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Studio & Recording > Signal Processing > Compressors / Limiters > Manley Variable Mu Manley Variable Mu Dual-channel Tube Limiter/Compressor with Stereo Link and True Variable Gain »CLICK TO ENLARGE   ItemID: VariMu   Retail Price: $4,000.00 SAVE $400.00 (10%) WHEN YOU BUY TODAY! SALE PRICE: $3,600.00 Add the Variable Mu to Your Wishlist Yes, It's In Stock! This item is available for immediate delivery. Our centrally-located warehouse ensures you the fastest delivery time in the industry. Order now by adding to your cart or call your Sales Engineer.   Payments as low as $108/ mo. Customers also looked at...   Manley ELOP Electro-Optical Leveling Limiter $2250.00     Empirical Labs Distressor EL-8SX Dual-Channel w/British Mode $2999.97     Universal Audio 1176AE Anniversary Ed Limiting Amp $2499.97   » View all Manley » View all Compressors / Limiters

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VARIABLE MU DESCRIPTION

Variable Mu Details: - Variable Mu Description - Variable Mu Specs Variable Mu Reviews: - Sweetwater Expert Advice - (1) Customer Review - Write your own review Variable Mu Media Library: (1) Additional Image Additional Resources: Sweetwater's Live Signal Processing Guide Learn more about Compressors, gates, reverbs, EQ, and more! Discuss this product! Ask questions, get answers about the Manley Variable Mu in Sweetwater's Control Room Forum. Have More Questions? Call toll-free (800) 222-4700 or click here to email a Sweetwater Sales Engineer about the Manley Variable Mu.

True Variable Mu Limiting and Compression! The renowned Manley Stereo Variable Mu compressor/limiter is a favorite of producers and recording engineers - and one listen to what this device does for your sound will make you a believer, too! Anyone who has heard the classic Fairchild 670 Series limiters in action has an idea of this Variable Mu's capabilities - but the sound is even sweeter with the Variable Mu. Its adjustable attack and release settings are optimized for mixing and mastering, but are flexible for most tracking situations. Sonically versatile and dependable for daily use, the Variable Mu is Manley's best-selling device. Manley Variable Mu Compressor/Limiter at a Glance: Classic compression/limiting Perfect for dual mono or stereo applications Classic compression/limiting Although the Variable Mu is not a clone of one, the Fairchild 670 series used a similar limiting principle and those who are familiar with that piece of gear know this method to be very special. In fact, with "mu" meaning gain or amplification factor, the Variable Mu offers true variable gain, unlike most devices. How it works is that the unique 5670 dual trioide is at the center of the peak-reducing and compression action - and it's constantly being re-biased by the vacuum tube rectified side-chain control voltages. This causes the tube to smoothly change its gain. The Varible Mu's Compress mode is soft-knee 1.5:1 ratio while the sharper knee Limit mode starts at 4:1 and moves to a more dramatic ratio of 20:1 when limiting over 12dB. Interestingly, the knee actually softens as more limiting is used. Distortion can be creatively used by turning up the Input and turning down the Outputs while using very little or no compression. Perfect for dual-mono or stereo applications You might notice that the Vari-Mu has a ganged input control, but it's certainly not mono-unfriendly. There are separate threshold and output controls to make compensations with, plus you can always adjust your individual source levels elsewhere. The advantage of the stereo input control becomes clear when you switch to Link mode, and that's what th Variable Mu does better than anything else: final mix, 2-track, or mastering limiting and compression. Like one reviewer put it: "It's like pouring a bowl of sweet cream over the mix." Manley Variable Mu Compressor/Limiter Features: Manley input & output transformers with pure nickel laminations in mu-metal case with flat frequency response 20Hz-25KHz frequency response Balanced Inputs & Outputs Fully differential all-tube circuitry using one each 5670, 5751, 7044, & 12AL5 per channel Independently regulated B+ and Heater supplies Hard-wire Bypass switch Silent conductive plastic input attenuator Recovery 5 steps: 0.2s, 0.4s, 0.6s, 4sec., 8sec. (Not a 12-step recovery) Variable Attack: 25msec-70msec Continuously variable Threshold Switch for Limit or Compress modes Front panel mounted Meter Adjust Limit (4:1 to 20:1) or Compress (1.5:1) Large Illuminated Sifam Meters Stereo Link Switch Maximum gain: 35 dB <0.1% THD @ 1KHz Noise floor: -85dB typical Max. output +30dBm (26Vrms) 26dB Headroom Power consumption (120/240VAC): 80 watts Dimensions: 19" x 3 1/2" x 10" (occupies 2U) Shipping weight: 23 lbs. Add the perfect compression with Manley's Variable Mu! Customer Reviews  A Modern Classic!   by Ernest Buckley from NYC, June 17, 2006 Music Background:  Singer-Songwriter-Producer “I don`t own the Vari Mu but I have had the extreme pleasure of working with it. This is the desert island compressor we all would want. Just one listen and you`ll know why. The Vari Mu works beautifully on the overall mix but it really shines on anything. What impresses me the most about this box is how much you don`t hear it. Its so good you will swear its not working but you know it sounds...” Read More • Write Your Own Review Sweetwater Expert Advice     "The VariMu from Manley Labs was an instant classic the day it was released. While it's ideal in a mastering situation, the Manley VariMu serves just as well for tracking or even mixing. Likewise, it makes the perfect mix bus compressor as well. Built like a tank, the VariMu is built to last for many years to come - after all, IT IS A MANLEY PRODUCT so what else would you expect?" Brad Lyons   "This is a great smooth compressor. Try it on a 2-bus or with a pair of drum overheads... it's not like any other compessor you own." Brendan Murphy   "The Vari-Mu is a modern classic, and for good reason! I love that way it sounds on the master bus of a mix... the compression helps to glue the mix together and makes everything sound "finished." With three tubes and two transformers per channel, nothing quite sounds as good to me on a rock or pop mix like a Manley Vari-Mu." Jeff Hollman More Compressors / Limiters from Manley: · Manley ELOP · Manley SLAM! Mastering Version · Manley Variable Mu Mastering Version View All Products from Manley  Tell a Friend About the Variable Mu!  Print This Page See Also:  Compressors

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