Manley SLAM! is a two channel unit combining a valve microphone preamplifier, an instrument input, an ELOP optical limiter and a FET limiter in a single 2U chassis. The name stands for Sterling Level Automatic Modulator.
Two limiters with completely different characters
The optical ELOP and the FET solve two different problems, which is why they sit in the same box. ELOP works musically and slowly, setting the overall level without drawing attention to itself. The FET is a brick wall limiter and catches the individual transients that would slip past the optical cell and rob a converter of all its headroom. You can use either on its own or run them in series: ELOP for dynamics, FET as insurance. Tracking drums or an aggressive vocal, that is the difference between a clean take and another pass.
Preamp and DI with switchable impedance
The microphone section is entirely valve based, offering up to 60 dB of gain, phantom power and phase reverse. The instrument input has switchable impedance of either 100 kOhm or 10 megohms, so a passive bass and an active synth each get the right load rather than a compromise. Sidechain inserts are brought out to a mini patchbay on the panel, so you can put an equaliser into the detector path without taking the rack apart.
KEY FEATURES
- Two channels in a 2U chassis
- All-valve microphone preamplifier with up to 60 dB of gain
- Instrument input with up to 43 dB of gain
- Switchable DI impedance: 100 kOhm or 10 megohms
- ELOP optical limiter with a musical character
- FET brick wall limiter
- Up to 20 dB of gain in the limiter section
- 48 V phantom power and phase reverse
- Mini patchbay for sidechain inserts
- Input valves: 2 x 12AT7A selected for low noise
- Output valves: 2 x 12BH7 or 6414W
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Maximum microphone gain: 60 dB
- Maximum instrument input gain: 43 dB
- Maximum limiter gain: 20 dB
- Frequency response: 5 Hz to 60 kHz
- THD+N: below 0.05% at 1 kHz
- Dynamic range: 115 dB
- Maximum output: +32 dBm
- Line inputs and outputs: transformer coupled balanced XLR
- Instrument input: unbalanced jack
- Dimensions: 19 x 12 x 3.5 inches, 2U
- Weight: 25 lbs; power consumption 57.6 W
