The Perfect Pairing: ART Pro MPA II 2-Channel Mic Preamp and VLA II 2-Channel Tube Compressor

This is your chance to get a matched pair of vocal processors for a very reasonable price.

Originally purchased about three years ago and has seen light studio use. Like new condition. Used in a smoke-free studio. I’ve just got too much equipment and think these can be better utilized in your studio.

Retail pricing on the pair is almost $600 (Google them to find out). First $395 takes the pair.

The new ART ProMPA II is the next generation in affordable high performance microphone preamp technology. Each microphone input circuit, with selectable 48v phantom power, features variable input impedance which can radically vary the overall performance of any high quality dynamic or ribbon microphone. The ProMPA II can be configured for dual mono or stereo operation with selectable mid/side mic support, summing the adjacent channel, to decode left/right signals.

ART ProMPA II Vocal Processor

The ProMPA II can operate at either a low or high plate voltage on the two integrated hand-selected 12AX7 tubes for wider variation of preamp tone and performance. Large back-lit analog VU output meters display output levels while multi-colored LED arrays show tube gain.

Housed in a standard 2u space rack-mountable steel chassis, with CNC routed black anodized aluminum face panel, the ProMPA II is designed to deliver years of reliable operation in the studio, production facility, or on the road for live sound reinforcement.

• Variable Input Impedance For Flexible Microphone Voicing (150 Ohms To 2400 Ohms)
• Selectable Plate Voltage
• Large VU Meters
• Backlit Function Switches
• Discrete Class-A Input Microphone Preamplifier
• Low Noise at Lower Gain Settings
• Extremely Low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
• Wide Frequency Response
• Additional Front Mounted Instrument Input Jack
• Supports Mid/Side Miking Technique
• Operates at +4dbm/-10dbv Output
• Selectable Stereo/Dual Operation of Output Controls
• Automatic Instrument Input Selection

The ART ProVLA II 2-Channel Tube Compressor:

• Two Channel Vactrol-based Compressor

• 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 ¼-Inch Inputs & Outputs

• Toroidal Transformer Reduces Mechanical & Electrical Hum