Recording - February 2018 - 28

Manley Labs
Reference Silver

The newest tube condenser mic
from Manley is a work of audio art
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR.

hen one mentions the name Manley Labs, the first
thing that leaps to mind is probably "Tubes Rule,"
followed by thoughts of Massive Passive EQs,
VOXBOXes, and Variable-Mu compressors. However, Manley
also offers a selection of tube-based microphones as well. The
Reference Cardioid and its larger sibling the Reference Gold
have been part of the Manley family for 27 years. EveAnna
Manley showed off the firm's first new microphone since then at
last year's winter NAMM show: the Reference Silver.
The Reference Silver is hand-built stem to stern here in the USA,
most of it at the company's Chino, CA-based headquarters. The
only thing not made in-house is the microphone's capsule, which
we will get to in a moment.

A first look

The Reference Silver has a lot in common visually with the
Reference Cardioid and Reference Gold mics. The mic body
measures 9.69" x 2.01", the same as the other two, and like
the Reference Cardioid it is made from anodized aluminum.
Its open-faced grille is also similar to the other models', although this time it's dressed in black. The only control on its
body is a highpass filter switch.
You will notice a scale-like pattern etched into the mic's silver
exterior. This is the result of a happy accident that came out of
EveAnna playing around with laying webbing over the bodies
prior to the anodizing process. While all Reference Silver
microphones have the pattern, no two are exactly alike.
The Reference Silver also makes use of Manley's custom
X-Cradle suspension mount. It is always attached to the mic
and is then attached to your mic stand via a custom proprietary
swivel with T-bar handle and locking clutch. The mic, X-Mount,
leather grille cover, extra O-rings, power supply, and multipin
cable all come housed in a sturdy Pelican-style carry case.

Power

From here, the Reference Silver diverges from its older siblings in a number of ways. The power supply is a brand-new
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RECORDING February 2018

design that makes use of the same technological advances
found in Manley's latest CORE, FORCE, Nu Mu, and ELOP+
rack processors. It offers regulated lines, super-low-impedance
rails, and zero 50/60 Hz chassis ripple. It is also self-switching
for use around the world.
It is a simple and classy black box with multipin in, XLR out,
a bright blue power LED, power switch, silver carry handle,
and a magnetized top that holds a custom wrench-style key in
place. You might notice that there is no pattern adjustment on
the power supply, and yet the Reference Silver is a multipattern
microphone. The key holds the key!

The capsule

As teased above, the Reference Silver's unique capsule is
not made in-house by Manley, but it's not an overseas part
either. Quite the opposite! It's made for Manley by the folks
at Josephson Engineering, who also make the capsule found

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - February 2018