Opinions on the Manley Reference Cardioid

[Bob Amirian]

Originally Posted by AposL.

Hey everybody,

Im about 99% sure im going to get the Manley Ref Card. I have a UA 710 TF pre, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with that pre and the mic.

Thanks!

After four years of thorough usage, I can say that ManRefCard is a great, versatile and usable vocal mic.

We always start vocal sessions with it, and quite rarely we change it for Telefunken ELAM251, Brauner VM1, N U87.

It's not really good for acoustic guitars, double bass or horns, but I was very pleased when I heard an accordion through it.

I wouldn't buy a ManRefGold, it's too bright for Slavic languages, it gets quite harsh, so neither sound nor a choice of polar patterns don't make me buy it, because as a vocal mic it'd be set to cardioid anyway, so why pay that much more?

We use the ManRefCard mostly with Manley VoxBox (the main choice), Avalon AD2022 (for darker voices), Universal Audio 6176 (for a milder sound) or Chandler Germanium Pre (for brighter voices).

I don't care for the notion that recording a tube mic through a tube pre is evil, since ManRefCard and VoxBox give me an amazing sound, very close, very full and detailed, tailored to the need and taste.
It's a combo for life. thumbsup

Soon I'll try ManRefCard with Bock 5-zero-7, can't wait to hear it

[Bob Amirian]

Originally Posted by AposL.

Hey everybody,

Im about 99% sure im going to get the Manley Ref Card. I have a UA 710 TF pre, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with that pre and the mic.

Thanks!

UA 710 TF is not a great pre.

We have UA 4-710d since March for the test, and it's just plain lifeless, flat, very much Chinese and...tricky.

I find its tube circuit useless - it's definitely not what a proper tube would introduce to the sound, it's just a bit fuzzier in the highs.

Knobs feel tacky and I really hate to turn the Gain knobs - all four channels have a sudden boost between steps 3 and 4 - it's either not enough or too much.

If you can, sell it, save some money and get Avalon M5, Pacifica, Chandler Germanium Pre or whatever API - the difference will be huge. Especially when you stack some voices or guitars.

If you can't add any money, just sell it and get SPL Track One, it's not expensive and beats UA710 in no time - it's clean, classy and very useful. And... German

[BatMeckley]

The Ref C is the go to for probably 95% of my vocal sessions. Just great clarity and presence without being too harsh. It's really hard to beat it in the shootouts I've done with it, with any mic.
Pretty near impossible to beat it at it's price.

mB

[Bob Amirian]

Originally Posted by BatMeckley

The Ref C is the go to for probably 95% of my vocal sessions. Just great clarity and presence without being too harsh. It's really hard to beat it in the shootouts I've done with it, with any mic.
Pretty near impossible to beat it at it's price.

mB

+ 1

I compared it to the original AKG C12 after which it was "modeled" and recent C12VR.

Original C12 sounded virtually the same as RefC, eve the curves on the analyzer were identical.

C12VR doesn't match its ancestor, it doesn't have that dimension and silk around the voice.

Because of insane prices on the original C12 and a brilliant support from Manley, I chose what I found the best: RefC.

Now I'm waiting for the chance to test Bock 5-zero-7, I heard it's hands down the most versatile and classy mic on Earth... how slutty does it sound?

[Glamdring]

I'm thinking of demoing the Manley Ref Cardioid for male / female pop vox. Loads of great info on this thread, thought I'd give it a bump to see if I could get a few more opinions and feedback on this mic in 2011...

[Glamdring]

one last bump, now I'll be quiet!

[T_R_S]

Originally Posted by Bob Amirian

C12VR doesn't match its ancestor, it doesn't have that dimension and silk around the voice.

Maybe it's the singer and not the mic ... plenty of silk and dimension here with a VR
all Vocals and BG's recorded with a VR

Lap of Luxury

FWIW the Ref C is a great mic too... I bought 2 of them.

[rizeup7]

Originally Posted by Glamdring

I'm thinking of demoing the Manley Ref Cardioid for male / female pop vox. Loads of great info on this thread, thought I'd give it a bump to see if I could get a few more opinions and feedback on this mic in 2011...

Here's my opinion!



FANTASTIC mic! It's the newest addition to my facility, and it's quickly taking its place as the go-to over my M149 and Blue Bottle!

