Manley Laboratories
Manley Laboratories, Inc. is an American manufacturer of pro audio equipment, including microphones, signal processors, dynamic range processors, equalizers, converters, and specialized mastering products. Manley is located in Chino, California.
 | |
| Corporation | |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Chino, California |
Key people | EveAnna Dauray Manley |
| Products | Pro audio equipment, Microphones, Signal processors, Dynamic range processors, Equalizers, Converters, Audio mastering products |
| Website | www.manley.com |
Company origins
Recording and film engineer David Manley began designing high fidelity vacuum tube amplifiers in South Africa in 1980. The earliest units he produced were modified LEAK amplifiers. In 1983 the first Vacuum Tube Logic (VTL) tube power amplifiers and preamplifiers went into full-fledged production for the European market in the UK. David, joined by his son Luke introduced the amplifiers to the US market at the 1986 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where the positive reception convinced them to expand their distribution to the U.S.. Production was eventually moved to Chino, California as Vacuum Tube Logic of America, Inc. and a secondary brand Manley was established in 1988, first producing what was conceived as upper echelon high fidelity vacuum tube power amplifiers and preamplifiers for the high fidelity home market. In 1989, the first products tailored specifically for professional studio use under the Manley brand were created, namely the 60 dB Microphone Preamplifier followed by the Manley Enhanced Pultec Equalizer. By 1993, the Manley brand had expanded, encompassing a complete range of studio products from microphones, dynamic units, equalizers, converters and specialized mastering products. In April 1993, David Manley and Luke decided to part ways, with Luke creating a new company, VTL Amplifiers, Inc., and David (and his wife EveAnna Dauray Manley) opening a new factory, Manley Laboratories, Inc..
Inspired by her stepfather Albert J. Dauray, who had been part owner of vacuum tube amplifier manufacturer Ampeg from 1967-1971, and a Bill Graham lecture she attended while a music student at Columbia University, EveAnna Dauray Manley had traveled to California in 1989 with a few of her stepfather’s business contacts in hopes of getting a job with a guitar amp manufacturer like Crate or Fender, and ended up getting a job at VTL. EveAnna worked her way through every segment of the company, eventually managing the Manley Laboratories, Inc. factory, sales, distribution, and customer service. David Manley eventually moved to France, and on June 10, 1999 EveAnna Dauray Manley officially assumed the duties of President, CEO and sole owner of Manley Laboratories, Inc. when he resigned as President and assigned his share of the company to her.[1][2][3][4][5]
Timeline of noteworthy products
- 1990-1994 60 dB Mic Preamp
- 1990-1997 A to D Converter
- 1990–present Enhanced Pultec EQ
- 1990–present Reference Cardioid Microphone
- 1991-1997 Mono Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
- 1994-2000 ELOP
- 1994–present Stereo Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
- 1994 Manley 500 200 Watt Monoblocks
- 1996–present VoxBox
- 1997 Manley 250 100 Watt Monoblock Amplifier
- 1998–present Massive Passive EQ
References
- ↑ Robert Harley, “David Manley: Tubes, Logic, & Audiophile Sound,” Stereophile, June 1991
- ↑ Jason Serinus, "Luke Manley and Be a Lam of VTL: Vital Sound," Stereophile, July 2007
- ↑ Jason Victor Serinus, “David Manley, Tube-Amplifier Pioneer, Has Died,” Stereophile, January, 2013
- ↑ Larry Crane, "EveAnna Manley: Behind The Gear with Manley Labs," TapeOp #101, May/June 2014
- ↑ Eleanor Goldfield, “Made in CA: The Manley Schematic,” SonicScoop.com, September 2013