Manley Reference Cardiod vs Manley Reference Gold

[Joji]

I looking to buy a Manley Mic. Is there a hugh difference between the Manley Reference Cardiod and the Manley Gold. I don't need multi pattern and the Manley black is a lot cheaper. IS the price difference for the gold worth it and how different sonically is it.
thanks

[midnightsun]

Having multipattern on the Manley Gold Reference is a very nice option. I use cardioid 75 percent of the time the the other 25 percent!!!! For example, if you are recording a singer playing the acoustic guitar, a couple of figure of 8's properlty placed will make for an amazing seperation of the vocal and acoustic guitar. But I guess that your question is whether or not the multipattern set on cardioid is exactly the same as the dedicated cardioid. I like my Manley Gold Reference and even if the cardioid was totally the same on both the extra cost is worth it for me and how I like to record.

[matt thomas]

there is a description of the sound differemnce on the manley site, at least there used to be a couple years ago, i assume its still there

narco

[Joji]

I have no use for anything but Cardiod. Manleys website says there is a difference. I am curios how much better the gold is. It is a lot more money to spend if thery are practically the same. Excpet the multi pattern of coarse.
thanks

[Poplab Studios]

i have the reference (not gold) and i think it´s killer on vocals! i´ve heard that you can send it to manley and replace the capsule with the gold ( and it´s not really expensive). as long as you don´t need multipatterns, maybe this is a option too. but don´t nail me on this, contact manley first. as i said, i´ve only heard this....
never heard the gold, but i´m VERY sadisfied with the ref.

cheers

[MSR74]

The difference is in the capsule design. One capsule I believe is made or at least designed by Josephson (REF Mic) and the other for the Cardioid is chinese. Surprising but true, at least that was true the last time (about 8 months or so ago) I spoke with a tech at Manley.

The quality control on the Chinese caps are excellent and they are all tested before they go into the mic from what I was told. If one doesn't meet their specs it's rejected and thrown away. Even the tech was impressed with the sound quality of the capsule they had found.

I am preety certain (correct me if I'm wrong) that the guts/transformer, tube, etc. are the same for both mics. Just the capsule is different on the Cardioid.

i am considering this mic as well and I think I am going to splurge, but I kinda nifts me that the capsule is Chinese. I guess I'll just need to get over it...

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by MSR74

... but I kinda nifts me that the capsule is Chinese. I guess I'll just need to get over it...

Why does that bother you?

-andrews

[jjblair]

Manley's Chinese capsules are the same that was used in the CR3A/CR2001. Really a terrific sounding capsule. They are a totally different design than the Josephson designed capsule, though, which is based on the AKG CK12.

The standard capsule is a little more colored, but in a really good way. The Josephson is very extended and very open on top.

I'll tell you that the option of having multiple patterns for vocal is a godsend, and you can adjust the patterns to suit your frequency response. If there's too much low end, I'll move towards hyper cardioid. If it's too bright, I'll go to figure 8. If I want more top end less proximity effect, omni will do the trick.

Patterns are your friend. In fact, when using a single mic, I change the patterns probably more for vocals than I do for any instruments.

Something to think about.

[lordmiguel]

the gold hands down blows the regular away. no comparison for me. and its also phenomenal on acoustic guitar. those are two really tough duties for a mic to fulfill, and to me why it is totally worth the money. it is bright c-12 *ish* but the clarity is very nice.

[jjblair]

I'll add that it doesn't have the same presence peak as the C12, and extends further into the highs before it shelves. It's been great on singers where I want that air but the C12 is too piercing.

And yes, fantastic for acoustic. Used it on I don't know how many records for that.

[engmix]

i own the manley cardiod and have had many hours with the gold at other studios. to me, the cardiod is a little less open sounding than the gold. but the card on the right singer is slamming! the gold is just an all around stunning mic.

[Ken Lewis]

Honestly, I used to use both alot, and i always liked the sound of the Black better than the gold. the gold seemed thinner and more hyped. i thought the black was a great vocal mic.

[degas]

Originally Posted by Ken Lewis

Honestly, I used to use both alot, and i always liked the sound of the Black better than the gold. the gold seemed thinner and more hyped. i thought the black was a great vocal mic.

This is my experience also.
I never liked the Gold that much, but the Ref C is excellent on (pop) vocals.

[MIKEHARRIS]

The ref cardiod is the most popular tube mic we sell...and as a vocal mic...has beaten the Gold is a shootout.
For vocals...a Ref Car...good pre & great comp will deliver the goods !!

I usually recommend Tube/ Solid State / Tube as the chain...tho this may be old school thinking

[Mind-Over-Midi]

Originally Posted by jjblair

I'll tell you that the option of having multiple patterns for vocal is a godsend, and you can adjust the patterns to suit your frequency response. If there's too much low end, I'll move towards hyper cardioid. If it's too bright, I'll go to figure 8. If I want more top end less proximity effect, omni will do the trick.

Patterns are your friend. In fact, when using a single mic, I change the patterns probably more for vocals than I do for any instruments.

Something to think about.

JJ; I really enjoy reading your posts! I've been doing this for quite sometime but there is always something else to learn, something new to try and see! Thanks for sharing!thumbsup

[MSR74]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MSR74
... but I kinda nifts me that the capsule is Chinese. I guess I'll just need to get over it...
Why does that bother you?

-andrews

Yeah...you are right... The main thing is that the mic needs to sound spectacular. The Referce Cardioid does certainly sound spectacular.

[Audi Uh Oh]

Just so I have an idea or comparison, how does the black or gold compare to the Pearlman TM-1?

Thanks!

Adios

[Schmeckitup]

I have the black, and love it dearly. It's a great sounding mic, which inspired my brother to buy one. His mic had a much more pronounced top than mine - enough that he had to use a duller pre to avoid sibilance. When I bought mine, I was lucky to get to go to the factory, sing into 6 capsules and choose the one that sounded best. If you can, try out a couple mics before buying one. Even with the same model, each one will sound a little different, and some will have a magic that others don't.