I use it to tame a bit of harshness in my speaking voice and give it a little weight without a lot of coloration. I was able to set the Core to do just a little and just what I needed: a little more authority and a little less edge in my voice. It's a little bit that makes a big difference.

I hadn't thought about getting the Core but my Sweetwater rep, Danny Bennett, said it might be a good match for what I told him I wanted to accomplish, and he nailed it. He is a good listener and adviser.

I've had the 6176, the LA 610, Hand Crafted Lab 2 channel tube (In the Ukraine sadly) and the Manley beats them all. Tight, focused, forward, versatile, great on bass, perfect with a Neumann TLM series (instant tube mic), and the coup de gras...sending my Helix rack into two Manley Cores for parallel compression. I have given up miking cabinets. Quiet, thick, creamy...keepers.

If it came down to one Voxbox vs. two Cores...Cores. Same pre, same compressor. Add a couple solid state pres to cover the other bases and you're all set.

You know it's good when you re-learn all you electric guitar solos and re-record them for the improvement.

Having a separate mic/line in allows me to switch from tracking to an outboard insert with a push of a button. The Direct In ( Half Star) sucks but I use a variable Z Cloudlifter and go into the mic pre and it's just perfect.

My music partner just got one of these for our studio, and I didn't know what to expect. So far, I've only tracked one vocal session and a mono acoustic guitar track, along with a Sennhesier 441 on a custom electric guitar head-cab combo, but the high quality was evident. My partner commented on the 441 / Manley track that it sounded polished and mixed already, when compared to the other 2 mics I had on the cab.

The things that struck me were:

1) Low floor noise, even when the comp / limiter were cranked.
2) Great EQ section.
3) Big sound.

I've had some great pres, and my current batch are a real 6176, API 3124+, Heritage Audio HA-73 EQ, AEA TPS, JoeMeek strip, some BLA gear, a couple of high end D.I.'s, and a few others I've had over the years. I sold a Neve 1073 DPX recently to catch up on some bills, so I've had some good gear in my studio, and I've been fortunate to track in some of the biggest studios in Georgia. I have a ton of plug-ins, as well. Time will tell in the final mixes how this strip stands up, but just on its own I'm very impressed.

This unit sounds good enough I'm considering a second unit. I'm only giving 4-1/2 stars as I'm still getting used to it, and it's impossible to tell how well a unit will hold up until you've had it a few years. But don't let that stop you from getting one. If the durability of this unit stands the test of time, it's definitely a keeper.

This channel strip is quite a surprise. At first I had my doubts with all the clout surrounding Neve products. I was torn between this and The Channel Strip by API, also a great piece of gear. This channel strip has a nice modern sound, intuitive controls, and a GREAT sounding Preamp, compressor and EQ. The compressor is not what you would expect at first because of the way you dial it in but once you get used to its user interface it is quite a smooth sounding component that does not lose detail if you crank it. There is also a Hi Gain knob going into the unit that sounds INCREDIBLE. You just can't lose buying this piece of gear. The limiter is great, the EQ is great, the compressor is great, and the tube Preamp sounds clean, warm, and detailed. This is a great buy !

I would like to give special thanks to Drew Owens and the rest of the team over at Sweetwater for outstanding customer service, patience, and performance. Down the road when I finish my YouTube channel and begin creating more content I will be sure to give special shout outs and gear reviews ! You guys are the best !

OMG! Buy (2) and go stereo friends!!! this is epic sound - warm low noise floor

I routed two Cores to the master bus and found the units to be true to the Manley name. With flat EQ, the tube signal path imparts a revealing deep bass and a fat forward mid sound with the silky 3:1 compression ratio. The units are on a nice power conditioner and are quiet; no clicks, pops, buzz, hum,RFI, EMI...very nice

Our radio hosts cuddle-up to this baby every day on our nationwide public radio show, UnderCurrents. It always feels great and sounds beautiful.

As a individual artist I feel it's the best pre unit I've ever experienced the crisp is felt Soo much in detail I've been using it on vocals and on the guitar it's been a very versatile unit it's easy to handle using the meters too, the Make up is Soo smooth.

The tube pre amp from this is very quiet, making my signal to noise ratio very pleasing to my ears. With added compression, I had no problems dialing in the levels I wanted. The 2 different outputs made it even more diverse for for my DAW to do different situations with the compressor or with out.

