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Author Topic: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?  (Read 21621 times)

rjd2

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Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« on: March 02, 2009, 05:21:12 PM »

hi folks, im wondering if any of you have any suggestions for limiters in this price range(3-4k, could maybe push this closer to 5k if needed). since i do alot of tracking one instrument at a time, im considering picking up one really nice limiter that almost everything would go through. having variable attack/release times is a big plus, as well as stereo inputs.

stylistically, the "sheen" of modern rock records is not something im after. im more chasing your typical ghosts of classic rock and soul records(otis redding/stevie/ELO/queen/etc). i know thats probably more info than necessary, just trying to give a better idea of my sonic leanings.

i also like the fact that i could return to mercenary if it doesnt suit my needs. anything else i should be looking at? an 1176 is currently the "nicest" limiter i have, and gets a ton of use. used/vintage or new/warrantied, doesnt really matter to me. thanks for any advice.
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rj krohn

Jim Williams

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2009, 10:41:03 AM »

Urei 175/176. Manley copied that design.
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Jim Williams
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Steve Hudson

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2009, 12:04:11 PM »

You might check out the Lucas Limiting Amplifier, which was also inspired by the UREI 175/176. A pair of these would be well below the current cost of a vintage 175/176.

http://www.compasspointstudios.com/lucas/lades.html
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"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs.  There's also a negative side."

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marcel

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2009, 02:16:40 PM »

Retro Instruments is also making a 176 clone now.

No comment on the unit, I've never heard it.

This discussion would be better on Fletcher's turf, no?  A $3k+ mono limiter is hardly 'budget'...  Or maybe I'm just out of touch?

LOL
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Best, Marcel

compasspnt

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2009, 05:00:42 PM »

Steve Hudson wrote on Thu, 05 March 2009 12:04

You might check out the Lucas Limiting Amplifier, which was also inspired by the UREI 175/176. A pair of these would be well below the current cost of a vintage 175/176.

http://www.compasspointstudios.com/lucas/lades.html



Thanks Steve, for the mention.

And especially thanks for saying that our unit was "inspired by" (which it was), because it is definitely NOT a clone!

We don't like to chase things that were done before, but rather to design new things that do hearken back to great designs where appropriate, but push ahead where possible.

Two of the Lucas units would run more than 4k, not really "budget."

Current custom build time is approx 12 weeks.
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JDNelson

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2009, 07:46:18 PM »

What about the Thermionic Phoenix?

rjd2

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2009, 10:57:35 PM »

compasspnt wrote on Thu, 05 March 2009 22:00

Steve Hudson wrote on Thu, 05 March 2009 12:04

You might check out the Lucas Limiting Amplifier, which was also inspired by the UREI 175/176. A pair of these would be well below the current cost of a vintage 175/176.

http://www.compasspointstudios.com/lucas/lades.html



Thanks Steve, for the mention.

And especially thanks for saying that our unit was "inspired by" (which it was), because it is definitely NOT a clone!

We don't like to chase things that were done before, but rather to design new things that do hearken back to great designs where appropriate, but push ahead where possible.

Two of the Lucas units would run more than 4k, not really "budget."

Current custom build time is approx 12 weeks.



thanks for this info, terry. im considering it. (fyi, i posted in here cause i thought the forum title meant the OPPOSITE of budget. AFAIK, 3k lmiters are not budget-yet).

aaahhh-12 week build time? that's good to know.....im starting a project very shortly that i was considering buying this for.....hmmm......got some thinking to do....quickly!
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rj krohn

jensenmann

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2009, 03:03:59 AM »

Gyraf G X
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Jens

3rd 4thT

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2009, 12:53:25 AM »

Here is a budget piece.

http://www.igsaudio.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task =view&id=5

Cheers,
3rd&4thT
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jensenmann

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2009, 08:50:28 AM »

3rd 4thT wrote on Tue, 17 March 2009 05:53

Here is a budget piece.

 http://www.igsaudio.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task =view&id=5

Cheers,
3rd&4thT


This page looks like a rip off of all those DIY projects that can be done over at the prodigy-pro forum. I bet this guy has stolen the PCB layouts and now tries to make money out of other peoples work. Prove me that I´m wrong.
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Jens

3rd 4thT

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #10 on: March 18, 2009, 10:58:20 AM »

jensenmann wrote on Wed, 18 March 2009 07:50

3rd 4thT wrote on Tue, 17 March 2009 05:53

Here is a budget piece.

  http://www.igsaudio.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task =view&id=5

Cheers,
3rd&4thT


This page looks like a rip off of all those DIY projects that can be done over at the prodigy-pro forum. I bet this guy has stolen the PCB layouts and now tries to make money out of other peoples work. Prove me that I´m wrong.


