What do you think about those 2 units? I have to say I actually like them both! The Klark Teknik KT-2A is my go-to vocal compressor and the ART Pro VLA II is currently on my instrument group. Overall I think the 2A saturates a bit more, whereas the VLA is a brighter and cleaner sounding comp.
The 2A on bass has a tighter low end But the low on the Art could well be what you want and could easily be EQed. Both very very good. Really good vid, thanks.
Love both, but the attack is set too fast to compare correctly.. it’s misleading. They would sound closer if the attack on the ART was slower.. that’s why LA-2A’s (and their clones) sound so damn good, they preserve the transients👍🏼
Nice video, thanks. Two different animals, both cool. Picking one over the other as "better" is misinformed kids. Bigger issue: Wish there was a dry track in each example to be able to have that comparison as well.
The VLA II wins by a long shot. While it wouldn't be my first choice for material with lots of low end, I find that its low end stays more focused and heavier than on the Klark. The Klark... just neuters everything it touches. Making tube gear that sounds good costs money, and you simply can't get around that fact.
Really? I didn't hear a ton character. Just a nice clean analog sound..... More versatile than the Klark, but certainly less character and weight on the bass and vocal. More highs.... Though they do sound smooth.
ART has more depth and detail. The KT is grainier and 2D, in a good way. Listen to the 80-200 hz area on the acoustic guitar -- very nice how the KT cleans that up, like a face lift. I preferred the ART on drums and the KT on most of the other tracks. Really they're cheap enough you could have both.
Who sounded better?: ART on drums, Klark on Bass, ART on acoustic guitar, either on vocals would work depends on the mix (I liked the ART better standing alone) There is a definite tone difference, the ART is darker and clear, and the Klark is brighter and slightly saturated.
Thx from the video however, why is not being demonstrated as dry first and then introduce the compressors one by one, to see the fair comparison. Also to see the warmth and character of the units. Thx .
Great comparison. Great video. I have to say I like both they sound very similar to my ears. Compressors compress with either more flavour or less not really better or worse anyway so you don't need to spend thousands to get great gear these days.
Another great example of why you should own an ART Pro VLA II. I own tje original and the VLA II and ever since I first ran a signal through the VLA I was hooked at what it did to my signal. Like a whole other dimension. This has to be one of the best sounding cost-effective Leveling Amplifiers on planet earth. So glad I own mine and use it in my Mastering chain. It is the glue and texture that never dissapoints me even if used to pass signal at low compression settings. It always adds something unquantifiable to the finished product. Thanks for sharing...
I think overall I prefer the KT-2A but I think it depends on the project. The Art felt a little more edgy and jagged whereas the KT-2A felt smooth and warm. The only source where I think I would almost never use the Art over the KT-2A is on vocals. I LOVE LA-2A style compression on vocals!
Both sound great tbh. 2A more colored sound and VLA more lively while compressed. I personally own both and love them :) VLA on mix bus or guitars is best. KT2A on vocals or bass is best.
would be interesting to see these upgraded with new tubes and new opto module in the KT-2A and then see how they sound the upgraded tubes can change the sound a lot and open it up and make it more musical sounding, especially the VLA
Very different opinions here. Interesting. Personally, I prefer the KT-2. It sound to me more open and natural. The Art sound more muffle. Yes, a bit more bassy but to my ears, you lose the clarity of the recording.
KT-2A sound like a real tube compressor and the VLA is thinner sounding and a little dull by comparison. If you'd upgrade the KT-2A's T4 opto cell and the tubes you'll get an amazing sounding LA2A copy with it's own character
I think both sound nice. The KT-2a saturates a little more and the VLA-II sounds cleaner. I have both the KT-2a and KT-76 here and the KT-76 is also a clean sounding compressor and is a nice contrast to the KT-2a.
@@vocalbooth_tonstudio It does sound different. The Kenetek slows the release time of the compressor which now sounds closer to the original. Also, the modded KT-2a sounds a little thicker.
