VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Glenn Moore · Been Here Awhile Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 241

Anyone ever used a Manley Voxbox and what was your impression? Is it all it is cracked up to be and is it worth the hefty price. I am considering one but trying to do my homework first. If you used one what mic did you use with it? I would appreciate anyone's insight. Thanks so much!

Glenn

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I use the U87 and 416 everyday. Really wouldn't want to be without either, but if I had to choose a desert island mic, it would have to be the U87ai.

Never used the Manley but I think Skinny Johnny had one.

The only thing is Glenn, do you have clients who may come back in the future and want to do pickups on projects you recorded with your 416?

Be warned though, AT FIRST, you may be underwhelmed by how you sound on a U87.....I was, and hastily sold my first one.....it took awhile for me to really understand and appreciate how it puts your voice front and center, esp in a dense mix.

Glenn Moore · Been Here Awhile Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 241

thanks Rob. I am not so sure I will sell my 416 if I go with another mic. I will get it serviced though, and hang on to it just in case some clients want me to use it. The Avalon will be sold for sure but really trying to give it a fair shot. However, my patience is getting thin. I have used a U87 lots of times. I like how I sound with it but never wanted to plunk down over 3 extra-large to get it. I could kick myself for selling my TLM 103. I miss that mic but I think if I am gonna buy anything it would be the U87. The question is just when I will do it.

Bruce · Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 8:15 am Post subject:

I believe I've told this story before, but a few years ago I did a couple of commercials in a professional studio with exactly that combo of equipment. It is by far the best I've ever sounded to myself. Unfortunately I was playing a goofy German accented psychiatrist in the spots so I didn't get to hear much in my normal voice, but I could tell it was lovely setup.

B
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Rick Riley · Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:18 am Post subject:

Glenn,

I have a good friend who uses the Manley Voxbox along with a 416. He's been doing VO for three decades and was the voice of the NBC Today show for eight years, the voice of BBC America, CBS Football and multiple shows on Discovery and such. He has a midrange voice and that's his combination of choice. I don't know of any other recommendation for the Manley, other than he really likes it.

My complaint about it and the 737, is there's too much stuff to dink with. I had a 737 and with all the setup options, I was tempted to try different settings all the time, looking for one that was better than the last. Then I was introduced to the Martech MSS/10. Read this page of customer reviews http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MSS10/reviews

You really need to A/B it with the Avalon and Manley. I've used it for almost three years now. I get emails from other VO's wondering what kind of setup I have. It's the MSS/10 and 416 and as far as a Pre goes, I can't imagine ever wanting to use anything else.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

georgethetech · Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 5:28 pm Post subject:

Glenn, are you into the tube thing that much? Do you like needing to replace them and the elevated failure rate of non-solid state circuitry? Just curious... also, curious about what you don't like about the current sound.
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Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 6:11 pm Post subject:

As always, George ask some pretty good questions ...
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Glenn Moore · Been Here Awhile Joined: 24 Jan 2005 Posts: 241

Hi George...I do like the sound of a tube pre-amp but no I do not want to change tubes. I am not so sure the 737 is right for me. Same goes with the 416. It's personal preference I guess. So that is why I am just exploring some new stuff and getting some insight. Rick, thanks for link on the Martech. I will check it out.

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:45 am Post subject:

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

A Fearn VT1, utilitarian?

That's what I call the pre-amps in my Fireface 800...
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Yoda117 · Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:05 am Post subject:

Quicksilver · Been Here Awhile Joined: 29 Oct 2012 Posts: 217

Did you consider the Manley TNT and then having the freedom to experiment with different outboard and digital processors?

SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 3:21 pm Post subject:

Hi Glenn,
I had the Manley Voxbox. It sounded great, but I sold it because I needed something that would sound consistent over time. I was doing work that required copy changes that would be inserted into jobs I'd done in years past. I found that the tubes would vary too much for that. I used it with a number of mics including the 416 and U87. If you buy one used, you shouldn't have any problem selling it and it will hold it's value pretty well.
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