Introduction - Manley Stereo Variable Mu Owner's Manual

INTRODUCTION

THANK YOU!...
for choosing the Manley Laboratories Stereo Variable Mu ® Limiter Compressor. this unit
has been our best selling product for many years. It is one of the very few compressors
that has become a real standard in Mastering studios and contributed to most hit records
over the last decade and probably the next. "Mu" is tube-speak for gain, and Variable
Mu® is our registered trademark for this limiter compressor. It works by using the
"remote cut-off" or re-biasing of a vacuum tube to achieve compression. The precious
vintage Fairchild 670 also uses this technique and is one of few all-tube compressor to do
so, that we know of. Even the side-chain has glowing rectifier bottles. How's it work?
The unique 5670 dual triode is at the center of the peak-reducing and compression action
constantly being re-biased by the vacuum tube rectified side-chain control voltages
which cause this tube to smoothly change its gain. Just like that.
LOCATION & VENTILATION
The Manley Stereo Variable Mu ® Limiter Compressor must be installed in a stable
location with ample ventilation. It is recommended, if this unit is rack mounted, that
you allow enough clearance on the top and bottom of the unit such that constant
movement of air can flow through the ventilation holes. There are 8 tubes inside this
unit so it does run quite hot. Good ventilation is definitely encouraged.
UNPACKING: Unpack the unit carefully by removing all the custom foam packing
material and make sure that all supplied accessories are present. Carefully examine all
items for any possibility of shipping damage. All of the tubes are already installed and
should have survived the journey from our factory to your studio. They should be
standing at attention in their sockets, and should show no signs of distress such as
chipped glass, loose internal components or obvious breakage. If the unit is damaged or
fails to operate, notify the shipper or your dealer or us or your local authorities
immediately. Or if you suspect The Shipping People threw it off the airplane and onto
your front porch whilst flying overhead at 30,000 feet, notify the shipping company
without delay and complain to them as we only guarantee this unit to be able to survive
a drop of 23,487 feet or less.
Your Manley Variable Mu ® Limiter Compressor was packed by Manny Q. with extreme
love and each box includes the following components and accessories:
a) 1 each, 6 foot IEC 3-conductor power cable
b) 1 each, Owner's Manual
(that we hope you will keep reading.)
It is prudent to retain the shipping materials for future use, as they are custom-formed
for this unit and will greatly minimize the chance of shipping-related damage should
you ever need to put your precious Variable Mu ® in the careless hands of The Shipping
People again. We have heard that certain rodents might enjoy munching on the packing
foam. We are sorry to report that we do not warranty the packing foam against attack by
mice, rats, or other hungry critters, hungry children, hungry neighbors, etc. Try glue
traps or spring-traps loaded with peanut butter to eliminate these unwelcome
freeloaders from your property.
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