Manley DUAL MONO TUBE DI Help!

DJH · 4th September 2006, 12:19 AM

I'm still a little bit unsure about is this the right thing for me?

My Tracking Setup...
Sp1200 into Distressor into Massive Passive....

I've been recommend to get a DI box between the SP1200 and the Distressor but what I REALLY want to know is, is there enough boost on the Manley tube DI that I won't have to invest in a pre amp?

I'm not recording any live vocals I just want my beats and analog syths to sound Fat!

I copied the manley tube spec below and noticed that it has a "gain Console boost" will this do me OK?

INPUT IMPEDANCE 10 meg ohm / 1 meg "In Sel" dependent
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE 150 ohms transformer balanced
GAIN CONSOLE BOOST -6 dB voltage : +17 dB power
GAIN UNITY -23 dB voltage : 0 dB power
GAIN AMP OUTPUT 0 dB voltage : 10 dB current (typical)
FREQ RESPONSE BASS FULL 12 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB
BASS MEDIUM 42 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB
GUIT / SYNTH 100 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB, 40 Hz -8 dB
GUIT MEDIUM 260 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB, 40 Hz -9 dB
GUIT BRIGHT 550 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB, 40 Hz -10 dB

Thanks...

Darren....

Steamy Williams · 4th September 2006, 02:17 AM

Well, contrary to what I said in your other thread, having just read the manual on Manley's website, it seems that it is designed to have mic pre after it.

FWIW, I use the front panel DI inputs on my Brent Averill (API stylee) 312A mic pres with my MPC60. Mic pres with a DI built in, like API's, would probably be a neater and more cost effective solution than buying the Manley and a mic pre to go with it.

Alternatively, if you're sure you don't need to accommodate microphones in your studio just now, and you're looking to keep the cost down, you could look into getting an instrument preamp (a DI that doesn't require a mic preamp, but doesn't accept mic signals like other pres) like the Avalon U5 or the Phoenix Nice DI - that would be even cheaper. The Avalon has a pretty clean sound, but you would have the option of using it with a colored mic pre if you get one further down the line, as it has a mic level output just like like ordinary DI's, in addition to the line level output. The line level output would be adequate for going straight into the Distressor or the Massive Passive.

Hope that helps.

H-Rezz · 4th September 2006, 04:19 AM

I own the Manley Dual Mono Tube D.I. and you definately need a Pre-Amp after it , the cleaner the pre the better , i found the Focusrite ISA 428 to be great for this task as it has a very clean 'uncoloured' hi fi'sh sound with virtually no noise to speak of ! The Manley sounds Fat and gives you that polished sound , the basic lo cut eq is fantastic for pulling out the extreme lo end on Instruments you know are going to muddy up the mix , so you can doctor them before they even get into you DAW eliminating much need to reach for lo-cut plugs .....

Hope this helps.....

cepia · 4th September 2006, 04:24 AM

The Tab-Funkenwerk V71 sounds perfect for what you need. It's a DI/pre with 36db of gain. Huge and smooth.

http://oliverarchut.com/id8.html

DJH · 4th September 2006, 02:05 PM

Once again,
thanks for the help guys and I'm gonna go for the Avalon U5 as stated by Steamy,this will suit me down to the ground for what I'm doing and its not to expensive...the tab Funk stuff can't find any dealers in the Uk on that....
So thanks for that...
All the best...

Darren....

themaidsroom · 4th September 2006, 02:55 PM

i have two of the manley dual mono di's and they are ok at best......
they have both had many issues.....they are often intermittant.....they have been through many tubes.....they have interupted takes....often the 1/4" jack needs shifting to make contact....and then they sound o.k., not huge, and they need mic pres......

these are brand new units that have never travelled......
i would do more research......

be well

- jack

mos · 4th September 2006, 03:55 PM

My vote would be for the Phoenix audio Nice DI. It has the same DI circuit as found on the DRS-2 Preamp, 40 DB gain(no need for a preamp after it), and you get a stereo unit for around the same price of an Avalon U5!

I just ordered one myself, should be here in like a week. I will share my experience with the unit on this forum.

**TonyBelmont** · 4th September 2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJH

Once again,
thanks for the help guys and I'm gonna go for the Avalon U5 as stated by Steamy,this will suit me down to the ground for what I'm doing and its not to expensive...the tab Funk stuff can't find any dealers in the Uk on that....
So thanks for that...
All the best...

Darren....

The U5 will not give you a big fat sound. It's more a bright sound with a controlled low end.

I can't recommend any Phoenix stuff, as I hear they are having difficulty delivering gear right now (according to some other threads in the Moan Zone).

Good fat DI? A Designs REDDI?.... http://adesignsaudio.com/reddi.htm

Steamy Williams · 5th September 2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

The U5 will not give you a big fat sound. It's more a bright sound with a controlled low end.

I can't recommend any Phoenix stuff, as I hear they are having difficulty delivering gear right now (according to some other threads in the Moan Zone).

Good fat DI? A Designs REDDI?.... A-Designs Audio: Quality without Compromise. For the finest in all tube microphone pramplifiers (mic pre), direct boxes, passive line level control, tube EQ and more!

Yeah, I have a REDDI and I highly recommend it. I don't usually think of it as an instrument preamp, because it still needs a bit more gain after it for things with passive pickups, like guitar, bass or Rhodes, which is why I didn't suggest it. Although Peter Montessi (from A-Designs) says that you don't necessarily need a mic preamp to boost the signal after the REDDI - the make up gain on a compressor would work, for instance. However, with the level coming out of the SP1200, the 16dB gain the REDDI provides should be enough to go straight into the Distressor or Massive Passive.

