Manley CORE® Reference Channel Strip

The CORE Tube Reference Channel Strip from Manley Labs 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 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 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 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
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

Manley Labs MCORE Specs
Input / Output
1 x Mic Input: Balanced transformer coupled XLR at 1.2 kΩ
1 x Line Input: Balanced XLR at 10 kΩ
1 x Direct Input: Unbalanced 1/4″ at 10 MΩ
1 x Main Output: Balanced XLR at 50 Ω
1 x Direct Output: Balanced XLR at 50 Ω
1 x Insert: 1/4″ TRS send at 50 Ω return at 13 kΩ
EQ Section
Baxandall Low Shelf: 90 Hz ±12 dB
Baxandall High Shelf: 12 kHz ±12 dB
Mid-Range Switchable Bell EQ: 100Hz to 1kHz or 1kHz to 10kHz ±10 dB
Compressor
Maximum Gain Reduction: 16 dB
Attack Time: 14 to 150 ms for 6dB compression
Release Time: 2.63 to 150 ms for 6dB compression
Limiter
Attack Time: 115 μs
Release Time: 2.3 to 300 ms
Tubes
1 x 12AX7WA for gain
1 x 6922 White Follower output
Maximum Input
Maximum Mic Input
Low Gain Setting: -5 dBu or 435mV RMS @ 0.5% THD
High Gain Setting: -25 dBu or 44mV RMS @ 0.5% THD
Max Line Input
Low Gain Setting: +13 dBu or 3.5V RMS @ 0.5% THD
High Gain Setting: -8 dBu or 300mV RMS @ 0.5% THD
Direct Input
Low Gain Setting: +24 dBu or 12V RMS @ 0.5% THD
High Gain Setting: +17 dBu or 5.5V RMS @ 0.5% THD
Insert Return: +20 dBu or 7.8V RMS @ 0.5% THD
Maximum Output
Maximum Preamp Output (Insert Send): +35 dBu or 43V RMS @ 0.5% THD
Maximum Main Output: +20 dBu
Main Output Impedance: 50 Ohms
Direct Output Headroom (Referenced to +4 dBv): 31 dB
Main Output Headroom (Referenced to +4 dBv): 16 dB
Dynamic Range
>90 dB
Frequency Response (Audio)
10 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.5 dB
THD & Noise
THD & Noise (1kHz @ +4 dBm): 0.02% at Low Gain setting
Noise Floor
Noise Floor (Gain Set to Minimum): -70 dB wideband typical
Gain
Microphone Input: 40 or 60 dB
Line Input: 20 or 40dB
EQ and Limiter Section: 10 dB
Power
Universal Power Supply: 90 to 254 VAC
Power Consumption: 35 W
Mains Voltage Frequency: 50~60 Hz
Rackmountable
2U
Dimensions
19.0 x 3.5 x 7.0″ / 48 x 9.0 x 18 cm
Weight
8 lb / 4 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
11.7 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
23.4 x 11.1 x 8.9″