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Author Topic: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems  (Read 18179 times)

Andrew Hamilton

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #45 on: November 17, 2008, 12:34:39 AM »

I can reiterate that the mod made my mu sound better - it's plenty quiet for mastering, and I've been using only Manley-supplied tubes, so far, since I performed the mod, myself...  I also personally performed the HPF mod, and have loved the sound of that.  

You may have seen everyone's favorite EE, DC, suggest the JAN 5-stars for lowest noise.  But, low microphonics is another trait that one can shop for, if that is your concern.  Still, the Manley stock I've used have had neither symptom to any objectionable degree (touch wood).   And the quality of the compression became prettier, somehow, after the mod.  I can use more threshold than before and not feel that I'm burying the transients.  I often flip the HPF, too.  

I thought I could do away with the mu after installing the OCL-2, but they are different types of tube compressors and answer different needs.  The OCL-2 is so versatile that it actually handles 95% of my tube compression needs, but for some stuff - such as raunchy rock, the odd song, or just "bad digital" - the mu can have a palliative effect that none of my trafo-less gear can touch.  The OCL-2 is perhaps overly truthful to the source to do that kind of analog alchemy.

Per EveAnna's advice, I turn on the mu at the beginning of the session and let it warm up (at least long enough to make Lava) before using it... also, per her advice, I turn it off if I'm sure it won't be used for over 3 hours.  It gets turned on for mastering at least 5 days a week.  The tubes seem to last and last (again, touch wood).  
   

Andrew
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www.serifsound.com
premastering for CD and DVD-A.  Featuring FTP load in and delivery as well as analog tape transfers.

vanimal

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #46 on: November 17, 2008, 12:37:23 PM »

Whew! I am glad all this worked out after all. Thanks everybody!
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Cheers, EveAnna Manley
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e-cue

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #47 on: November 17, 2008, 01:19:42 PM »

Andy Krehm wrote on Sun, 16 November 2008 08:13


(I'm afraid to say "bad" in case I get chewed out again Laughing! )


No soup foe you!
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HerbiesAudioLab

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #48 on: March 17, 2010, 09:12:33 PM »

Hi. The posted URL for Herbie's Audio Lab is no longer valid. Herbie's Audio Lab's new website address is:

http://herbiesaudiolab.net

Thanks!

Steve Herbelin
Herbie's Audio Lab
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Steve Herbelin
Herbie's Audio Lab

dcollins

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #49 on: March 18, 2010, 08:55:44 PM »

HerbiesAudioLab wrote on Wed, 17 March 2010 18:12

Hi. The posted URL for Herbie's Audio Lab is no longer valid. Herbie's Audio Lab's new website address is:

http://herbiesaudiolab.net




Thank goodness.  And to think we have been operating without Grungebuster Balls all these years.

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/special.htm


DC

bblackwood

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #50 on: March 18, 2010, 09:07:50 PM »

dcollins wrote on Thu, 18 March 2010 19:55

Thank goodness.  And to think we have been operating without Grungebuster Balls all these years.

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/special.htm


And CD mats!

Oh boy...
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Brad Blackwood
euphonic masters

compasspnt

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #51 on: March 18, 2010, 09:48:44 PM »

I know this is anathema to some, verboten to many, but I actually prefer my unhappy balls.
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Viitalahde

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #52 on: March 19, 2010, 01:47:14 AM »

HerbiesAudioLab wrote on Thu, 18 March 2010 03:12

Hi. The posted URL for Herbie's Audio Lab is no longer valid. Herbie's Audio Lab's new website address is:

http://herbiesaudiolab.net

Thanks!

Steve Herbelin
Herbie's Audio Lab


I don't think that stuff is going to work. It's too cheap!

But the idea of tube dampers is good, IMO. I definately have a problem: Every time I pop open one of my units and tap the tubes with a screw driver, I can hear a sound from my speakers! Maybe these would help?
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Jaakko Viitalähde
Virtalähde Mastering, Kuhmoinen/Finland
http://www.virtalahde.com
   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Helsinki-Finland/Virtalahde-Ma stering/278311633180

David Glasser

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #53 on: March 19, 2010, 12:01:02 PM »

dcollins wrote on Thu, 18 March 2010 18:55


Thank goodness.  And to think we have been operating without Grungebuster Balls all these years.

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/special.htm


DC



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtOLqNuTOag&feature=PlayL ist&p=DCA3F0DC37475347&playnext=1&playnext_from= PL&index=17
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David Glasser
Airshow Mastering
Boulder, CO

dave@airshowmastering.com
www.airshowmastering.com

no1uno

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Re: Manley Vari-Mu: T-Bar Mod Tube Problems
« Reply #54 on: March 21, 2010, 04:05:17 PM »

so maybe with cd mats on the ref discs, the masters will stand a better chance of being approved by the client.  why risk not doing it...?  {{coff}}
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