Manley Labs CORE Tube Reference Channel Strip

Enhance your audio recording experience with the CORE Tube Reference Channel Strip, a groundbreaking product introduced by Manley Labs in 2014. This versatile and user-friendly channel strip is powered by a Class A high-voltage tube mic preamp and ELOP Compressor, complemented by a sweepable mid EQ with high and low shelves, and a fast brick-wall FET limiter.

The CORE Tube Reference Channel Strip is a testament to Manley Labs' 25-year legacy of producing top-tier recording studio equipment. It encapsulates the company's core technologies, blending Manley's most successful features with innovative technology. The front panel is designed to be remarkably intuitive, featuring musical and forgiving circuitry that allows musicians to focus on their performance, rather than getting lost in a sea of knobs.

The CORE Tube Reference Channel Strip is handcrafted in the U.S.A and built to last. It features a renowned hand-wound MANLEY IRON input transformer with nickel laminations in a mu-metal can. The tube amplifying stage is the latest implementation of Manley's famous Class A circuit topology, found in the VOXBOX and Manley Dual Mono & Mono Microphone Preamplifiers. This all-triode vacuum tube circuit runs on a regulated 300 Volt B+ supply, providing immense headroom and relentless output drive capability.

The front panel controls include a 48V Phantom power switch, 120Hz High Pass Filter switch, Phase Invert switch, Input Attenuator (Variable Pad), Mic Pre Selectable Gain (40dB or 60dB), and Line Amp Selectable Gain (20dB or 40dB). The 1/4" Direct Input is similar to the DI in the Manley SLAM!, featuring an all-discrete solid-state circuit with 10 Meg Ohm input impedance, perfect for guitars, bass, keyboards, and more.

The compressor features Manley's successful ELOP technology, also found in their famous Manley VOXBOX. The compressor is uniquely positioned before the Mic Preamp, making it virtually impossible to clip. The equalizer features Low and High Baxandall Shelves (80Hz and 12kHz) with +/-12dB range and a Sweepable Midrange Bell EQ (100Hz - 1kHz) or (1kHz - 10kHz) with +/-10dB range. The limiter is a fast attack FET "brickwall" limiter with continuously variable Threshold and Release controls.

The CORE Tube Reference Channel Strip also features a large illuminated analog display with a 3-way meter-select switch that shows Compressor Gain Reduction, Mic pre Output Level, and Main Output audio levels. The inputs and outputs include Balanced XLR Mic Input, Balanced XLR Line Input, Front Panel Direct Instrument 1/4" Input, Insert point between Mic Preamp and EQ/Limiter via 1/4" TRS jack, Balanced XLR Direct Output (after Preamp/Compressor section), and Balanced XLR Main Output. The unit is housed in a rigid 2U steel chassis with a deluxe CNC-machined 1/4" thick faceplate with inlaid laser-engraved inserts, all locally sourced in Southern California.

In summary, the Manley CORE Tube Reference Channel Strip is a high-quality, durable, and user-friendly audio recording equipment that delivers exceptional sound quality and performance.