Sounds like it costs at least twice its price, and better than many plugins!

I needed a new compressor to use for my WASP and Pro~1 synth clones. I was using a Focusrite TwinTrak Pro, but it runs hot and has more features designed for microphones than line level sources. I was considering getting another 2xPreSous Studio Channels, but at half the price and after reading many positive reviews of the ART Pro VLA II, I decided to give it a try.

Wow! I am more than pleasantly surprised with the sound quality of the ART PRO VLA II. It provides compression from subtle and transparent to thick and saturated. It also has the best metering of any device in the studio– analog VU meters for switchable input or output metering, and digital LED meters for gain reduction and output level. I don't know how they produce a device with this quality at this price, but I'm glad I gave it a try. If you want a flexible dual channel/stereo hardware tube compressor, the ART PRO VLA II is absolutely worth your time.

From Gear Setup

more hifi than the 1 with precision time constant control

clearly the VLA2 was made to turn the original into a budget competitor for the big boys like avalon etc.... but I like the old one better for submix bus work.... this one is great as 2 individual compressors or as a master bus comp used gently in link.... hifi and not too squishy. Still, I don't use opto comrpession on my master so I like the 1, although in unlinked stereo use the 2 can have different time constants on each side that cna be dialed in for interesting stereo effects. Also useful for processing mid side recordings, far moreso than the 1. Botha re good but if I have to pick its the 1. This version is really clean and modern comparatively and it also can be a time suck with the continuously variable time constants, you'll often wind up with similar settings to what the 1 does in auto. Opto excels at program dependent att and rel. See my other review for my against-the-common-wisdom opinion of the VLA1.

HEADS UP, the VLAs aren't in starved plate but they're not high voltage tube circuits, its more sort of a hybrid opto, slid state does most of the real work for in and out amps. Don't expect an LA2A but it has a modern vactrol charm of its own with lots of color from the undervolted dual triodes...

Lil piece of nice hardware comp cheaper than lots of plugins.

Ran into this guy doing some quick Vox at a studio @ a school w/ a recording program of all places. I was in a pinch & needed to get it done. SM7, can't recall the board but nothing special & this guy was my signal chain (Female Vox). Popped it in not thinking much from it & I was, well, dead wrong.

I still use that same set up now when it fits with my own I grabbed for like $150 (with maybe a few hours on it) over my "better" more pricey hardware. If it sounds right, it's right. Smooth & warm. I put this in with the dead cheap & under...appreciated? Underused? "Category" but to be fair there are several affordable compression options out there but this guy is among my favorites.

Basically a ton of bang for buck AND you get to adjust the knobs & buttons with YOUR HANDS not a mouse. If you push it it's not an emulation of saturation but the actual musical harmonics of a hardware compressor at work.

I look for specs before I write a review & sometimes I come across a review that reads like an echo of what I might write. That was the case here-

From Sound on Sound here: http://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/art-pro-vla-ii

"ART describe their Vactrol-based optical compressor circuit as being particularly natural sounding, and that claim is not far from the truth. Like any optical compressor, it tends to deliver a degree of sneaky flattery, and when pushed harder its contribution as an outright effect becomes rather more apparent, but it is capable of behaving very politely too.

One device that uses this circuit is the Art Pro VLA II compressor reviewed here. This device has a soft-knee compression characteristic that sounds pretty transparent at moderate gain-reduction levels, but with a subtle musical warmth added by a 12AT7 vacuum tube in the otherwise solid-state, transformerless signal path. Push it harder at higher ratios and it can inject a musical-sounding 'bounce' into the mix, so its applications can vary from transparent gain control to lively gain pumping."

And some basics to know I borrowed-

Note: I've used this all over but never as my final 2 track Buss Comp/ or "Mastering" as mentioned here. (Mastering is for mastering studios & mastering engineers. I've seen & heard their craft & I've neither the room/gear nor skills to match...Neither does any box or plugin. They are extremely talented individuals. I have of course "rough mastered" demos or for clients who ask- but I use other tools for that)

ART Pro-VLA IICompressor/Leveling Amplifier Features:

Vactrol Opto-Compression Design (no VCA)

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/-10dBV Mode Switch Optimizes Pro-VLA II For Interface With Professional OR Consumer Grade Components

Active Balanced XLR And 1/4-inch Inputs and Outputs

Toroidal Transformer Reduces Mechanical and Electrical Hum

Crazy value. Upgrade the tubes!

It's decent stock. Good quality. Can't drive it as much as I'd liked so I dropped some "preferred" 12ax7's in there and wow! Butter. I recommend! Sounded so great I bought another to experiment with tubes. I definitely like it better than most of my plugins. Has the analog joy we're all after. It's slow compression, so good on vocals, acoustic guitar, strings, etc. I might run vocals into a fast DBX or 1176 first and then into this, maybe even through both channels. But this is a keeper. An affordable compressor that has a home right in between the 1176's, Distressor's, LA2A's, DBX 160's etc. Great first compressor to learn with if you are thinking about getting into outboard gear. Don't hesitate. Buy.

Warm and subtle.

A truly great compressor for the price, has a great 'well made' feel to it. I can't fault it!