Manley Vari-Mu

KazRemark · 4th February 2004

Hi,
I purchased a Manley Vari-Mu on Ebay that I fear may be broken. I recieve signal when it is in Bypass Mode, but when i switch the Compressors IN, the signal dissapears. I have tried hooking the compressor up to the Master inserts of my Studiomaster Board. Am I just stupid, or do you guys think this unit is broken? What could the reasons be?
Thanks
Zak

jbuntz · 4th February 2004

Was it insured?

kevinc · 5th February 2004

I posted something on Fletchers forum to this also but I wanted to make sure to get you here too.

I have run into the same problem myself when using equipment with TRS outputs into the MU.

The only solution I could find is to run the signal through something else first such as a mic pre and then send it to the MU.

If I`m running straight from a typical XLR output I haven`t had a problem but it doesn`t like the TRS - XLR deal for some reason.

If you are using XLR to feed it there may be an issue with -10 vs +4 input/output type thing.

Regardless of what I say you should email the people at Manley labs before you send it back.
They`re a very helpfull bunch.

Kevin

P.S. I live near Boston too.

P.M. me if you want to get together sometime.

I got a new studio in Wocester and I`m trying to build it up a bit.

Albert · 5th February 2004

That TRS to XLR thing makes no sense. why would that happen? Maybe the TRS-XLR cables are not wired correctly. It's just wire and the Manley doesn't know it's TRS on the other instead of XLR.

I use TRS to XLR cables with my VariMu and have had zero problems. The signal is fine. Just really curious as to why TRS to XLR could cause signal to dissapear if the cables are wired properly.

Does the signal disappear entirely, as in muted suddenly, or just get very soft?

kevinc · 5th February 2004

I have no idea why it happens but it does.

It doesn`t make any sense to me either.
The cables brand new and work great with everything else.

It`s a mystery to me but once I plug it in through my API at zero gain it works absolutely fine.

The signal as you say gets to the barely audible level (and I mean barely) when the compression is engaged.

I haven`t screwed around with it for a while.

I`ll test it again and see if it does the same thing and get back to you guys.

CV7 · 5th February 2004

Call Manley, they are cool! and helpful too.

bloodstone · 5th February 2004

Are your inserts unbalanced or balanced? Things can get weird when you bring balanced gear into an unbalanced world, and vice versa.

4th February 2004	#1
KazRemark Gear nut Joined: Dec 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 131 Thread Starter	Manley Vari-Mu Hi, I purchased a Manley Vari-Mu on Ebay that I fear may be broken. I recieve signal when it is in Bypass Mode, but when i switch the Compressors IN, the signal dissapears. I have tried hooking the compressor up to the Master inserts of my Studiomaster Board. Am I just stupid, or do you guys think this unit is broken? What could the reasons be? Thanks Zak

5th February 2004	#4
Albert Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,489	That TRS to XLR thing makes no sense. why would that happen? Maybe the TRS-XLR cables are not wired correctly. It's just wire and the Manley doesn't know it's TRS on the other instead of XLR. I use TRS to XLR cables with my VariMu and have had zero problems. The signal is fine. Just really curious as to why TRS to XLR could cause signal to dissapear if the cables are wired properly. Does the signal disappear entirely, as in muted suddenly, or just get very soft? __________________ http://www.misterpotts.com [URL=http://www.facebook.com/alby.potts[/URL]

5th February 2004	#7
bloodstone Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2003 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 657	Problem Are your inserts unbalanced or balanced? Things can get weird when you bring balanced gear into an unbalanced world, and vice versa.

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4th February 2004	#2
jbuntz Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,716	Was it insured?

5th February 2004	#3
kevinc Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Beantown Posts: 2,462	I posted something on Fletchers forum to this also but I wanted to make sure to get you here too. I have run into the same problem myself when using equipment with TRS outputs into the MU. The only solution I could find is to run the signal through something else first such as a mic pre and then send it to the MU. If I`m running straight from a typical XLR output I haven`t had a problem but it doesn`t like the TRS - XLR deal for some reason. If you are using XLR to feed it there may be an issue with -10 vs +4 input/output type thing. Regardless of what I say you should email the people at Manley labs before you send it back. They`re a very helpfull bunch. Kevin P.S. I live near Boston too. P.M. me if you want to get together sometime. I got a new studio in Wocester and I`m trying to build it up a bit.

5th February 2004	#6
CV7 Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 213	Call Manley, they are cool! and helpful too.