Single Channel Vactrol Tube Leveler/Multivoice Tube, Optop Compressor - 1U

Overview

Whether it’s to fatten up an instrument take, smooth out a vocal performance or prevent clipping while laying down tracks, the ART Solo VLA will elevate your projects to the next level. 

The Solo VLA Multi-Voice Tube/Opto Compressor was designed to excel in applications where transparent, musical dynamic control is desired. The Blend control lets you combine the dry and processed signals for parallel compression, perfect for preserving your full dynamic range while adding fullness and sustain. Select between a pristine solid-state path or a class-A vacuum tube gain stage for warmer saturation.

The Solo Series of single channel rackmount units have been developed for the recording enthusiast with a preference for simplicity.

Key Features

• Adjustable input impedance (600 to 80K ohms)
• Flexible Tilt EQ
• Tunable Lowcut Filter
• Variable Voice Tube/Solid State Control
• Front accessible meter trim
• Discrete class A FET input microphone preamplifier
• Low THD
• Wide frequency response
• Front mounted Instrument/DI Input
• Very high input impedance
• +4dBu/-10dBV output level selection
• Studio Quality Audio Signal Path  
• Selectable Multi-Voice Tube/Solid State Control 
• Hand selected 12AT7 Tube  
• OPTO – Analog Optical Isolators (AOI)  
• Variable Threshold and Ratio Controls  
• Variable Attack and Release Controls  
• Variable Blend for Parallel Compression  
• Selectable Level Modes(+4dBu/-10dBV) 
• 20Hz to 80KHz Frequency Response (+0db+/-1dB)  
• >100dB (20-20k Hz) Dynamic Range

From the Sound On Sound review:

"The Solo VLA then offers a valve/optical compressor that has been designed to offer transparent, musical dynamic control. Users are able to switch between Opto and FET operating modes, with front-panel controls for threshold, ratio, attack, release and output level settings. There’s also a Blend knob which offers instant parallel compression, and switches to bypass the processing and configure the built-in meter to display either the output level or the amount of gain reduction being applied."

Specifications

Input Impedance: 10k ohms Line In

Output Impedance: 47 ohms Line Out

Equivalent Input Noise

• +4dBu mode: -99dBu (‘A’ weighted)
•  -10dBv mode: -107dBu (‘A’ weighted)

Maximum Levels Range

Input Level Switch: +4dBu/-10dBv selectable

• +25dBu ( +4dBu mode)
• +16dBV ( –10dBV mode)

Output +25dBu

Frequency Response: 15 Hz to 50 kHz (+0, -1dB)

Dynamic range : >110dB (“A” weighted)

CMRR : >90dB THD <0.005% (typical

Equivalent Input Noise: -129dBu (XLR, “A” weighted)

Maximum Input Level : +19dBu (XLR)

Maximum Instrument Input : +17dBu

Input Impedance::

• 600-80K ohms adjustable (XLR)
• >800k ohms (Instrument)

Output Impedance : < 47 ohms (XLR)

Maximum Gain: 75dB

Meter Calibration:

• 0VU = +4dBu output (+4dBu mode)
• 0VU = -10dBV output (-10dBV mode)

Low Cut Filter: Single pole,10-200Hz adjustable

Tilt EQ: +/- 12dB adjustable

Power Requirements: 100-120V 60 Hz / 220-240V 50Hz

Dimensions: (HxWxD): 1.75-inch x 19-inch x 6.0-inch / 4.45 cm x 48.3 cm x 15.2 cm

Weight : 5.6 lb / 2.5kg

Box Dimensions: (HxWxD) 5” x 20.4” x 7.44” / 12.6 cm x 51.8cm x 18.9cm

Note: 0 dBu = 0.775Vrms