Shout out to BOWIE on the Mullard Tube! What a difference! +1 for the ManRefCard.

[Glamdring]

Wow ! It's certainly a thing of beauty. What chain you using over there?

Also, what did you like about the Mullard tube versus the stock tube?

[jcc449]

Yes I love reference C more than reference Gold! This is a great example where price doesn't always provide "better".

[rizeup7]

Originally Posted by Glamdring

Wow ! It's certainly a thing of beauty. What chain you using over there?

Also, what did you like about the Mullard tube versus the stock tube?

MY usual chain is: Ref C->TG2(alt. w/1073MPF->1176LN(alt. w/DBX 160X)->Rosetta 800->PTHD.

I liked the roundness and warmth with the Mullard, as opposed to the stock tubes sometimes brittleness. The stock tube would just be flat out HARSH in the high frequencies! After I replaced it? I kid you not, it was almost a completely different mic, FOR THE BETTER.

[Glamdring]

Cool. My chain is gonna be:

Ref Card ---> BAE 1073MP ---> CL1B ---> HEDD ---> Lynx AES16e

Was the tube swap a simple thing you can do yourself?

Thanks for the help!

[rizeup7]

Originally Posted by Glamdring

Cool. My chain is gonna be:

Ref Card ---> BAE 1073MP ---> CL1B ---> HEDD ---> Lynx AES16e

Was the tube swap a simple thing you can do yourself?

Thanks for the help!

No problem at all! As far as ease of swapping, BOWIE personally swapped it for me, but I watched him, and it seemed quite easy... Couple minutes at best.

[Old Reverbs]

Looking for a Calrec 3200.. Some one who got one for sale?

[Glamdring]

Originally Posted by rizeup7

No problem at all! As far as ease of swapping, BOWIE personally swapped it for me, but I watched him, and it seemed quite easy... Couple minutes at best.

Great. Did you consider a NOS Tele?

[rizeup7]

Originally Posted by Glamdring

Great. Did you consider a NOS Tele?

Sure did. They were the exact same price, so it really came down to preference, really. I wanted more warmth while smoothing out the high frequencies, as opposed to more air (NOS), so the Mullard was the choice for me! I have heard, however, that the Ref C, NOS Tele, 1073, and a bit of EQ will get you quite close to the Sony C800G, if you're looking for that...

[Glamdring]

Thanks rize, great info.

I'm gonna start with the stock tube and see how I go. I figure it's gonna be ace considering that's the tube Manley puts in there. I think if they thought other tubes were subjectively "better" it wouldn't stop them using them, even if the price of the mic was a little higher.

[lucey]

Originally Posted by Glamdring

Thanks rize, great info.

I'm gonna start with the stock tube and see how I go. I figure it's gonna be ace considering that's the tube Manley puts in there. I think if they thought other tubes were subjectively "better" it wouldn't stop them using them, even if the price of the mic was a little higher.

'Subjectively' and 'better' are not the same idea, for starters!

They use the tubes they can get in bulk that are solid performers, not a choice based on tonal nuance. A Mullard will move it in one direction, a Tele in another, as was said.

[Glamdring]

I understand that the choice of different tubes will move the mic one way or another.

Are you saying the stock tube is not chosen for its tonal characteristic? I would imagine it's chosen yes because it is a solid performer, but also because it has a bearing on how the microphone sounds, a decision most likely reached by some deliberation by the folks at Manley. At any rate I'm sure it makes for a great starting point.

[lucey]

It was around 2003 when EveAnna said to me that they care about availability when it comes to selecting a tube type for their gear, and the consistency of the stock they use when it comes to manufacturing with that tube tube ... not fine tonal subjectivity.

Which makes total sense from a business standpoint, consistency, etc. You can do the fine tonal tweaks on your end, as this discussion illustrates.

[abrstudios]

Okay so my budget got cut waaaay down from getting the sony c800g. I've have been hearing nothing but positive feedback on the Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone. My big question is how close can I get it to the c800g? Even if I had to modify the tubes with mullard or telefunk?....BTW what are the right tubes model/name for this mic?....

[guitarz]

Originally Posted by abrstudios

Okay so my budget got cut waaaay down from getting the sony c800g. I've have been hearing nothing but positive feedback on the Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone. My big question is how close can I get it to the c800g? Even if I had to modify the tubes with mullard or telefunk?....BTW what are the right tubes model/name for this mic?....