To me The Klark has the more rounded analogue mojo and by quite a lot too! but you do pay for the difference with only one channel......So the best option depends on your use case, needs and budget
I own KT76 and KT2A. I use them on the vocal chain. First KT76 with slow attack and fastest release and after send to LA2A to level slightly some remaining peaks. The result is incredible. Depending on singer sometimes no need of de-esser, everything is smooth. Add some EQ-s, reverb, delay and youre done.
@@Reylland Some of my best results I obtained with Warm Audio Tone Beast. Very pleased with this preamp. I am also planning to buy the Neve clone from Golden Age, Premier 73. Nowadays when I dont use WA Tone Beast, I go with the preamp from audio interface - Antelope Orion Studio. Very clean preamps, works on all sources.
@@cristian-marius-albu So, if I understand you correctly, I can use this clone la2a before input to my Apollo, and then use some of preamps in audio interface like you using Antelope. I just worry about gain noise and if its possible to do like this, without buying some extra preamp for levelling voice input. Thank you for you answer!
@@Reylland if I use my interface preamps (Orion Studio) I route after the signal to outboard gear (KT76 - KT2A) and back to interface as line level signal. If I use preamps like WA Tone Beast, this will be first in the chain after the compressors and later into the interface. Also from DAW can be routed signal to interface and outboard gear and back to DAW. In Studio one I use this method (pipeline plugin) instead of using waves 1176 and LA2A plugins.
I liked the KT much better. The sustain is smoother and it gives an extra something to to the source. I was interested in this ART compressor. I prefer the KT. Thanks for the review
My take is the vla is really harsh on the low end and can hear more plosives while the 2a is giving a smooth balance between the low end and high..definitely use the 2a for vocals and vla for instruments
Klark on Drum (pre emphasis) much more brighter, Bass on Art (for Klark it needs to play with pre emphasis), much more Klark Teknik is best more brite sound and less harsh.
Specifically on Vocals, they both bring out a different character. So too would the unprocessed raw/dry vocal. I say use all 3 in parallel! Setup clean EQs or filters really, before each Comp and try removing the highs from one and the lows from the other. Find the magic that each provides, then blend them together to taste. MOST IMPORTANTLY THOUGH: mix them in context of the MIX. If you’re only mixing in one of the three, hard to say what’s going to sit in the mix, without the other elements. They both sound great in solo.
The ART needs to be calibrated to match levels and meters. The tubes are volatile, it’s not 100 percent solid state. Open up the unit, located the potentiometers, connect a signal generator, tweak until matches, set, done. Back in stereo.
BTW, I put some vintage matched pair of tubes in my ART, made a substantial difference, now I rediscovered something that was collecting dust and idle in my rack, now rocks and using it all the time. All my compressor plugins are now obsolete, wish I did not spend so much dough on plugins.
@@mapletree2009 Why do all that? Just accept its a different sound and use it when needed. Mixing is like cooking food, The gear is just different seasonings for audio.
What do you think about those 2 units? I have to say I actually like them both! The Klark Teknik KT-2A is my go-to vocal compressor and the ART Pro VLA II is currently on my instrument group. Overall I think the 2A saturates a bit more, whereas the VLA is a brighter and cleaner sounding comp.
The 2A on bass has a tighter low end But the low on the Art could well be what you want and could easily be EQed. Both very very good. Really good vid, thanks.
Thank you!
The ART sounds more 3D
Love both, but the attack is set too fast to compare correctly.. it’s misleading. They would sound closer if the attack on the ART was slower.. that’s why LA-2A’s (and their clones) sound so damn good, they preserve the transients👍🏼
Nice video, thanks. Two different animals, both cool. Picking one over the other as "better" is misinformed kids. Bigger issue: Wish there was a dry track in each example to be able to have that comparison as well.
The VLA II wins by a long shot. While it wouldn't be my first choice for material with lots of low end, I find that its low end stays more focused and heavier than on the Klark. The Klark... just neuters everything it touches. Making tube gear that sounds good costs money, and you simply can't get around that fact.
Diggin' the ART!
Honestly
L2A is for Vocals, not for drums ....... i've both. ART sound more warmer, L2A more bright.
