Manley CORE Tube Reference Channel Strip Overview
The Manley CORE Tube Reference Channel Strip is a single-channel signal processor with an intuitive front panel layout that allows for quick and easy adjustment over mic preamp, compressor, EQ, and limiter settings. The Manley CORE incorporates many of Manley’s technological innovations including the preamp from the VOXBOX, featuring a hand-wound iron transformer with nickel laminations, negative feedback gain circuit, and triode vacuum tube circuit. The direct input offers an all discrete solid-state path with a 10 MΩ impedance.
The ELOP compressor, also borrowed from the VOXBOX, is an electro-optical (LA-2A style) limiter with a set ratio of 3:1. While other manufacturer’s designs have the compressor post mic pre, the Core places the circuit before the mic preamp making it near impossible to clip. This also shortens the signal path and ensures a quality, low noise signal.
The Manley CORE unit also features a Baxandall shelf EQs with a sweepable mid frequency and a fast FET “brickwall” limiter. The large VU meters offer a 3-way toggle switch for monitoring the compressor output, gain reduction and main output. Handmade in the USA, the unit is housed in 2U steel chassis with a CNC machined 1/4″ faceplate and inlaid with laser engraved inserts. The Manley CORE ships with an IEC power cable.
Preamplifier
- Input Level: Input attenuator or variable pad for mic, line, and DI
- Mic/Line: Switches between microphone and line/DI input
- High Pass Filter Switch: 120 Hz
- Mic Preamp Selectable Gain: 40 to 60 dB
- Line Amp Selectable Gain: 20 to 40 dB
- 48 Volt Phantom: 48v power for microphones requiring phantom power
- Phase reverse switch
- Direct In: 1/4″ direct Injection (DI) input for instruments
Compressor
- ELOP compressor (Electro-Optical Limiter)
- 3.1 ratio
- Continuously variable attack, release and, threshold control knobs
- Silent bypass switch
EQ
- Low Shelf Baxandall EQ: 80 Hz ±12 dB
- High Shelf Baxandall EQ: 12 kHz ±12 dB
- Sweepable Midrange Bell EQ: Switchable 100 Hz to 1 kHz or 1 to 10 kHz ±10 dB
Limiter
- FET “brickwall” limiter
- High ratio
- Fast attack
- Continuously variable threshold and release control knobs
- Peak limit LED indicator
- Output Range: -10 to +4 dB
VU Meter
- Large illuminated analog display
- 3-way Toggle Switch: O/P 1, O/P 2, and GR
- O/P 1: Direct output of preamp and compressor
- O/P 2: Main output
- GR: Compressor gain reduction
Manley CORE Additional Features
- Auto Mute Warm-up Delay: 30 seconds
- Hand-wound Manley iron input transformer
- Silent conductive plastic input attenuator
- Class A circuit topology
- Triode vacuum tubes on 300V B+ power supply
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For detailed specs and official info, visit the Manley CORE on Manley website







