Manley Reference Gold Microphone

REFERENCE GOLD
MULTI-PATTERN TUBE MICROPHONE

Extension & Air. THE Reference.

When fidelity is the goal, the Manley Reference Gold Mic is the solution. Its nimble CK12-style American-made capsule, open grille, and continually adjustable pickup pattern design allow it to hear deep into a room, capturing nuances and subtleties that other mics miss. It is real. It is the truth.

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“I heard every single nuance of my voice and learned more about myself in that session than I had thought possible. The clarity is unparalleled. It’ll show you your true voice and it’ll push you to be a better artist. If you’re serious about recording your vocals, you need this.”

– Taylor R, Manley Customer –

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DETAILS

The MANLEY GOLD REFERENCE MULTI-PATTERN MICROPHONES are a statement, quite simply, of the finest microphones that money can buy in the pursuit of truly accurate musical recordings. The Gold Reference Series employ our own design of large capsules (1.25 inch overall, 1 inch diaphragm diameter) which are executed to precise tolerances made possible by modern micro-milling machinery available today in California. The capsule rings and back-plates are milled from solid brass. The gold diaphragm film comes from Germany and is tensioned using proprietary techniques by David Josephson ensuring capsule-to-capsule constancy, combined with the speed, "air", and superb ultra-high frequency response you have only dreamt about.

The all-tube electronics in the MANLEY REFERENCE SERIES MICROPHONES are built around two triodes in cascade forming an entire gain-block. We currently use a dual-triode 12AX7 tube, easily obtainable and replaceable, mounted in a ceramic socket. (We originally used 6072A until it became impossible to find quiet ones out of the NOS dreck left on the market.) The output is coupled through a MANLEY output transformer of unparalleled quality and substantial physical size employing nickel laminations with "hum bucking" bi-filar windings, encased in mu-metal. The polar pattern control is continuously variable between the OMNI, CARDIOID, and FIGURE 8 positions vastly increasing this mic’s versatility. The Gold Mics make it possible to exactly tailor the proximity effect to achieve the desired character.

We have chosen a very open weave stainless-steel grille for the capsule window which allows all the highs to reach the capsule unimpaired letting the engineer choose if, when, and how much pop screen is appropriate. As a result, the Reference Gold reaches to the furthest extremes of highs and lows with gorgeous natural acoustic smoothness. Some engineers tell us it sometimes "hears" more than they do! A locking 7-pin XLR connector for the power supply cable carries the stringently filtered and regulated voltages from the separate dedicated MANLEY POWER® power supply. The audio signal exits the PSU via a traditional 3-pin XLR jack. The microphone body is machined from brass providing excellent shielding properties, polished to a high lustre, then plated with 24 karat gold for an impressive finish, inspiring confidence in artists and producers.

Our proprietary precision suspension system is provided with each REFERENCE MICROPHONE (the capsule itself is mounted onto a neoprene-rubber shock-mount.) Because the entire working "guts" of the microphone may be removed for service in one piece from the housing, it is envisioned that the microphone need not be removed from the suspension. We also provide a very useful swivel of our own design with every REFERENCE MICROPHONE; its T-bar handle and locking clutch action require no tools to adjust. And no MANLEY microphone would be complete without a genuine leather capsule protector which slips (and ties) onto the end of the microphone to protect the capsule when not in use.

DRIVEN BY MANLEY POWER®

As of June 2020, the Reference Gold also utilizes our new MANLEY POWER® Switch-Mode Power Supply.

This new power supply is empirically quieter than the older linear PSUs. Sonically, we hear faster highs, generally more clarity, and ‘blacker blacks’ in the silence. The new power supply is also universal - accepting any voltage or frequency - so it works anywhere in the world without a voltage changeover switch or power transformer rewiring.

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SPECIFICATIONS

• All-Tube triode design 12AX7 or 7025EH (Previous versions used 12AT7 and 6072)
• -10 dB switchable pad
• Frequency response: 10Hz-30KHz
• Sensitivity: 17mV/Pa
• Noise typically -120dB EIN
• Max SPL: 150dB
• Output Impedance: 250 Ohms
• Weight: 2.25 lbs (mic)
• Size: 2" x 9.7" x 4.5" (mic including suspension)
• Shipping weight: 15 lbs

