Manley Reference Cardioid Review / Test (vs. U67, LCT1040, AT2020, NW700)

[@Fanaton]

IMHO u67 is the winner! Great review as always Bendrew!

[@Rod-Wheeler]

You should do a drop test from 6ft onto a concrete floor to show it's durability.

[@techmed-rainer]

Or just pass it through to Jerry, though there is no glass on it.

[@DJAultric]

@@techmed-rainer lmaoooo

[@theiammike123]

considering its price, it better be. 😆😆😆

[@BottleneckMoses]

And to test for resonant frequencies.

[@KevinGenus]

ROFLMAO!!

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke! A big thank you from your Vice Executive Producer 😉 for this overwhelming amount of comparisons. I liked the sound of the Manley Reference Cardiod, but it wasn't my favourite. In comparison I tend much more to the Neumann 87 AI (sooo smooth but still clear) the TF 51 and the LTC 1040 (I hope I got all those letters and figures right).

[@Podcastage]

Vice Executive Producer Associate Legislature Rainer, thank you so much! As always you are too kind and generous. The TF51 was a real breath of fresh air for me in the comparisons. The 1040, I'm not the biggest fan with the clear setting (I prefer the Warm/Dark modes) but I thought it would be the best comparison to this bright mic. And the U87/U67 have that beautiful sound to them. Thank you again!

[@tombuck]

What an absolutely tubular mic! I love these reviews because it’s an entirely different world of mics that I have no knowledge of.

[@jesusflores2121]

I really appreciate that you thought enough of your audience, your channel, and just the sheer integrity of what your show is all about that you paused on the release a review of this microphone. Just shows integrity and quality programing. So many people let their emotions get involved when things don't go as they expected, even in professional settings. Speaking of which, I always like it when people talk about things that happened before the pandemic that have resolved in a positive way in the present. Thank you for the review!

[@Tha_Mecca]

I just wanna say thanks. Since being introduced to your page, I’ve learned quite a bit about microphones and your recommendations are always spot on. I truly appreciate what you deposit into the audio community especially for folks like myself partaking in a musical journey wanting expert advice on microphones. Also, you definitely need a sponsorship from a mic manufacturer or at least a signature microphone with your name on it 💯💯💯

[@drakewatkins2624]

That manley is so open and clear it’s crazy sheeesh 🔥

[@TheRecordist]

Great review, Bandrew! I love all those mic comparisons, too! You really are the king of the mic addicts. ;-)

[@jeremyg2245]

Great review as always Bandrew! In my opinion, this mic is super clear and crisp in everything BUT the highs. That sibilance is piercing, but not like it normally sounds on your voice... It's so hissy at times that it almost sounds like white noise to me. In terms of tube mics, the TF51 is a bit warmer but, for the money, sounds much more pleasing to my ears...

[@paulsmith1807]

Brilliant review. It's so great to keep coming back to the Manley after you test each of the other mics for comparison because you really start to dial in on the actual sound of the Reference Mic. Totally agree with the summary too - some voices really won't suit this mic. Top work

[@Podcastage]

Thanks for checking it out Paul! Really appreciate the kind words.

[@tomnaumann2104]

Honestly, I think I like your voice through the Telefunken TF51 the best. The Neumans have a nice familiar character to them, but the TF51 sounds more “high fi” with a rich low end to my ears, at least on the headphones I’m using.

[@redscott7179]

Great review! The customer service on a mic of this price is disqualifying

[@Podcastage]

I'm glad I bought it to review it, but if I wasn't reviewing it and I could do it all over again, I wouldn't rebuy it. Just doesn't have the sound for me, and getting the lemon put a sour taste in my mouth.

[@RaxArcade]

It's always interesting to come into the comments on these videos and see 100 people with different opinions. For me personally a $3000 mic needs to be the universal favourite to be worth the price tag. Which I don't think it ever will be because sound is so subjective

[@Arienne]

this thing has, no joke, one of the cheapest off the shelf capsules in china, and it sounds amazing. really goes to show how important the rest of the mic design is. the capsule is about $8 OEM, so you don't need to worry about messing up the mic with plosives or SPL.

[@fluph1]

I thought it sounded OK. Not 3000+ for my ears.

[@dylanj8676]

You can definitely tell it has that capsule in it.

[@Screaming-Trees]

@@dylanj8676 Hahah yep. Frequency response is all in the capsule. Rest of mic is nowhere near as important.

[@dylanj8676]

@@Screaming-Trees There are some exceptions like when you have circuitry that either cuts the highs like the U87, or boosts the highs like some of the cheaper AKG mics. But in a flat circuit like this it's definitely 99% the capsule.

[@Screaming-Trees]

@@dylanj8676 Exactly. And pretty much the most difficult thing to get right.

[@superstringsbro]

Wow. You finally did it. I’ve been waiting on this review for a long time 👍

[@keithgendler8727]

I'm not inclined to add this one to the bucket list. Thanks Bandrew!

[@cristopherjohansson1323]

That U67 sounds incredible!

[@gkanai]

Where else can you get an unbiased (i.e. Bandrew paid for this mic himself) review of a $3K mic against many other popular mics? Nowhere else but here. Thank you Bandrew!

[@juicy_oranges5529]

Thank you Bandrew!

[@AhmadQ.81]

Keep up the great work. Great review as always.

[@D.Uwins-music]

The Manley sounds incredible.