Comment section is such a facepalm. 😃
People with zero reference talking about which one is thicker, more focused, warmer, cooler, and whatever... 🙆🤦
a lot of character on the Art Pro VLA.
Really? I didn't hear a ton character. Just a nice clean analog sound..... More versatile than the Klark, but certainly less character and weight on the bass and vocal. More highs.... Though they do sound smooth.
KT sounds more La2aish. ART sounds good but more transparent and forward/beefy sounding.
Agreed.
The original ART Pro VLA would fair better on vocals against both of these due to it's insanely good auto attack and release.
The klark has more clarity, the ART sounds muffled
ART has more depth and detail. The KT is grainier and 2D, in a good way. Listen to the 80-200 hz area on the acoustic guitar -- very nice how the KT cleans that up, like a face lift. I preferred the ART on drums and the KT on most of the other tracks. Really they're cheap enough you could have both.
Who sounded better?: ART on drums, Klark on Bass, ART on acoustic guitar, either on vocals would work depends on the mix (I liked the ART better standing alone)
There is a definite tone difference, the ART is darker and clear, and the Klark is brighter and slightly saturated.
Thx from the video however, why is not being demonstrated as dry first and then introduce the compressors one by one, to see the fair comparison. Also to see the warmth and character of the units.
Thx .
Great comparison. Great video. I have to say I like both they sound very similar to my ears. Compressors compress with either more flavour or less not really better or worse anyway so you don't need to spend thousands to get great gear these days.
Can't just have a "cheapy" rig either. Some of your hardware should be top notch if you can.
Another great example of why you should own an ART Pro VLA II. I own tje original and the VLA II and ever since I first ran a signal through the VLA I was hooked at what it did to my signal. Like a whole other dimension. This has to be one of the best sounding cost-effective Leveling Amplifiers on planet earth. So glad I own mine and use it in my Mastering chain. It is the glue and texture that never dissapoints me even if used to pass signal at low compression settings. It always adds something unquantifiable to the finished product. Thanks for sharing...
Still liking it?
I think overall I prefer the KT-2A but I think it depends on the project. The Art felt a little more edgy and jagged whereas the KT-2A felt smooth and warm. The only source where I think I would almost never use the Art over the KT-2A is on vocals. I LOVE LA-2A style compression on vocals!
Both sound great tbh. 2A more colored sound and VLA more lively while compressed. I personally own both and love them :)
VLA on mix bus or guitars is best.
KT2A on vocals or bass is best.
its SUCH A GOOD MIXBUS COMPRESSOR
Can't believe I'm saying this but the KT is fuller on the bottom and I like it on drums and bass better than VLAll
Art!!!!!!!!!!!!
VLA just has that fat sound im looking for. I would use the klark on vocal chain tho
would be interesting to see these upgraded with new tubes and new opto module in the KT-2A and then see how they sound
the upgraded tubes can change the sound a lot and open it up and make it more musical sounding, especially the VLA
Very different opinions here. Interesting. Personally, I prefer the KT-2. It sound to me more open and natural. The Art sound more muffle. Yes, a bit more bassy but to my ears, you lose the clarity of the recording.
The ART is way better. Thinking of grabbing 5 of them for my mixing rack
KT-2A sound like a real tube compressor and the VLA is thinner sounding and a little dull by comparison. If you'd upgrade the KT-2A's T4 opto cell and the tubes you'll get an amazing sounding LA2A copy with it's own character
Definitely VLA, much better than the KT.
I think both sound nice. The KT-2a saturates a little more and the VLA-II sounds cleaner. I have both the KT-2a and KT-76 here and the KT-76 is also a clean sounding compressor and is a nice contrast to the KT-2a.
I've just upgraded the optocell and tubes in my KT-2a. I have the Kenetek T4b and Harma Retro tubes.
And? Does it sound better?
@@vocalbooth_tonstudio It does sound different. The Kenetek slows the release time of the compressor which now sounds closer to the original. Also, the modded KT-2a sounds a little thicker.
@@richardpenrose1968 Thanks! :)
I got 4 of the arts.. and three of the 2a ..I have no complaints and neither do any of the artist's..
