*art ART VLA-500 500 Series Optical Compressor

ART VLA-500 500 Series Compressor
The ART VLA 500 retains the Pro VLA’s signature vactrol-based compression circuit, with two tone colouring distortion circuits – punch and grit, delivering incredibly smooth compression and overall dynamic control. Fantastic for your 500 Series rack.

Legendary Circuit
The VLA-500 brings the same VCA-less Vactrol based compression circuit used in ART’s legendary Pro-VLA, putting to a convenient 500 Series format for the first time. Capable not only of delivering incredibly smooth compression and overall dynamic control, the VLA-500 also offers two user selectable tone shaping circuits making it one of the most versatile signal processors in your 500 Series rack.

Punch and Grit
The ‘Punch’ circuit is a J-FET Harmonic Enhancer that adds even-order harmonic distortion for a fuller, “punchier” tone while taming nasty peaks that may escape the Vactrol. The Grit circuit adds frequency-dependent signal distortion to make any track truly stand out. This is a highly creative effect that can work especially well on drums and percussion, solo brasses and woodwinds and even vocals when added presence and position in a mix is required. Bypassing both ‘Punch’ and ‘Grit’ circuits delivers the purest Opto-compressor tone, perfect for critical solo instruments and clean vocals. ‘Punch’ and ‘Grit’ circuits can even be combined for additional tone shaping options.

Features:

• 500 Series Form Factor Compressor Module 
• Based on Popular PRO-VLA Technology 
• VCA-less Vactrol Opto-Compressor Design 
• Two Additional Selectable Solid State Tone Shaping Circuits (‘Punch’ & ‘Grit’) 
• Variable Threshold, Ratio and Output Controls 
• Stereo / Multi-Channel Linkable 
• LED Metering

Specifications:

Equivalent Input Noise	-102dBu (‘A’ weighted)
Input Impedance	10K Ω
Output Impedance	100 Ω
Inputs Level	+20dBu
Output Level	+20dBu
Output Gain	+20dB max
Frequency Response	20Hz to 100KHz (+/- 0.5dB)
Dynamic Range	>120dB (20-20KHz)
Attack Time	0.25msec. to 50msec. variable
Release Time	150msec. to 3 sec, variable
Slope	Variable: 2:1 to 20:1
Total Harmonic Distortion	<0.003% (@1kHz, typical)
Power Requirements	80mA (75mA @+ 15V, 4mA@48V)
Max Gain Reduction	30dB
Weight	0.32kg