I also agree with Tony that the REDDI will give you a fatter sound than the Avalon, so his suggestion is a better than my one.

max cooper · 9th September 2006, 04:44 AM

Try a Wunder. Pretty big on the low end.

underworld · 5th May 2007, 03:37 AM

if you like the Manley sound - why not try the Manley mono (or dual mono) mic pre? It has a built-in DI (1/4" unbalanced) on the front - and it's a fantastic sounding mic pre IMHO.

i wouldn't trade my Manley Mono Pre for anything.

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4th September 2006, 12:19 AM	#1
DJH Gear interested Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London Posts: 21	Manley DUAL MONO TUBE DI Help! I'm still a little bit unsure about is this the right thing for me? My Tracking Setup... Sp1200 into Distressor into Massive Passive.... I've been recommend to get a DI box between the SP1200 and the Distressor but what I REALLY want to know is, is there enough boost on the Manley tube DI that I won't have to invest in a pre amp? I'm not recording any live vocals I just want my beats and analog syths to sound Fat! I copied the manley tube spec below and noticed that it has a "gain Console boost" will this do me OK? INPUT IMPEDANCE 10 meg ohm / 1 meg "In Sel" dependent OUTPUT IMPEDANCE 150 ohms transformer balanced GAIN CONSOLE BOOST -6 dB voltage : +17 dB power GAIN UNITY -23 dB voltage : 0 dB power GAIN AMP OUTPUT 0 dB voltage : 10 dB current (typical) FREQ RESPONSE BASS FULL 12 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB BASS MEDIUM 42 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB GUIT / SYNTH 100 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB, 40 Hz -8 dB GUIT MEDIUM 260 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB, 40 Hz -9 dB GUIT BRIGHT 550 Hz -15 kHz @ -3 dB, 40 Hz -10 dB Thanks... Darren....

4th September 2006, 04:24 AM	#4
cepia Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 227	The Tab-Funkenwerk V71 sounds perfect for what you need. It's a DI/pre with 36db of gain. Huge and smooth. http://oliverarchut.com/id8.html __________________ http://www.cepiamusic.com http://www.myspace.com/cepia

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4th September 2006, 02:17 AM	#2
Steamy Williams Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London (formerly Scotland) Posts: 831	Well, contrary to what I said in your other thread, having just read the manual on Manley's website, it seems that it is designed to have mic pre after it. FWIW, I use the front panel DI inputs on my Brent Averill (API stylee) 312A mic pres with my MPC60. Mic pres with a DI built in, like API's, would probably be a neater and more cost effective solution than buying the Manley and a mic pre to go with it. Alternatively, if you're sure you don't need to accommodate microphones in your studio just now, and you're looking to keep the cost down, you could look into getting an instrument preamp (a DI that doesn't require a mic preamp, but doesn't accept mic signals like other pres) like the Avalon U5 or the Phoenix Nice DI - that would be even cheaper. The Avalon has a pretty clean sound, but you would have the option of using it with a colored mic pre if you get one further down the line, as it has a mic level output just like like ordinary DI's, in addition to the line level output. The line level output would be adequate for going straight into the Distressor or the Massive Passive. Hope that helps.

4th September 2006, 04:19 AM	#3
H-Rezz Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,451	I own the Manley Dual Mono Tube D.I. and you definately need a Pre-Amp after it , the cleaner the pre the better , i found the Focusrite ISA 428 to be great for this task as it has a very clean 'uncoloured' hi fi'sh sound with virtually no noise to speak of ! The Manley sounds Fat and gives you that polished sound , the basic lo cut eq is fantastic for pulling out the extreme lo end on Instruments you know are going to muddy up the mix , so you can doctor them before they even get into you DAW eliminating much need to reach for lo-cut plugs ..... Hope this helps.....

4th September 2006, 02:05 PM	#5
DJH Gear interested Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: London Posts: 21	Once again, thanks for the help guys and I'm gonna go for the Avalon U5 as stated by Steamy,this will suit me down to the ground for what I'm doing and its not to expensive...the tab Funk stuff can't find any dealers in the Uk on that.... So thanks for that... All the best... Darren....

4th September 2006, 02:55 PM	#6
themaidsroom Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: nyc Posts: 2,865	i have two of the manley dual mono di's and they are ok at best...... they have both had many issues.....they are often intermittant.....they have been through many tubes.....they have interupted takes....often the 1/4" jack needs shifting to make contact....and then they sound o.k., not huge, and they need mic pres...... these are brand new units that have never travelled...... i would do more research...... be well - jack

4th September 2006, 03:55 PM	#7
mos Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 112	My vote would be for the Phoenix audio Nice DI. It has the same DI circuit as found on the DRS-2 Preamp, 40 DB gain(no need for a preamp after it), and you get a stereo unit for around the same price of an Avalon U5! I just ordered one myself, should be here in like a week. I will share my experience with the unit on this forum.

9th September 2006, 04:44 AM	#10
max cooper Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,819	Try a Wunder. Pretty big on the low end.

5th May 2007, 03:37 AM	#11
underworld Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 371	if you like the Manley sound - why not try the Manley mono (or dual mono) mic pre? It has a built-in DI (1/4" unbalanced) on the front - and it's a fantastic sounding mic pre IMHO. i wouldn't trade my Manley Mono Pre for anything.