No, if you have a problem with IGS Audio, you have to do the proving.

I've yet to meet anyone who owns one of these units, so I don't think they are much of a presence in the marketplace.

If the IGS Tubecore does perform as advertised and sells at the posted price, it does answer the OP's question.

Cheers,
3rd&4thT
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MagnetoSound

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #11 on: March 18, 2009, 11:02:27 AM »

3rd&4thT,


Is your name known on this board? It is not shown either in your profile or in your posts.

It seems as if you are promoting a product without identifying yourself.  Rolling Eyes

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Music can make me get right up out of my chair and start dancing or it can get me so pumped up I have to walk around the block.
It can also knock me back and make me sit there and cry like a little baby. This shit is as powerful as any drug!!!
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3rd 4thT

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2009, 05:09:54 PM »

MagnetoSound wrote on Wed, 18 March 2009 10:02

3rd&4thT,

It seems as if you are promoting a product without identifying yourself.  Rolling Eyes




I can hardly promote a product I don't own and have never seen or heard. I seem to recall using a number of "if"s. I'll repeat. If it performs as advertised and if it sells for the posted price, then it does seem to answer the OP's question.

Cheers,
3rd&4thT
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MagnetoSound

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2009, 05:34:41 PM »

3rd 4thT wrote on Wed, 18 March 2009 21:09

Cheers,
3rd&4thT




OK, fair enough. However, it's still a requirement of the forum that you give your real name, either in your profile or in your signature.

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Music can make me get right up out of my chair and start dancing or it can get me so pumped up I have to walk around the block.
It can also knock me back and make me sit there and cry like a little baby. This shit is as powerful as any drug!!!
- Larry DeVivo

mixwell

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Re: Anything beat out the manley vari-mu in its price range?
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2009, 12:07:39 PM »

rjd2 wrote on Mon, 02 March 2009 16:21

hi folks, im wondering if any of you have any suggestions for limiters in this price range(3-4k, could maybe push this closer to 5k if needed). since i do alot of tracking one instrument at a time, im considering picking up one really nice limiter that almost everything would go through. having variable attack/release times is a big plus, as well as stereo inputs.

stylistically, the "sheen" of modern rock records is not something im after. im more chasing your typical ghosts of classic rock and soul records(otis redding/stevie/ELO/queen/etc). i know thats probably more info than necessary, just trying to give a better idea of my sonic leanings.

i also like the fact that i could return to mercenary if it doesnt suit my needs. anything else i should be looking at? an 1176 is currently the "nicest" limiter i have, and gets a ton of use. used/vintage or new/warrantied, doesnt really matter to me. thanks for any advice.

Hey RJD2, Firstly, let me express that I am a HUGH FAN of your productions/music. GREAT work!! Perhaps we may even have similar aesthetics/personal tastes, as I do a lot of instrumental "east coast underground" style, tiphop/hiphop/boom-bap music. My stuff is heavily oriented with samples from old records, blended with real instruments and synthesized ones. Needless to say, I highly appreciate your productions. The Manley Vari MU is wonderful limiter for a lot of applications. I find it to be incredibly LARGE sounding, while its capable or mucho gain reduction action, it keeps the depth in tact, and makes the signal bigger than before. You can shave like 10 DB of a vocal without hearing any adverse "grabbing" and it will add some really musical thickness. Its really syrupy, colored, and very dense sounding. Some people might even find it TOO big, but not me. Bring on the warmth and tone!!! To my ear, this unit has some pretty "round" and rich warmth that lets you know you are using a Manley compressor.

Perhaps the amount of HF softening is a turn off to some, but I like the warm top of Manley gear. It might be considered slightly dark sounding. I find it makes me a better engineer most days. I think its excellent for tracking/mixing: bass/drums/samples/ambient stuff/room/strings/whatever! For me; its always been a versatile limiter, where "I want a sound" with truck loads of clean limiting ability. At this price point, there are a myriad of AWESOME compressor/limiters, but I certainly think the VMU can be classified as a "desert Island" beast, in my experience anyway. Another to recommend: The Thermionic Culture Phoenix, which is immensely colored, and old school sounding. This one "adds a simonize" to the top end, adding a very cool clarity, [who knew?]. It is also highly capable of truck loads of compression. I think all Thermionic equipment is a time machine to the old school, so it might be worth a shot to try.
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