Manley Laboratories, Inc. is an American manufacturer of pro audio equipment, including microphones, signal processors, dynamic range processors, equalizers, converters, and specialized mastering products. Manley is located in Chino, California.
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Company type | Corporation |
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Founded | 1988 |
Headquarters | Chino, California |
Key people | EveAnna Dauray Manley |
Products | Pro audio equipment, Microphones, Signal processors, Dynamic range processors, Equalizers, Converters, Audio mastering products |
Website | www |
History
editRecording and film engineer David Manley began designing high fidelity vacuum tube amplifiers in South Africa in 1980. The earliest units he produced were modified LEAK amplifiers. In 1983, the first Vacuum Tube Logic (VTL) tube power amplifiers and preamplifiers went into full-fledged production for the European market in the UK. David, joined by his son Luke introduced the amplifiers to the US market at the 1986 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where the positive reception convinced them to expand their distribution to the U.S.. Production was eventually moved to Chino, California as Vacuum Tube Logic of America, Inc..
In 1988, VTL established Manley as a secondary brand, first producing what was conceived as upper echelon high fidelity vacuum tube power amplifiers and preamplifiers for the high fidelity home market. In 1989, the first products tailored specifically for professional studio use under the Manley brand were created, namely the 60 dB Microphone Preamplifier followed by the Manley Enhanced Pultec Equalizer. By 1993, the Manley brand had expanded, encompassing a complete range of studio products from microphones, dynamic units, equalizers, converters and specialized mastering products. In April 1993, David Manley and Luke decided to part ways, with Luke creating a new company, VTL Amplifiers, Inc., and David (and his wife EveAnna Dauray Manley) opening a new factory, Manley Laboratories, Inc..
Inspired by her stepfather Albert J. Dauray, who had been part owner of vacuum tube amplifier manufacturer Ampeg from 1967―1971, and a Bill Graham lecture she attended while a music student at Columbia University, EveAnna Dauray Manley had traveled to California in 1989, with a few of her stepfather’s business contacts in hopes of getting a job with a guitar amp manufacturer like Crate or Fender, and ended up getting a job at VTL. EveAnna worked her way through every segment of the company, eventually managing the Manley Laboratories, Inc. factory, sales, distribution, and customer service. David Manley eventually moved to France, and on June 10, 1999, EveAnna Dauray Manley officially assumed the duties of President, CEO and sole owner of Manley Laboratories, Inc. when he resigned as President and assigned his share of the company to her.[1][2][3][4][5]
Timeline of noteworthy products
edit- 1990–1994 Manley 60 dB Mic Preamp
- 1990–1997 Manley Reference A to D Converter featuring UltraAnalog ADCs
- 1990–present Manley Enhanced Pultec EQ
- 1990–present Manley Mid Frequency Pultec EQ
- 1990–present Manley Reference Gold Microphone
- 1990–present Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone
- 1990–present Manley ML10 Tannoy cabinets with The Mastering Lab crossover
- 1991–1997 Manley Limiter Compressor Monoblock
- 1993–2016 Manley ELOP® Stereo Limiter
- 1994–2000 Manley Reference DAC featuring UltraAnalog DACs
- 1994–present Manley Stereo Variable Mu® Limiter Compressor
- 1994–present Manley 500/200 Watt Monoblock Amplifier
- 1996–present Manley VOXBOX® Combo
- 1997–present Manley 250/100 Watt Monoblock Amplifier
- 1998–present Manley Massive Passive Stereo Equalizer
- 1998–2013 Manley STINGRAY® Stereo Integrated Amplifier
- 1999–2010 Manley WAVE DAC+Preamplifier
- 1999–2013 Langevin (or Manley) Dual Vocal Combo
- 2000–present Manley Neo-Classic SP/PP Monoblock Amplifier
- 2001–present Manley STEELHEAD® Phono Preamplifier
- 2002–present Manley SLAM!® Stereo Limiter and Micpre
- 2002–present Manley Neo-Classic 300B Premplifier
- 2002–present Manley SNAPPER Monoblock Amplifier
- 2003–present Manley MAHI Monoblock Amplifier
- 2004–present Manley SKIPJACK® Switcher
- 2006–2019 Manley TNT Microphone Preamplifier
- 2008–2014 Manley 16x2 Rack Mount Mixers
- 2010–present Manley MicMAID microphone+preamplifier switcher
- 2012–present Manley CHINOOK Phono Stage
- 2014–present Manley CORE®+ Reference Channel Strip
- 2015–present Manley FORCE® Four Channel Micpre
- 2016–present Manley ELOP®+ Stereo Limiter Compressor
- 2016–present Manley Nu Mu Stereo Limiter Compressor
- 2017–present Manley Reference Silver Microphone
- 2018–present Manley Absolute Headphone Amplifier
References
edit- ^ Robert Harley, “David Manley: Tubes, Logic, & Audiophile Sound,” Stereophile, June 1991
- ^ Jason Serinus, "Luke Manley and Be a Lam of VTL: Vital Sound," Stereophile, July 2007
- ^ Jason Victor Serinus, “David Manley, Tube-Amplifier Pioneer, Has Died,” Stereophile, January, 2013
- ^ Larry Crane, "EveAnna Manley: Behind The Gear with Manley Labs," TapeOp #101, May/June 2014
- ^ Eleanor Goldfield, “Made in CA: The Manley Schematic,” SonicScoop.com, September 2013