Manley Laboratories, Inc. is an American manufacturer of
pro audio
Professional audio, abbreviated as pro audio, refers to both an activity and a category of high quality, studio-grade audio equipment. Typically it encompasses sound recording, sound reinforcement system setup and audio mixing, and music produc ...
equipment, including
microphone
A microphone, colloquially called a mic or mike (), is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and publ ...
s,
signal processor
Signal processing is an electrical engineering subfield that focuses on analyzing, modifying and synthesizing ''signals'', such as sound, images, and scientific measurements. Signal processing techniques are used to optimize transmissions, di ...
s,
dynamic range processors,
equalizers,
converters, and
specialized mastering products. Manley is located in
Chino, California
Chino ( ; Spanish for "Curly") is a city in the western end of San Bernardino County, California, United States, with Los Angeles County to its west and Orange County to its south in the Southern California region. Chino is adjacent to Chi ...
.
Company origins
Recording 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
A leak is a way (usually an opening) for fluid to escape a container or fluid-containing system, such as a tank or a ship's hull, through which the contents of the container can escape or outside matter can enter the container. Leaks are usually ...
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. and a secondary brand Manley was established in 1988, 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
Ampeg is a manufacturer best known for its bass amplifiers. Originally established in 1946 in Linden, New Jersey by Everett Hull and Stanley Michaels as "Michael-Hull Electronic Labs," today Ampeg is part of the Yamaha Guitar Group. Although ...
from 1967―1971, and a
Bill Graham lecture she attended while a music student at
Columbia University
Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...
, 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.
Eleanor Goldfield, “Made in CA: The Manley Schematic,” SonicScoop.com, September 2013
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Timeline of noteworthy products
* 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
{{reflist
External links
Manley Labs Website
EveAnna Manley Interview
NAMM Oral History Library (2020)
See also
* Vacuum tube
A vacuum tube, electron tube, valve (British usage), or tube (North America), is a device that controls electric current flow in a high vacuum between electrodes to which an electric potential difference has been applied.
The type known as ...
* Valve audio amplifier
A valve audio amplifier ( UK) or vacuum tube audio amplifier ( US) is a valve amplifier used for sound reinforcement, sound recording and reproduction.
Until the invention of solid state devices such as the transistor, all electronic amplifica ...
Music equipment manufacturers
Manufacturers of professional audio equipment
Audio amplifier manufacturers
Microphone manufacturers
Manufacturing companies based in California
Companies based in San Bernardino County, California
American companies established in 1988
Technology companies established in 1988
Manufacturing companies established in 1988
Audio equipment manufacturers of the United States