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7th November 2011
| #1 |
| Gear addict Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Lisbon
Posts: 318
Thread Starter | Differences between Manley Vari-Mu and Thermionic Phoenix?
I want to buy a vary-mu compressor to use it on stereo bus or on a mastering chain. So I though on one of those 2. I had used the Vari-mu on some mastering sessions I assisted but never used the Phoenix. So, could someone help me on these, please? Thanks |
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7th November 2011
| #2 | |
| Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 218
| Quote:
the more you push the Phoenix: the more you get low end and air. VM: rock'n roll Phoenix: electro. I assume that it's a really really big shortcut and as big caricature...   | |
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7th November 2011
| #3 | |
| Lives for gear  Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Norfolk UK
Posts: 544
Verified Member | Quote:
__________________  www.phibarnmastering.co.uk | |
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7th November 2011
| #4 | |
| Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 218
| Quote:
And I prefer this one to a VM (excepted on some very thin tracks wich I sometimes find the VM better)  | |
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11th November 2011
| #5 |
| Banned Joined: Oct 2007 Location: europe
Posts: 1,548
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Phoenix is much deeper and bigger sounding than the Manley . Manley is more aggressive and maybe better for rock etc .... For acoustic music , jazz and classic Pheoenix is much better . When I think of manley I always hear ZZ Top in my head - don't know why Both units are really amazing - I like Phoenix better .... |
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13th November 2011
| #6 |
| Gear Head Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 35
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The Manley T-Bar modded Mu sounds more similar to the Phoenix. I found both more on the aggressive side (for a Mu of course) and abit too much (unplesant) high boosting. The Mu without the mod (which I bought in the mastering version) is more darker/warm and relaxed. I prefferd that. If you add a 150Hz HP you´re also ready to master/mix low bass heavy (electronic) music.
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13th November 2011
| #7 | |
| Lives for gear  | Quote:
There are some other nice Vari-mus around these days but you can't go wrong with either the Manley or the Phoenix. If you do more electronic styles of music then I would go the Phoenix, for rock/pop the Manley. Although when I had both my preference was the Phoenix for good mixes. BTW I noticed that there is a new mastering Phoenix out finally with proper stepped ELMA switches, looks nice! http://www.thermionicculture.com/pro...compressor.htm
__________________ Studios 301 | |
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13th November 2011
| #8 |
| Gear maniac  Joined: Jul 2006 Location: London
Posts: 287
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+1 for The Phoenix...low end is killer...
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14th November 2011
| #9 |
| Gear maniac  Joined: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 238
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I found this old variable-mu sort review thread from a few years ago...thermionic phoenix-manley vari-mu-pendulum ES-8 shootout I wish a variable-mu shootout can be re-done as there are alot more good manufactures producing variable-mu's |
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14th November 2011
| #10 | |
| Gear addict  Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Norway
Posts: 441
Verified Member | Quote:
r, j, | |
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14th November 2011
| #11 | |
| Lives for gear | Quote:
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14th November 2011
| #12 | |
| Gear addict Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Norway
Posts: 441
Verified Member | Quote:
 r, j, | |
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14th November 2011
| #13 |
| Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 238
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In another thread on GS, I can't find it at moment, someone mentions that the Manley with the t-bar mod sounds similar to the Phoenix. Does anyone else have any insight on this? |
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16th November 2011
| #14 |
| Gear Head Joined: Oct 2008 Location: London & Madrid
Posts: 40
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Hi I recently bought the new Thermionic Phoenix mastering PLUS and having played with the so popular manley varimu I have to say that this new version of the Phoenix is way much better and versatile than the manley... The phoenix PLUS is faster than the manley and it can handle more variety of music programs, when pushed is a distortion squeezer box and gently the compression is class and sounds expensive ( as it is! ) Amazing piece of equipment... and thank good those all rounded dodgy knobs are gone!, the new mastering plus has ELMA step switches and and chicken head knobs for the S/C...sexy as hell. 
__________________ WWW.JONATHANESPINOSA.COM WWW.MYSPACE.COM/JONATHANESPINOSA MUSIC PRODUCER & SOUND ENGINEER Protools Certified Instructor & ICON Expert. |
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16th November 2011
| #15 | |
| Gear Head Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 35
| Quote:
I found the Phoenix a bit too agressiv as the Vari Mu with T-Bar mod. If your are looking for a warmer and darker sound, get the Vari Mu without the mod (But a 150Hz second HP filter)! It´s good o hear, that the Phoenix has now ELMAs. Before that the chanel matching and buildquality was not realy nice... | |
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16th November 2011
| #16 |
| Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 238
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Thank you Jonathan & freequency for your insight as I am currently mastering ITB but will be purchasing my first analog comp very soon and a Variable Mu style compressor is at the top of my list. Once I'm able to get a hold of a demo of both units I'll make my decision but it is good understand some detail before hand. |
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17th November 2011
| #17 |
| Gear addict Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Lisbon
Posts: 318
Thread Starter |
Thanks for the advises!  I'm asking this for Santa Claus! Hope he is reading...  |
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31st January 2012
| #18 |
| Gear interested Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Watch City,Ma
Posts: 13
| Phoenix Disappointment :(
Gotta say the when we had the Phoenix w/SC for a couple of weeks at the studio we were very underwhelmed and had to return it much to the audio brokers displeasure..sorry just couldn't justify $4k for a unit that seemed to only get half the job done ie: lo end smooth top end sweet ..feel like the critical midrange and transients were compromised though. getting a Manley Vari-Mu to demo this week hoping it tells a different story.Love our STC-8 and 2500 and our pair of 2254/e's which i sold in the quest for a "better mousetrap",, |
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2nd February 2012
| #19 |
| Gear addict Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Lisbon
Posts: 318
Thread Starter |
The idea is to use it with my API 2500 too... I almost decided with Phoenix. But Santa Claus didn't brought it on Christmas... I've to wait a little bit more... |
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2nd February 2012
| #20 |
| Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Belgium // Brussels
Posts: 857
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Vari Mus ? a few years ago i demoed the phoenix master version side to the Knif Vari mu i ordered, 3 years later i still in love with this box. at unity gain the phoenix sounded like a fuzz box side to it, and when pushed the Knif sounded big whilst retaining depth and clarity. a clear winner for me, but the price range is not exactly the same ... the Pure mu might be a good one to look at for your budget PS :amorphous core lundhal sound extremely strait and tight i should add, no loss
__________________ no time________________no sound Frederic Alstadt Ångström mastering :::::::: mastering for the alternative FOR SALE: Custom PMC IB2s Speaker stands // Signex Smartpatch // |
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2 Days Ago
| #21 |
| Gear addict Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Lisbon
Posts: 318
Thread Starter |
And who does mastering with Phoenix?
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2 Days Ago
| #22 |
| Gear maniac Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 218
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quasi every guys who comment this topic. I do master with the phoenix limited mastering version (the first model with ELMA gain INPUT). I can't don't use it even for rock music. The VM is a really nice comp too, my all setup is more in adequation with the phoenix. You should choose between both in function of what you have around them. It's a chain, not only a piece of gear. If you have money... take them together |
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