Airbrush paint spitting/splatter

Ok, I've been using a Paasche VL with a D500 compressor w/out a regulator for about 7 years now. I'm planning on getting a gravity fed AB but still want on using my VL. I've recently been using the brush to do more detail shading and noticed that no matter how I thin my paint (acrylics) I keep getting paint splatters or spitting. When I pull back on the trigger I noticed that the needle doesn't retract in the center of the tip but is offset to the left when I'm looking directly at it. I have already replaced the needle and tip, same results. Would this cause paint spits or is there another problem in the brush. Or, is my compressor going out, so maybe I'm not getting enough pressure? Help.