Manley - opinions ? Should I look elswhere for expensive stuff?

[flex nes]

Hi,

It seems like Manley gear is not as popular on gear slutz as API, Crane Song and others

I have been wanting to buy a massive passive for a long time, but im maybe thinking about Ibis instead.
I have the feeling i cant go wrong with Crane Song

Any comments very welcome ! !

[Steffmo]

You can't buy gear like that based on someone elses opinion. Somehow you have to get yourself a way to listen to te options and decide, even if it means booking an hour at a studio to try something.

Both companies make superior gear. What suits somebody...even EVERYbody else might make you barf.

Anything said here is personal opinion. Everyone will want it to sound like FACT coming from their lips, but its just one persons opinion.

Of course their are some pretty smart folks here with good ears.....and they will all tell you the same thing.

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by flex nes

Hi,

It seems like Manley gear is not as popular on gear slutz as API, Crane Song and others

I have been wanting to buy a massive passive for a long time, but im maybe thinking about Ibis instead.
I have the feeling i cant go wrong with Crane Song

Any comments very welcome ! !

Hi

You know, it may be just me, but I hate subject lines worded like that.

Always remember that one man's meat is another's poison. Some swear by the Neve camp, others by the API, and Manley have thousands of satisfied clients... they just don't all post here!

So take any opinion with a pinch of salt until you can hear the units yourself, on your equipment and with your music.

[SighBorg]

It seems like Manley gear is not as popular on gear slutz as API, Crane Song and others

I have been wanting to buy a massive passive for a long time, but im maybe thinking about Ibis instead.

The Massive Passive is one of their pieces that is nearly universally liked.

[flex nes]

Hi Geoff_T !

Im trying to gain knowledge about this gear with reading about them,

its not possible for me to try before buy,
now im trying to understand what the Manley Slam! is.

I think i have understood a little about what the API 2500 and STC-8 is,
but i think its smart for me to learn abit more about other gear before i spend my cash on ebay

Thanks all for any comments indeed, I try to put everything into my understanding, and if you have links to useful reading,
please post a link !

cheers

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by flex nes

Hi Geoff_T !

Im trying to gain knowledge about this gear with reading about them,

its not possible for me to try before buy,
now im trying to understand what the Manley Slam! is.

I think i have understood a little about what the API 2500 and STC-8 is,
but i think its smart for me to learn abit more about other gear before i spend my cash on ebay

Thanks all for any comments indeed, I try to put everything into my understanding, and if you have links to useful reading,
please post a link !

cheers

Hi

Here's a link on the Slam! that you may have already seen...

http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/SLAM.html

There's up-to-date info at the end...

[staudio]

Manley gear is in my opinion very good. I enjoy the sound and I consider it to built better than almost anything else I have. Manley is one of the few companies that doesn't make anything I don't like. Ultimately though we all have to decide for ourselves what we think is the best tool for our needs.

[flex nes]

Im thinking the not very super accurate high frequencies on the Slam is perfect for me,
but it seems most people do not like it for whole mixes.
I will use it mainly for whole mixes, but I also need good preamps.

I guess you cannot buy the Slam mastering version without the converters ?

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by flex nes

Im thinking the not very super accurate high frequencies on the Slam is perfect for me,
but it seems most people do not like it for whole mixes.
I will use it mainly for whole mixes, but I also need good preamps.

I guess you cannot buy the Slam mastering version without the converters ?

Hi

What's a "very super accurate high frequencies"? Does that imply that the frequency coming in is not the frequency going out? That there is a frequency shift?

Or are you talking about level or phase differences?

I'm guessing that you might be reading posts by folk on another forum that are, to be polite, somewhat non-technical!

[narcoman]

Massive Passive is excellent but it is a very flavoured piece of gear. If you don't like that flavour , or your not particularly Pultec vibed (cuz the MP certainly has that kind of sound) then you're not going to bend it to your likeing. Its NOT neutral and, IMO, shouldnt be the only EQ you have.

[davedarling]

I've had a mono mic pre, and an el-op limiter for years, and love 'em. I've used them on dozens of records.

some people like chocolate, some like strawberry.

DD

[666666]

Manley gear (and sister gear Langevin) is AWESOME!!! Very worthy stuff.

Gear can be trendy. At the moment Manley does not seem to be trendy here, but in other places and at other times Manley gear has been extremely trendy... in some cases king. Anyone who follows trends though is a fool... follow your ears, not the trends.

