2 mikes I use for my guitar amps.I've had non-tube compressors for a long time but irregardless of what some reviewers have mentioned (on different blogs), the tube really make a difference..depending on your speakers/headphones, if there good quality you'll hear the difference alright, obviously the rest of the circuit makes a difference . The VLA has a simple but functional front panel. The bypass is a little suspect, seems to be a little harsh, but if I wanted to bypass I would eliminate the VLA and go "DI" into my DP-32. I'n not wealthy but I came into a little extra money and have replaced my non-tubes with tubes. Like most compressors that do there job, you see see there is a lot less clipping... with the VLA's there is less clipping and a plus a more concise and warmer sound. I especially noticeable are the drums from the Korg. .The drums from the Korg are really good going DI but with the VLA II , sounds like the drums are in my home studio.. they don't become homogenized and maintain good delineation from all the different drum sounds . and as most reveiewers have said, for the money, they can't be beat (so far).

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Haviing a tube pre has made a huge difference in my recordings, I can easily tell the difference between my none tube and the VLA II's. Thats right I bought 2. One is dedicated to my condenser mikes recording my guitar. ( have a great stereo mike) and the other to my Korg Microarranger. When recording a drum track which the Korg has excellent choices, the sound reminds me of the drum part in Pink Floyd's "Learning to Fly) I'm sure each one of there compressors go for $thousands but even so, the sound is similiar with this big bang for the buck item. IBesides my own recordings, I make sound tracks for video. aaaai play lots of slide.. use to think I only wqanted acoustic but with the VLA with no effects, the sound is like butter and I can beef it up by bypassing one of the channels and balancing them to my needs. It lends itself very well when doing the mixdown . Imaging .. soundstage etc. Nothing wrong with none tube compressors I have but introducing a tube in the mix sweetens things up. One complaint I have.. it has no Phantom. Got a Rolls 2 channel for about 50$. I also own a PreSonus Studio Channel ..I'm going to do a review on it soon.

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I record solo artists and full bands from home, I use an Isa one Preamp for vocals, got the art pro VLA to add to the chain, upgraded the tubes with a pair of jj electronic 12at7 tubes, and I must say, the vocal quality and shine added to my recordings is exactly what I was missing, if you record from home and you just feel like your recordings don't sound as good as the pros, get an Isa one Preamp, and this compressor, studio quality vocals with the depth and shine I've been missing for years. I also upgraded my xlr cables to mogami neutrik and that seems to be the magic recipe for amazing, quality, studio vocals from home. Can't say enough about this product, worth way more than they charge. I got this and the Isa one on a payment plan and was approved with horrible credit, zzounds is an awesome resource for people with little money but a steady job. Thanks again and UPGRADE THE TUBES!

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The art pro vla2 does what it does GREATLY!!! Simple to hook up and use. Id give it a couple hours to really heat up but once it does WOW!!! Though it does not have a really fast attack time the way it handles is smooth! If you want to get a great compressor at a steal of a deal this one is for you!

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the Art Pro VLA II does what it says. I didn't change the tubes because I wanted to keep the sound coming through the VLA as transparent as possible. Coming out of the UA Solo 110 (which is an awesome mic pre) going into the VLA II the vocals come out very smooth and sit in the pocket perfectly. I liked the Solo 110 because it adds a nice sheen to the vocals but needed a tube compressor to tame it a little and the VLA II does a nice job of doing just that. solid build quality as well.

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if it were stolen I'd buy another one as soon as possible and will be buying 3 more to add to my set up

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Be aware that there is ZERO customer support from ART, the manufacturer. I have attempted to contact them three times about my unit and there's no response. Parts or service, forget it. It's a middle finger to customers who buy their products and are out of warranty. So . . . don't from ART. Their equipment is decent and sells at a good price, but for a little more, you can get something you can be proud of from a different company that will actually stand behind their product and offer some level of service and support.

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Ibhated this thing at first because I was using it for tracking and couldn't get it to sound right. Bought a new interface to run some drums through it and now i see where it really shines. Kicks, snare you name all come to life with great tube warmth. Again I really wouldn't put it on a vocal chain but for mixing its a keeper

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Sketchy at first, didn't like it much for tracking on my voice. Sounded pretty good on everyone else. Mixing with is great, especially on drum samples and 808s