Manley Reference Gold is a valve condenser microphone with a one inch capsule whose diaphragm is sputtered with 24 karat gold and tensioned by a method developed by David Josephson. The solid brass body is likewise plated in 24 karat gold.
A continuously variable pattern, not a stepped one
Most multi-pattern microphones offer three or five switch positions. The Reference Gold varies continuously from omnidirectional through cardioid to figure-8, which makes it a real tool when tracking in a room: you set the ratio of direct sound to room reverberation with a knob instead of moving the microphone. Recording two singers facing each other, figure-8 lets one microphone do the work, while on a solo vocal in a dead booth the omni pattern adds air that cardioid has no way to find.
A valve path in triode configuration
The capsule signal is carried by two 12AX7EH valves in a ceramic socket with pure silver pins. The Manley Power supply delivers a regulated 300 V of plate voltage, which translates into headroom and a maximum SPL of 150 dB. Sensitivity of 17 mV/Pa and self noise of -120 dB EIN let you work in front of a loud horn section and a quiet acoustic instrument alike, with no change of approach to gain.
KEY FEATURES
- Valve condenser microphone with a one inch capsule
- Diaphragm sputtered with 24 karat gold
- Diaphragm tensioned by David Josephson's method
- Continuously variable pattern: omni, cardioid, figure-8
- Solid brass body plated in 24 karat gold
- Two 12AX7EH valves in a triode path
- Ceramic socket with pure silver pins
- Switchable -10 dB pad
- Manley Power supply with regulated 300 V plate voltage
- Universal mains, 90 to 250 V
- Hand assembled in California
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: valve condenser, one inch capsule
- Polar pattern: continuously variable, omni to figure-8
- Frequency response: 10 Hz to 30 kHz
- Sensitivity: 17 mV/Pa
- Maximum SPL: 150 dB
- Self noise: -120 dB EIN
- Output impedance: 250 Ohm
- Pad: switchable -10 dB
- Power supply: 90 to 250 V, 50 to 60 Hz, 8 W consumption
- Microphone dimensions: 2 inch diameter, 9.7 inches long
- Microphone weight: 2.25 lbs
