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Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone

Name: Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone
Brand: Manley Laboratories Inc
SKU: 9660
Price: 3499.00 USD
Availability: BackOrder

Manley's Cardioid-Only studio workhorse microphone. Known for vocals, this mic performs well on a variety of instruments as well. While not a vintage microphone, the Ref C is certainly a studio classi...

UPC 00890833000298

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Sound Pure's Take

This mic isn't a clone, nor is it supposed to "sound" like anything from yesteryear. It is just supposed to sound good (and that it does!). We'd describe the Reference Cardioid as a very modern and forward mic. Very low self-noise, great detail and a slight push up around 8k. This push really allows the microphone to sit "up" in busy modern mixes without having an over sibilant presence. The proximity effect is also on point, which allows the user to really dial in the low-end presence if more is needed.

This mic is hailed as a workhorse for the studio (piano, drum OH, guitars, etc), but for my money, this is mainly a vocal mic that can sound great on other sources. The detail does allow you to use it in a plethora of instruments, but to me, this is mic made for vocals, especially vocals that are sitting in denser mixes.

If you are looking for a great all-around vocal mic, with a touch of top end push, the Manley Reference Cardioid is a great place to start.

Watch & listen

Tour of Types Vocal Mic Shootout: Shure SM7B vs AEA R44 CXE vs Manley Ref C vs Neumann U87Ai

Also in this recording Shure SM7B Large Diaphragm Dynamic Microphone AEA R44 CXE High Output Ribbon Microphone Neumann U87Ai Microphone Millennia HV-3R Digital 8 Channel Mic Preamp

In this video, we put four different types of microphones up against each other on female vocals: the Shure SM7B (Dynamic Mic), the AEA R44 CXE (Ribbon Mic), the Manley Ref C (LDC Tube Mic), and the Neumann U87Ai (Solid State LDC Mic). Joining us for this shootout are Ayisa Adderley (vocals) and Caige Crampshee (guitar) from the band Eyes Eat Suns. Check them out at WWW.EYESEATSUNS.BAND.

From Manley Laboratories Inc

The Reference Cardioid Microphone shares the same electronic attributes as the Gold Reference Series, but has a center-fixed cardioid-only capsule with a thicker gauge (6 micron) gold sputtered diaphragm. With the similar film thickness and construction, similar high frequency resonance (a little edge), similar proximity effect and pretty good immunity from pops and sibilance problems, our Reference Cardioid more closely recalls how many of the vintage European tube mics such as the beloved U47 sounded like when they were new. Its rich tonal balance and liquid character is consistently admired for instruments such as guitars, drum overheads, saxophone, and especially vocals. With your present mic, if you find yourself leaning on your compressors and boosting 5 or 10K to score a bit more testosterone, then the Reference Cardioid just might be the mic you’re looking for to cure what ails ya. If you seem to be constantly boosting 12-18K and trying to get a clean, intimate sound, then probably the Reference Gold would be the safest bet.

All-Tube triode design 12AT7 (2011 build. Previous versions used 12AX7 and 6072.)

10 dB switchable pad

Frequency response: 10Hz-30KHz
Sensitivity: 17mV/Pa

Noise typically -120dB EIN

Max SPL: 150dB

Actual output impedance 200 Ohms

Weight: 2.25 lbs (mic)
Weight: 2.5 lbs (PSU)
Size: 4.5" x 9.7" x 4.5" (mic)
Size: 5" x 8.2" x 3.4" (PSU)
Shipping weight: 15 lbs

Selected matched pairs available

Outboard Power Supply is factory set for 100V, 120V or 220-240VAC operation for original destination country's mains voltage.

Operating Mains Voltage changeable with power transformer re-wiring via internal jumpers and fuse value change.

Mains Voltage Frequency: 50~ 60Hz
Mains Fuse: 250mA @ 100~120V; 125mA @ 220~240V operation
Power Consumption: 70mA @ 120V = 8.4 Watts

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$3,499

Tour of Types Vocal Mic Shootout: Shure SM7B vs AEA R44 CXE vs Manley Ref C vs Neumann U87Ai

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