I purchased this 3 years ago for my home studio and this is still my go-to for recording vocals, guitar, and bass. I even sometimes run mono stems from Pro Tools out to the Core and back in, so as to use the EQ to warm up the track. What I love is the spectrum of color that the Core can bring. For example I can get a super clean vocal with a little compression and added brightness, or instead add some bite and hard compression to a guitar. This unit breaks up very nicely when the input is pushed hard. An added bonus is Manley's fantastic customer service. They've always been quick to answer any questions I had and they're service team is top-notch and super friendly. Highly recommend this channel strip

I was waiting to find reviews for this preamp before i tried it out.I sold my 737 previously to get a bigger/fuller sound with a better compressor. Previously to this purchase ,I had been using a avalon M5 preamp into my universal apollo twin LA 2A plugin going into protools. It was great and very big sounding but that combo still lacked character/vibe. I finally pulled the trigger on this guy and even before the tubes warmed up i was amazed. The preamp doesn't have as much low end presence as the M5 but it is better than the 737 preamp and compressor. I haven't even tapped into the EQ or the limiter of this core yet. I use the Core paired with a Manley ref c and this is the sound i have been looking for. This preamp has the high sound quality/clarity of a avalon pre with the character of a LA 2A compressor. I haven't even completed a full session with it but i was so excited that i had to tell the world! . So If your'e deciding between this or any other channel strip/preamp this is it. Ive had universal audio, neve, emperical labs, isa one, (avalon WAS my favorite, and the list goes on. This is the most musical/versatile/complete channel strip i have ever owned. Thanks manley!!!!!!! The avalon is for sale! Im a manley fan to the core now!!!!

This thing is a lot of fun: super pro sound, flexible, versatile, creatively made, just straight-up, an awesome preamp worth the cost, and actually more...

If this was my first pre and haven't heard other high end pres then I will say Yea baby. I tryout this against ADL 600 using Kiwi mic and I was surprised how the ADL out shined the Core with headroom, openness and in your face kindner sound. By the way I have other pres like Manley nu mu, Avalon 2022, Pacifica, Empirical labs,EL9 Mike E series & Distressors. I wanted a tube channel strip, trying to stay away from Avalon 737. But it looks like I under estimated the ADL600. Don't get me wrong, the Core is a great pre that's why I'm giving it 4 stars . I might try the 737 and some other ones . You see, in my studio, is either you get tracked with or get in the mix . Nothing sits to collect dust . Keep that in mind if you buying any gear. This will not stay but great respect for Manley products.

Manley Core
At one time I owned (2) Manley VoxBoxes that I used for recording vocals and running a stereo drum buss on mix downs. Regrettably I sold them jumping on to the 500 module bandwagon and could never replace that rich, “Manley” full tube sound I got out of the VoxBoxes. What I find incredibly unbelievable is that I could not find another ”pro-level” manufacturer that puts the compressor before the mic preamp. To me – that is the “key” to the Manley sound – both VoxBox and Core. I tried to reproduce it with various combination of 500 modules – but never got close. Don’t get me wrong – there are some great 500 modules out there. Just nothing that comes close to the “Manley” tube sound. When I listened to older recordings done on the VoxBox (using same singer) I just couldn’t recreate that great Manley sound. I use a Neumann M149 as my main vocal mic for my singer. I am in the process of replacing “final” vocals on my project and decided I just had to get back into the Manley sound. I actually find the Manley Core is more applicable for my application. I wasn’t using the EQ Section of the VoxBox. However, I really like the practicality of the EQ Section on the Manley Core – I can dial in a notch just where I need it – I don’t notice anything “missing” and it’s perfect. I find the compressor section very smooth and transparent – yet with just a touch of that Manley tube sound. For my vocalist and microphone combination – its seems to have a more “modern” sound – less heavy or thick – more transparent than the VoxBox – I like that. Having the limiter after the mic pre makes perfect sense and so useful. Whereas with the VoxBox you had to choose either the compressor or the limiter setting. The price, quality and features of the Manley Core are a great value and audio quality. Couldn’t be happier! Thank you Manley.

This thing really is musical, well thought out ... So glad I Bought it ... U can't make it sound bad .. Best pre I have ever owned!! And I've had a few .. Buy one now ...

this is everything they say it is, If you have a good mike and converter, get ready to start working on your room acoustics and mike placements, your going to hear it all, and you won't be twisting knobs to make it sound better, the ultimate ear training! Just add talent, your done...

My rep, Jeff Hollman, always provides great suggestions for gear that meets the budget, and the expectations, the Manley Core is simply a home-run. For my project studio, it was on the higher end of what I was looking to spend, but with good advice, and then lots of reading/homework, it was definitely worth the wait.
It does what it is supposed to do, makes everything sound great, and it does it without a lot of tweaking and hours turing knobs to try and find that perfect sound. The controls are easy to use, and straight forward, and the sound is, well, what you would expect from Manley. Their gear is amazing, but normally out of my price range, the Core was designed for people just like me in mind----I tend to use this, and a couple of other pieces of gear as my primary signal chain for recording vocals, guitars, bass, etc., and it works beautifully.
Couldn't be happier with this purchase, thanks again to Jeff Hollman---been working with him for years, and have always been amazed at his knowledge, and patients:)
Sweetwater is a rare company these days, great people, great products, great support...great company.

This unit is the best purchase I EVER made! I thought having a tube mic may be too much tube, but I was completely wrong - YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH TUBE. I am using the Manley Core with a Rode K2 Vacuum Tube condenser mic & let me just say that this is the perfect combo! The sound is so warm & sits on-top of the mix perfectly. It is soo easy to dial in the right sound(s) & I don't think you can make this thing sound bad. I was considering the Avalon 737, Neve Portico II & the Focusrite ISA430 MK II & I'm happy I chose this one as I'm totally blown away by the sound quality of this unit. I am recording at home using a treated iso booth & the vocals come out so good that the mixing stage has gotten much easier & I no longer have to perform surgery to fix bad vocal takes. If you would like to take your studio to the next level, buy this! Spencer took good care of me & helped me chose the right product. Sweetwater rocks!