Manley gear is excellent and timeless. It's worth checking out. As others have said, every unit out there has its own "thing", you need to decide what kinda "thing" you like and then search for it. Manley is indeed up there with the best of the best... so if you think it might be something that might satisfy your ears, surely give it a shot.

I've owned and still own Manley and Langevin gear... and will likely always own some. I'm always reaching for it in the studio.

A Massive Passive is indeed a very colored unit, and an IBIS, though I have not heard one, I am guessing it's less colored (going by the sound of other Crane Song gear I own). Hard to compare, two different sounding units. If you are not sure what these things truly sound like, you do really need to take a listen before you buy. Or buy both and use both for a while unitl you really understand the sonic characteristics / differences, then either keep both or sell the one that you do not use as much.

[OurDarkness]

Originally Posted by 666666

Manley gear (and sister gear Langevin) is AWESOME!!! Very worthy stuff.

A Massive Passive is indeed a very colored unit, and an IBIS, though I have not heard one, I am guessing it's less colored (going by the sound of other Crane Song gear I own). Hard to compare, two different sounding units. If you are not sure what these things truly sound like, you do really need to take a listen before you buy. Or buy both and use both for a while unitl you really understand the sonic characteristics / differences, then either keep both or sell the one that you do not use as much.

I have heard that the Massivo is very transparent because it's... passive. On the other some people find it colored - maybe Pultec-like. Maybe it's the tubes at the output that color the sound?

[pendejo]

Flexnes - LA8PV?

[flex nes]

Originally Posted by Geoff_T

Hi

Here's a link on the Slam! that you may have already seen...

http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/SLAM.html

There's up-to-date info at the end...

Thanks for the link,
from what i READ ( i understand that is not a perfect way to evalue audio gear ), the analog mastering version of Slam must be the coolest piece of gear ever made.
I get the feeling this is as opposite of plugins I can get, which is what im looking for

cheers

[walth]

The Variable MU and Massive Passive EQ are staples in recording studios world wide. the massive passive and vox box are also commonly used pieces of gear.

[Rob King]

I agree with the 6's. Gear can be trendy and there is no better place for it to be than on Gearslutz. Last year was the Pacifica,500 Series and any resemblence of a Neve clone, this year...who knows. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad thing either. It keeps all these great little boutique companies in business and that is a good thing and I am also a proud owner of Neve's, Neve clones, 500 series and two of my most valued pieces, the Manley SLAM!'s.

You really need to listen to what is best for YOU and your work. What sounds best to YOU and the goal you have in mind to make your perfect recording. One thing that most of us on here can agree that there is no one piece of gear for every job and we all hear things differently. It is easy to jump on the flavor of the month club but educate yourself on what all the gear sounds like. I have been doing this the last 10 years and it has helped me tremendously.

On that note...Manley gear is great. ...and so is gear from a lot of other manufacturers. They are all weapons of choice.

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by OurDarkness

I have heard that the Massivo is very transparent because it's... passive. On the other some people find it colored - maybe Pultec-like. Maybe it's the tubes at the output that color the sound?

Transparent is the LAST thing it is !!

[flex nes]

Originally Posted by OurDarkness

I have heard that the Massivo is very transparent because it's... passive. On the other some people find it colored - maybe Pultec-like. Maybe it's the tubes at the output that color the sound?

Is the tubes at the output stage the thing? I thought everything was tubes

[OurDarkness]

Originally Posted by flex nes

Is the tubes at the output stage the thing? I thought everything was tubes

Not really, the equalization part is very clean, all passive circuits. After the EQ process, the volume is low, so they have tubes to amplify the sound. It must be the tubes that color the sound.

[slickscrilla]

the massive passive is great..I love it...

[beginagain]

DEAR FLEX

YOU NEED TO DO A WHOLE LOT MORE RESEARCH AND THEN TRY AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO LISTEN TO THE IBIS AND MASS PASS (AND OTHERS) ON GOOD MONITORS IN A GOOD ROOM WITH MATERIAL YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH. DON'T BUY UNTIL YOU ARE SURE IT'S THE RIGHT GEAR FOR YOU......