Hello

I got a Manley RefC too. I would like to know more info about exchange tubes too.

[Sqye]

.

OK, I just acquired a Ref C, as well, and should have it back from Manley in the next few days (repairs and upgrades).

I have used the Ref C with a Mullard tube in it for male and female vocals, many wind instruments, and hand percussion - and it was KILLER.

So, I'm wondering which Mullard tube you guys use, and what the swap procedure is.
...I'm thinking the swap procedure is simple, but any tricks?

I'll be using the mic for pop rock tenor vocals (style Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, early Phil Collins) ...and acoustic guitar.

So, I'm looking for a mic and tubes that can handle a large dynamic range, and give me some smooth, gentle harmonic distortion on high SPLs.

Will be tracking with my Buzz Audio ARC 1.1 (for pre and initial compression) - in a mostly anechoic 15'x15' CR (with oak floors).

Thanks, slutz.


.

[Salty James]

Pair of ManRefC's here.
I use them into a BAE 1028 (LPF @ 16khz and crank the 24 khz)> 1176
or
mic > API > La2a

The first is a total pop, but smooth sound. The second is very smooth and smokey sounding.

[roc]

I'm really considering the Manley Ref C .
How much are the tubes you are switching in.

[waldie wave]

I just replaced the tube on my Manley Cardioid Ref mic and it has made a huge difference. When I first bought the mic new I could not understand what the fuss was about. It sounded very mediocre and not at all flattering. Now that the tube has been replaced (with a good one) after three years of very little use (mainly non-use) it is totally amazing. I recently got a whole lot of tubes for my VariMu and other Manely gear. Unfortunately, a number of the tubes were noisy. I guess I had a bad tube when I first bought my mic. All I can say is this mic now smokes my U87s. It leaves them in the dust even though they are incredible mics. The Manley mic sounds amazing through the VoxBox (and with some Bricasti reverb). My mic has the 12AX7EH tube in it. It cost me NZ$47 for the tube, which is the best $47 I have ever spent. It only took a couple of minutes to change the tube. The Manley website has very clear instructions for changing the tube.

[guitarz]

The thing I notice on my Manley Ref C is that it has a huge output, I need to have my API turned almost all the way down.

Does the Manley Ref C come with some kind of preamp on-board?

What are the tubes you guys are exchanging your Ref C tubes for?

[mikeeeb]

I am thinking about getting a Manley C and running it through my Great River MP-2nv then through an Apogee Rosetta 800. Has anyone ever tried this combination. I am hoping the warmth of the Great River will allow it to be "poppy" enough, yet not sterile. I will be using it for pop vocals/acoustic vocals, acoustic guitar, and rap vocals. I am aiming for a more Hi-Fi type of sound than my KSM44 can offer. Anyone have any insight they can add to this discussion or advice? Should I try the mullard tube or the NOS maybe? Thank yaa

[Techone]

Originally Posted by mikeeeb

I am thinking about getting a Manley C and running it through my Great River MP-2nv then through an Apogee Rosetta 800. Has anyone ever tried this combination. I am hoping the warmth of the Great River will allow it to be "poppy" enough, yet not sterile. I will be using it for pop vocals/acoustic vocals, acoustic guitar, and rap vocals. I am aiming for a more Hi-Fi type of sound than my KSM44 can offer. Anyone have any insight they can add to this discussion or advice? Should I try the mullard tube or the NOS maybe? Thank yaa

A happy Manley Ref C owner here, purchased like a couple of months ago. My chain is not what you've mentioned. I'm using it with a Neve 1073 DPA -->RME FF800 --> using Softube CL1B during mixing. The result is sweet.

However same as waldie wave I've changed the stock tube which was a vintage GE JAN12AT7 to a vintage Military Mullard 12AT7wa which I purchased from BOWIE here on GS. It cost me including shipping to UK from US, $71.50.

I hope the above is some useful info.

[Mikeeyb]

I am wondering if anyone has tried the Manley on Rap/Hip hop vocals, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar. There seems to be plenty of information on the Manley being used on pop vocals, but very little on much else. If anyone can add some information, it would be fully appreciated!