To me The Klark has the more rounded analogue mojo and by quite a lot too! but you do pay for the difference with only one channel......So the best option depends on your use case, needs and budget
Would it be possible to use these 2 for tracking together ? Like go into the VLA 2 first then into the KT2A ?. You think that would sound good ?
I’ve ran my pre into VLA channel 1 and out directly into channel 2 to kinda get the effect of the 1176 going into the 2A before hitting my interface
kt 2a better on git and vox.
I can recommend kt76 into vla on vox
The ART holds its own and does it damn well!
Thanks for doing this video, major help.
My mans
Nice demo
I own KT76 and KT2A. I use them on the vocal chain. First KT76 with slow attack and fastest release and after send to LA2A to level slightly some remaining peaks. The result is incredible.
Depending on singer sometimes no need of de-esser, everything is smooth. Add some EQ-s, reverb, delay and youre done.
Hi! and what preamp do you use?
@@Reylland Some of my best results I obtained with Warm Audio Tone Beast. Very pleased with this preamp.
I am also planning to buy the Neve clone from Golden Age, Premier 73.
Nowadays when I dont use WA Tone Beast, I go with the preamp from audio interface - Antelope Orion Studio. Very clean preamps, works on all sources.
@@cristian-marius-albu So, if I understand you correctly, I can use this clone la2a before input to my Apollo, and then use some of preamps in audio interface like you using Antelope. I just worry about gain noise and if its possible to do like this, without buying some extra preamp for levelling voice input. Thank you for you answer!
@@Reylland if I use my interface preamps (Orion Studio) I route after the signal to outboard gear (KT76 - KT2A) and back to interface as line level signal.
If I use preamps like WA Tone Beast, this will be first in the chain after the compressors and later into the interface.
Also from DAW can be routed signal to interface and outboard gear and back to DAW. In Studio one I use this method (pipeline plugin) instead of using waves 1176 and LA2A plugins.
@@cristian-marius-albu all clear! Thank you very much!
KT-2A
I liked the KT much better. The sustain is smoother and it gives an extra something to to the source. I was interested in this ART compressor. I prefer the KT. Thanks for the review
I agree, that nice release seems to vibe a little more.
My take is the vla is really harsh on the low end and can hear more plosives while the 2a is giving a smooth balance between the low end and high..definitely use the 2a for vocals and vla for instruments
Klark on Drum (pre emphasis) much more brighter, Bass on Art (for Klark it needs to play with pre emphasis), much more Klark Teknik is best more brite sound and less harsh.
KT for the win. Convinced me to purchase one. Thanks!👍
I went with the ART. Bought it a few days ago.
@@lightafluident.9950 - 👍
Specifically on Vocals, they both bring out a different character. So too would the unprocessed raw/dry vocal. I say use all 3 in parallel!
Setup clean EQs or filters really, before each Comp and try removing the highs from one and the lows from the other.
Find the magic that each provides, then blend them together to taste.
MOST IMPORTANTLY THOUGH: mix them in context of the MIX.
If you’re only mixing in one of the three, hard to say what’s going to sit in the mix, without the other elements.
They both sound great in solo.
Just bought the ART.
The top one sounds bright n more mixable. I got rid of my art modded version. It’s not stereo in stereo mode. Do you have hissing in your unit?
No, can't hear any excessive hiss.
The ART needs to be calibrated to match levels and meters. The tubes are volatile, it’s not 100 percent solid state. Open up the unit, located the potentiometers, connect a signal generator, tweak until matches, set, done. Back in stereo.
BTW, I put some vintage matched pair of tubes in my ART, made a substantial difference, now I rediscovered something that was collecting dust and idle in my rack, now rocks and using it all the time. All my compressor plugins are now obsolete, wish I did not spend so much dough on plugins.
@@mapletree2009 Why do all that? Just accept its a different sound and use it when needed. Mixing is like cooking food, The gear is just different seasonings for audio.
@@tecno8335 I can't agree more on this, cheers from Hong Kong!
KT, non doubt