Accessible Parallel Compression for Your Studio
Add a warm tube tone to your mixes with the ART Solo VLA. When pressed for a studio compressor recommendation, Sweetwater Sales Engineers cite the Solo VLA for its smooth, musical sound and ability to handle parallel compression. Optical compressors are well-loved in the music industry for their organic sound and the harmonic saturation they add to any signal. At its core, the Solo VLA is an optical compressor with a tube in the gain stage; it also features individual threshold and ratio controls, so you can dial in the perfect amount of compression. Meanwhile, separate attack and release controls give it the freedom to be lenient or strict with transients. If you’re preparing for your foray into the world of outboard compression, you can’t go wrong with the ART Solo VLA.

Tame your mix with parallel compression
One of the things we like most about the ART Solo VLA is its built-in parallel compression mode. What exactly is parallel compression? We’re glad you asked! Parallel compression is a studio technique used to compress strong transients, such as tambourines and snares, without causing vocals and other lower-volume signals to duck and disappear. When using parallel compression with the Solo VLA, it automatically splits your signal into two. The first signal (dry) is completely uncompressed; the second signal (wet) is fully compressed. Then, you use the blend knob to combine the wet and dry signals to taste. Try parallel compression on your next song and get excellent results right away.

FEATURES:

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

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 Switch +4dBu/-10dBv selectable Inputs +25dBu (in +4dBu mode) / +16dBV ( –10dBV mode)
Output +25dBu +25dBu
Output Gain +15dB Line In
Dynamic Range >100dB (20-20kHz)
Frequency Response 20Hz to 80kHz (+ 0/-1dB)
Dynamic range >110dB (“A” weighted)
THD@ 0dBm Out <0.02% (typical)
Attack Time 0.25msec. to 50msec. variable
Release Time 150msec. to 3sec. variable
CMRR >90dB THD <0.005% (typical
Compression Ratio (Slope) Variable : 1.25:1 to 20:1
Maximum Attenuation 30dB
Maximum Instrument Input +17dBu
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 51.8 cmx 18.9 cm

ART SOLOVLA (Art SOLO-VLA)