MRAG - Manley Reference Silver Microphone - Large-diaphragm Cardioid Tube Condenser Microphone
The Manley Reference Silver Microphone is a universal large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone. Featuring an American built capsule by David Josephson and inspired by the fabled Sony C-37A and a Manley designed circuit, this microphone has warm and rich tone. The Manley Reference Silver Microphone offers a mechanical selector on the rear of the head basket that is switchable between cardioid and omni pick-up patterns. Boasting a mic grade 5670 vacuum tube, Manley IRON® transformers, and a low-noise switch mode power supply, the Manley Reference Silver Microphone is a studio workhorse. This microphone is at home in-front of instruments that range from female vocalists, to saxophones, from drum overheads to banjos. Use the Manley Reference Silver Microphone where you might be thinking about a ribbon, and use it with confidence!
Manley introduced its Reference Gold and Reference Cardioid mics in 1990, and they have become modern classics used in pro studios worldwide. The Manley Reference Silver Microphone takes its audio inspiration for this handcrafted beauty begins with the 1950s classic Sony C-37a microphone, and specifically with California capsule maker David Josephson's fantastic recreation of the C-37’s C-3 capsule which features in adjustable acoustic chamber on the rear of the capsule for the user to switch between Cardioid in Omni pickup patterns. This distinctive capsule is the heart of the rich and creamy tone that the Manley Reference Silver Mic delivers today.
The circuit of the mic is different from the other two Manley microphones. The fragile high impedance signal from the capsule first hits a FET sitting underneath the 5670 vacuum tube’s cathode which then amplifies the signal into a more robust voltage for the hand-wound Manley IRON® microphone output transformer. The Reference Silver's output is a bit lower, which actually turns out to be an advantage, as this mic is an excellent choice for loud sources such as snare drum, guitars, and toms.
Sonic character of the Reference Silver is on the rich and warm side. This microphone is stunning on female vocals and saxophones, with a round character that is never sibilant or boxy. A brass section will sound rich and cohesive. With its bountiful and warm middle tonality it is also a natural for drum overheads where other microphones might have too much brightness off the cymbals. It is a very classic sounding microphone, which is to be expected since its innovative capsule design harkens back to the 1950s. The Manley Reference Silver Microphone might be an alternative for a ribbon.
The trailblazing power supply is custom designed switched-mode power supply for vacuum tubes, and especially for audio fidelity. It is an efficient design, and functions with any mains input voltage around the world from 90 to 250 V AC without any reconfiguration.
The Reference Silver comes with Manley's X-Cradle suspension, a rugged carrying-case, and a leather capsule protector for when the mic is not in use. Like the other Manley Reference Microphones, all of the metalworking and construction is hand-assembled in the USA at the Manley in Chino, California.
Features
- Single-sided large diaphragm capsule based on the vintage Sony C-37A; handcrafted by Josephson Audio
- 5-micron evaporated-gold diaphragm
- Cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns
- Adjustable acoustic chamber on the backplate for changing pattern
- 5670 vacuum tube head amplifier
- Constant-current source for tube to minimize noise
- Hand wound nickel core Manley Iron output transformer
- Custom designed external switch-mode PSU
- Supplied with Manley X-Cradle suspension, a rugged carrying-case and a leather capsule protector
- Handmade in the Manley's Chino, California labs, USA
Technical Specifications
- Capsule type: Center-fixed Lg. Diaphragm Capacitor
- Poloar pattern: Continuously Variable (omni through cardioid via port entry on rear)
- Diaphragm size: 1 Inch; 1.25 Inch Overall
- Diaphragm thickness: 5 Micron; Gold Sputtered
- Frequency response: 10Hz-30kHz
- Input SPL (max.): 150 dB SPL at Capsule
- Sensitivity: 7mV/Pa
- Amplifier type: 2 Triode Gain Block
- Tube: 5670
- Output type: Balanced, Transformer Coupled
- Amplifier distortion: < 0.05 % THD+N
- Amplifier noise: Typically -108 dBV “A Weighted”
- Body: Etched Silver Anodized Aluminum
- Weight: 0.7 kg
- PSU: 90 to 250 VAC (SMPS) / 15 watts
