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Manley Laboratories

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Manley Laboratories, Inc.
Company typeCorporation
Founded1988; 36 years ago (1988)
HeadquartersChino, California
Key people
EveAnna Dauray Manley
ProductsPro audio equipment, Microphones, Signal processors, Dynamic range processors, Equalizers, Converters, Audio mastering products
Number of employees
32[1] (2014)
Websitewww.manley.com

Manley Laboratories, Inc. is an American manufacturer of pro audio and high-end audio equipment located in Chino, California.

The first Manley-branded products were introduced in 1989, with Manley Laboratories becoming an independent company in 1993. Manley's products include microphones, signal processors, dynamic range processors, equalizers, converters, specialized mastering products, tube audio amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and preamplifiers.

History

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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 amplifiers. In 1983, the first Vacuum Tube Logic (VTL) tube power amplifiers and preamplifiers went into full-fledged production in the UK for the European market. David, joined by his son Luke introduced the amplifiers to the US market at the 1986 Consumer Electronics Show, where the positive reception convinced them to expand their distribution to the US. Production was eventually moved to Chino, California as Vacuum Tube Logic of America, Inc. (VTL).[2]

In 1988, VTL established Manley Laboratories 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 audio market. That same year, EveAnna Dauray, on sabbatical from Columbia University, had traveled to California. Armed with a few business contacts from her stepfather Albert J. Dauray, who had been part owner of vacuum tube bass amplifier manufacturer Ampeg from 1967―1971, EveAnna had aspirations of getting a job with a guitar amp manufacturer like Crate or Fender. She ended up contacting David and Luke Manley, who hired her to work on the VTL production line building products. After training a new team of assemblers, EveAnna moved into the quality control department.[1]

The first Manley Laboratories-branded products tailored specifically for professional recording studio use were created, namely the 60 dB Microphone Preamplifier, followed by the Manley Enhanced Pultec Equalizer. These products, along with the Reference Cardioid and Reference Gold microphones, were introduced at the 1990 AES Convention in Los Angeles.[1][3]

David and EveAnna eventually married. In April 1993, David and Luke Manley decided to part ways, with Luke creating a new company, VTL Amplifiers, Inc., and David and EveAnna establishing Manley Laboratories, Inc. and opening a new factory at 13880 Magnolia Ave. in Chino.[4][5] EveAnna worked her way through every segment of the company: testing, prototyping, engineering, purchasing, sales, service, and production management.[6] In 1996 David Manley moved to France, leaving EveAnna to run the company. Over the next three years, Manley sales doubled. David and EveAnna divorced, and on June 10, 1999, EveAnna Dauray Manley officially assumed the duties of President, CEO and sole owner of Manley Laboratories, Inc. when David resigned as President and assigned his share of the company to her.[3]

In 2010, the first Manley-branded plug-ins, based on the Massive Passive EQ, were released by Universal Audio,[7][8] with plug-in versions of Manley's Variable Mu limiter compressor, VOXBOX channel strip, and Microphone Preamplifier later released.[9][10]

Timeline of noteworthy products

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  • 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

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  1. ^ a b c Crane, Larry (May 2014). "EveAnna Manley: Behind The Gear with Manley Labs". Tape Op. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  2. ^ Harley, Robert (June 1, 1991). "David Manley: Tubes, Logic, & Audiophile Sound". Stereophile. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Doris, Frank (January 23, 2021). "EveAnna Dauray Manley of Manley Labs". PS Audio. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Serinus, Jason Victor (June 1, 2007). "Luke Manley and Be Lam of VTL: Vital Sound". Stereophile. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Serinus, Jason Victor (January 2, 2013). "David Manley, Tube-Amplifier Pioneer, Has Died". Stereophile. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  6. ^ Goldfield, Elenor (September 18, 2013). "Made in CA: The Manley Schematic". Sonic Scoop. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "Universal Audio Partners With Manley Labs To Unveil Massive Passive EQ Plug-Ins For UAD-2". ProSoundWeb. January 22, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Noren, Frederick (July 2010). "Universal Audio UAD2 Massive Passive". Sound On Sound. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Weiss, David (November 11, 2014). "How the Emulation Is Made: Universal Audio's Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor Plugin". Sonic Scoop. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  10. ^ Vnuk Jr., Paul. "Universal Audio Manley VOXBOX Channel Strip Plug-in for UAD-2". Recording. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
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See also

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