The Manley Core sounds great! Manley is a great company they make quality gear. Less than month after I purchased the Core I purchased the Manley Reference Cardiod Mic. the two sound amazing together! The core is also astecically pleasing as well! Great job Manley!

I love the Manley Core. It sounds great. It's easy to use. It is not fussy. Plug in any mic and dial it in. Manley makes great products. I have the core and recently just added the Manley Ref Card Mic to my arsenal this week. They both sound spectacular together.I hope to one day add some other Manley pieces to my studio.

The Manley CORE is every bit as delicious as I expected based on Manley Labs' sterling reputation, and this being a relatively new product of theirs. I simply love recording with it, and playing bass and guitar through it. The pre sounds as big and transparent as you'd expect of a great tube pre, but without imposing "tubeyness" on the source audio. The ELOP compressor and Bax EQ both sound buttery-natural. When I play back stuff I've recorded with CORE, I don't hear the gear, just all the glory of the source. I also find it very intuitive. I never have to futz with the settings, constantly groping for that "perfect sound" - it just comes, and then it's set-it-and-forget-it. This unit, to me, is the perfect fusion of classic pedigree and modern implementation: outstanding valve euphonics, absent the "vintage" fetishization. And it doesn't hurt that the unit has a physically sexy presence!

Start off by saying the preamp is amazing!!! So amazing that i had to get thexmanley force to! And with the compressor coming first in the chain is awesome workflow. I was new to analog when i got my core but in no time i had it sounding great with my Manley reference. Adds punch/warmth its a "JUST ADD TALENT CHANNEL STRIP" im working on gettin my second one

Very useful channel. It has become my main go-to for mono signals. Wish I had another one.
For the extra $400-$500 over other similar channels, this is a no brainer.
The Manley tube tone is particularly nice.

The way the internal chain works is great.
The Compression/EQ/Limiter combination in this format really helps bring out nice characters in instruments and Mics. That saves time during recording and mixing, and leaves more time for inspiration.

It's a beautiful unit, both in terms of what it does for a mic signal, or a direct instrument input (bass especially wow) and how it turns heads in a room. Holding this unit in your hands, you get the feeling that unless someone intentionally disassembles it, it's not changing from its 2U dimensions for the next few millennia at least. Gonna take a direct meteor impact to dent this thing. You can't bypass the EQ but you can get close to a reality check with what sounds quite smoothly neutral by neither cutting nor boosting either shelves or the sweepable bell curve. The compressor is probably expectedly a touch sluggish on the attack and it's fairly light compression at it's heaviest, but everything that comes out sounds good regardless of how you set it. I'll have this piece of gear my whole life I hope. Can't imagine my favorite vocal mic ever going through another preamp in my home set up while i own this. Oh, and it's better looking than Salma Hayek.

Best pre ive used!!!!!!

This unit is everything they say it is! Its Warm, Versatile, Clean if you need it to be, Gritty if you need it to be, and makes everything you run through it sound its best. I find it very musical. I also find that it takes no time at all to dial in the sound and performance your looking for. I would highly recommend this unit. It's a great addition to my studio. Thanks Sweetwater for carrying this Product!

This channel strip is very very good.. I'm very familiar with 1073s, 737s and other "high end" pre amps, and I wouldn't hesitate to put this one up against any of those any day on any vocalist.. The detail the mic pre gives you is impeccable... It has a sheen that is so natural and pure, that you're no longer doing damage control as a mixer you're just trying to give the vocal what it needs and not mess it up.. I used this pre with a Manley Reference Cardioid... Sounded amazing. Amazing combo.. can be used with a lot of voices.. You don't really get a big warm bottom but you get tons of detail, and what to me sounds like a huge sheen, a pure, big, natural,"forward sounding" sheen that sounds like a finished record ....It's not better or worse than the best pres by any means, it's just different. In my opinion if you're recording vocals.. get this.. and the manley reference.. and you will be ready for a lot of serious sessions..

Man this pre-amp strip is like wow wee. Finally I'm able to get some warmth and punch in my vocal recordings. It's taking me a while to learn how to use the compressor, eq and limiter on this product so I just bypass them all and do my recordings dry through the pre. I no longer have that clean harsh tone my interface pre was giving me.
I also recorded a trumpet through this and it was great! Only thing...I'm new to this so I was of the opinion that a pre amp would amplify the audio signal, but I had to leave my "HI" knob on in order for my vocalist to get a strong signal. So I would definitely recommend this product. Think it was a great long term investment for my home studio!

Sounds really good. Lots of control and character or flat in n out if you want it. When switching from mic to instrument or switching 48v on/off it can cause hiccups in your ad/da interface requiring a reboot but this rarely happens. Get 2 of em and use the limiters for mastering too.