I HAVE THE IBIS AND AN API 5500 EQ AND EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE BOTH AMAZING EQ'S, THEY ARE VERY VERY DIFFERENT. THE IBIS IS SIMPLY MAGICAL AT CUTTING OR BOOSTING AS MUCH AS YOU WANT ON AN INCREDIBLE RANGE OF FREQUENCIES (IT HAS ABOUT THREE TIMES AS MANY AS THE 5500) WITHOUT CHANGING THE QUALITY OR TONE OF THE TRACK/MIX/MASTER. AMAZING

THE 5500 HOWEVER CAN MAKE A PART STAND OUT IN A VERY MUSICAL AND ATTENTION GRABBING WAY ... AGAIN WITHOUT AFFECTING EVERYTHING ELSE

I TOTALLY DIG THEM BOTH AND USE THEM EQUALLY FOR DIFFERENT THINGS

GOOD LUCK ........... READ MORE ....... LISTEN MORE

MICHAEL V JUST JAMMIN'

[vernier]

Manley gear is based on old proven designs ..you use it then pass it on to the next generation like an heirloom.

'

[whitepapagold]

Originally Posted by Rob King

Last year was the Pacifica,500 Series and any resemblence of a Neve clone.

Man is that 100% on the MONEY! The 500 series thing got stupid!

[erock]

I've never used Manley stuff. I only know a local studio with a handful of their stuff like the vari-mu, massive passive, vox box, and from the impression that I get from the Manley stuff, its very tubey. I think vernier has it right about the old design concept. it works, its good, its beefy, that's why a lot of people use them. I think I'd like to invest in a Vari-Mu myself one day.

Sorry I don't have any info on the MP, but hopefully some of this helps.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by OurDarkness

Not really, the equalization part is very clean, all passive circuits. After the EQ process, the volume is low, so they have tubes to amplify the sound. It must be the tubes that color the sound.

A big part of the sound in Manley gear is the sound of their transformers not the tubes.

In fact the Massive Passive EQ is a hybrid EQ;

It has a solid state class A/B preamp to boost the signal before it hits the passive EQ design. The reason is there is a signal loss between the different stages of the passive section of the EQ(and their are 4 in the Massive Passive). Instead of making it up in the end which would influence the tone alot by the makeup gain, it was decided to makeup the gain in the beginning enough so as not to have too many losses and still maintain the tone.

Now if you want the sound to be even cleaner you can bypass the trannies all together by taking the output from the unbalanced outs.

The Massive Passive EQ is like any tool perfect for some situations and not the best for others. Like anything its best to try it out and see if it fits in your sonic pallete.

[Led]

Massive Passive HP an LP filters are totally awesome. I use mine on a lot of stuff just for filtering. Thrill has a good point, you can use the 1/4" outputs if you want less color.

[OurDarkness]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

A big part of the sound in Manley gear is the sound of their transformers not the tubes.

In fact the Massive Passive EQ is a hybrid EQ;

It has a solid state class A/B preamp to boost the signal before it hits the passive EQ design. The reason is there is a signal loss between the different stages of the passive section of the EQ(and their are 4 in the Massive Passive). Instead of making it up in the end which would influence the tone alot by the makeup gain, it was decided to makeup the gain in the beginning enough so as not to have too many losses and still maintain the tone.

Now if you want the sound to be even cleaner you can bypass the trannies all together by taking the output from the unbalanced outs.

The Massive Passive EQ is like any tool perfect for some situations and not the best for others. Like anything its best to try it out and see if it fits in your sonic pallete.

Thrill,

thanks for clarifying this one.

[KevinNYC]

I've owned Manley gear since the early 90's (ELOP, dual mono mic pre, 2 eqp1a's, 2 single channel comps).

Absolutely freakin love them. Every engineer/producer friend I've lent them to has loved them also.

As has been said a million times, the build quality is superb and as the post says above they'll become an heirloom to pass along to your kin after you're gone.

As has also been said a million times over only your ears will tell you what gets you off.

[James Meeker]

About 10 years ago Manley and Avalon were pretty popular... the audio world was a little bit smaller. Since then a lot of new companies have come around. In a lot of ways GEAR MANIA is fueled by "newest-bestest" kind of mentality and a healthy dose of elitism.

Plus, people tend to devalue stuff they own or have owned, and put stuff they've only read about on pedestals.

Best bet is to try stuff out for yourself and see how it fits into what you are doing. That way you'll know for sure.

That being said, the Ibis versus Massive Passive is kind of apples and oranges. They're both EQ's but very different experiences from one another. MP probably has more character, but the Ibis is a bit more versatile. Both are rocking pieces.