POWER SUPPLY

• As of 6/2020 SMPS Power Supply versions REFGOLD7P####:
• Universal MANLEY POWER™ Switch Mode Power Supply; works worldwide
• Power Consumption: 8 Watts
• Weight / Dims: 2.35 lbs / 5 x 3.3 x 9.3” (with handle)
• Fuse: 250VAC 2A SLO BLO Ceramic - 5mm x 20mm
• Input Voltage: 90VAC to 250VAC (Universal)
• Mains Frequency: 50~60Hz

OLDER LINEAR POWER SUPPLY VERSION pre-2020:

• Outboard Power Supply is factory set for 100V, 120V or 220-240VAC operation for original destination country's mains voltage.
• Operating Mains Voltage changeable with power transformer re-wiring via internal jumpers and fuse value change.
• Older units might have 120-220V Voltage changeover switch
• Size: 5" x 9.3" x 3.3" (PSU including handle)
• Weight: 2.6 lbs (PSU)
• Mains Voltage Frequency: 50~60Hz
• Mains Fuse Value: 250mA @ 100~120V; 125mA @ 220~240V operation
• Mains Fuse Type: 5mm x 20mm SLO-BLO Glass or Ceramic
• (older units used 1/4” x 1 1/4” size MDA or MDL type)
• Power Consumption: 70mA @ 120V = 8.4 Watts

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TECHNICAL NOTES

If you need to make a tube conversion, please contact our tech support folks. Or if you want to stick with the 6072 tube, you can try to find some on the open market. We have none in stock anymore.

Note: The custom transformerless internal preamp version is NO LONGER available to order.

Another note: Older units with two connectors on the base of the microphone had a a locking 4-pin connector to receive the B+ and Heater voltages from the PSU and a second locking 3 pin gold XLR connector for the audio signal output. This allowed the audio to be picked off right at the microphone so that the customer could use whatever cabling he desired.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I just got one of your new microphones! What does that red button do on the power supply?

With MANLEY POWER® switch-mode microphone power supplies from mid-2020 onwards (see image on right), there is a red power switch / indicator on the rear side. With an IEC power cable connected, this switch’s LED will glow dimly to show that power is applied. When the switch is pressed to turn the unit on, it will glow bright red. So even if you see the switch glowing slightly, it does NOT mean your microphone is turned on – you still need to PRESS THE SWITCH to provide power to the mic.

Why should I order replacement microphone tubes from you?

The microphone grade tube is tested at the factory for lowest noise, using a test fixture we have built that duplicates the Manley microphone circuit. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other tube vendors that have this purpose-built tester. This testing yields very few tubes suitable for use in the microphones.

Tube quality, especially noise characteristics, varies over time and batch-to-batch. At any particular point in time, we may be using a different tube than what is listed. There is nothing "special" about a Sovtek or Ruby, or anything else we use; what is special is the characteristics we grade and select for including the low noise requirement, and the testing required to insure this. 

I have a really old mic from the 1990’s that uses the 6072. Can I install a 12AX7 instead?

Sure you can, but you’ll need to make a couple of modifications.

Anode Resistor #1 change from 26K7 Ohms to 56K2 Ohms 1/2W Metal Film.
Anode Resistor #2 change from 100K Ohms to 221K Ohms 1/2W Metal Film.
Feedback resistor change from 681 Ohms to 562 Ohms 1/4W Metal Film.

Install network across tertiary feedback winding: 0.1uF 63V in series with 680 Ohms 1/2W Metal Film.
Install low noise 12AX7 or 5751 in place of 6072 or 12AY7.

How to change the O-RINGS:

The mic suspension is held onto the mic by a set of red silicone o-rings connecting FIVE pillars surrounding the mic, one set on the top and the other on the bottom of the mic. There are two sets of stainless steel screws and spacer nuts that hold the silicone o-rings onto these points and all you do is loop the o-rings onto these posts inner and outer. You can double up the o-rings for extra security and put two of 'em on each point and order two sets (20 total) if you'd like to.

If you needs to order more o-rings, you can order a set of them from our parts store, www.tubesrule.com. They are RED SILICONE #114 O-RING's.

How to change a TUBE:

Here is a video that explains the general concept for the Manley Reference Mono microphones. Read on for more details: Disconnect the power cable at the mic. Do not remove the mic suspension. You never need to. Remove the three phillips screws at the base (red part) of the mic that hold the case on. Grasp the body of the mic with one hand, grasp the base with the other hand. Carefully pull at the base of the mic (sometimes a slight twist will help), and slide the base out of the body just enough to expose the tube. Grasp the tube while holding the tube socket, and wiggle and pull to remove it. Install a new tube and put the case back on.