[@exinated]

Hey Bandrew, I actually bought the Manley Ref C after going through multiple reviews and sound samples on KZbin, this video included. That was what made me buy one last August 2022. Unfortunately, like you, I got a lemon too, and my experiences with Manley support was similar to yours in their response so I don't think it's due to the COVID lockdown that caused their support team to respond this way. I bought my Manley through Thomann which shipped a unit from Germany, cos the shipping was cheaper and nearer to where I am. When the mic arrived, I noticed this sporadic low end popping sound that sounded like someone bumping the mic that would appear in the recording.Initially I thought it was due to dirty power, so I plugged the tube power supply into my power conditioner and nothing changed. It was annoying cos I would use the mics for recordings and sometimes the pops would appear in the middle of the line and I couldn't use that vocal take at all. Slightly embarrassing in front of my clients as I had to explain to them why the recording was like that. This was a couple of weeks after I bought the mic. I contacted Manley support and sent them all the pops i've recorded and same as you, they sent me a replacement tube. Pops was better but still present and we were going through multiple solutions to no avail. After that, the person i was in touch with told me he had to consult the tech team and then ghosted me for 2-3 weeks even after several emails trying to follow up. In the end, they suggested for me to return the mic back to Thomann to have their Manley distributor have a look at it. I had to pay out of pocket for the shipping which costed several hundred dollars due to the distance and size. When it finally reached the tech's table in Germany, he told me it was a faulty capsule that was causing the issue and replaced it for me, sent it back in 2 weeks. The tech was awesome btw, did a fantastic job. Thomann was also nice enough to reimburse me the shipping cost since it was faulty when it arrived. But yes, Manley support was paltry at best IMO. Great company, great products but pretty bad support. Btw, I've got the new power supply compared to yours and my noise floor is quiet.

[@Podcastage]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this as well, it's great information to have. Sorry you ended up with a lemon and had to go through the headache like that. Quite a shame that a faulty capsule could make it through their QA on such a high end mic. I understand it happens, but on stuff that's so expensive it really shouldn't. I'm glad to hear that the noise floor for you is much lower, I was unlucky enough to buy this right before they pushed out the new power supply so it's just another situation where I got the bad end of the stick. Glad you got everything resolved and that you're getting a great sound now! Happy recording!

[@exinated]

Yes I agree for the price you're paying on the mic that something like this shouldn't have happened, especially with the capsule albeit it being a Chinese-made capsule. Don't get me wrong, I'm still using my microphone and it's been my main mic since it got repaired, but the process of going back and forth with Manley support has been quite disappointing and frustrating. They did offer to have it sent back to the factory in Chino but they said it might be faster to go through Thomann as they have a reputable Manley distributor and repair centre in Germany, of which the tech did a great job with a quick turnaround time of under a week before sending it back to Thomann to get it sent back to me. Hope you're still loving your Ref C! Keep those reviews coming. =)@@Podcastage

[@thevoiceoveroutlaw]

This is the one I've been waiting for...

[@SavoxYT]

Yep, Jack Black does indeed use a Manley. He's singing into one in the music video for Tenacious D's cover of "Time Warp".

[@Ramdas_Devadiga]

You have helped save so many $$$$ - especially the one who have GAS like me. Many, many thanks ✌🏻

[@Boojakascha]

well worth the waiting, I loved this review :D

[@QuantumGamingUploads]

Always wait for Tuesday's Bandrew reviews. Always a Pro

[@RadicalRumin]

while not harsh, it is somewhat piercing in the high mids and highs. They're just very very present. This might mean it works very well for certain types of music with thick thick mixes or for spoken word on specific voices

[@jtc_jeremy]

NF uses it. I think it just comes down to mixing.

[@alchemydrive]

Happy with my Neumann u87, nice to hear it compared with this mic which was my second choice for long term investment.

[@JaeBTundra1]

You made a great choice my man lol

[@eddwardmusic]

I'm the u87 owner and honesly idk why, but I'm not satisfacted with that mic, I think it sounds kind of dull and muddy. I would prefer a mic that sounds modern and bright like Sony c800g, but damn it costs $$.$$$, idk, probably someday gonna swipe back to some cheaper mics but brighter, like tlm 102, or tlm 103

[@alchemydrive]

@@eddwardmusic If you want a modern, bright (and cheap) mic sound try the new Sony c80 that came out recently. You could also try the Avalon plugin and boost 20k or 32 k with your u87 for a more crisp/modern sound. I write and record vintage rock music so U87 is a no brainer for me. Best of luck!

[@JaeBTundra1]

@@eddwardmusic Hey wussup Edd. The U87ai is a very detailed mic you know. It shouldnot sound muddy. How's your room treatment? What interface and preamp are you using? You can get a bright modern sound out of the U87ai.

[@sdmackpictures]

I use an Electrovoice RE20 and I love the sound. Personally, I see the Manley is high rated and super expensive and my mentor Don Lafontaine used it. But changing the tube every 6 months? Wow! Even if I had money to burn, I'd get a Neumann, which I used when I worked in broadcast TV production many years ago. This was a really amazing review. Thanks so much!

[@Podcastage]

Yeah. I know a lot of people swear by the Manley, and maybe I just got terrible luck, but it just wasn't a fit for me. RE20 is a great sounding mic though and without the tube it makes the upkeep a heck of a lot easier.

[@talkbackbutton]

Manley was the best for your voice, its hyped by in the correct manner. I was surprised actually, the thing is sweet.

[@MrEMacable]

I hear ya. I’ve have an 87 for years and bought the Manley more recently. Upon first listen I was concerned at the extended top and and frequency response. Worried it would be less versatile. But at the end of the day I ended up just using far less EQ on it and having A smoother better fitting sound for the majority of tracks I used for

[@perrykeshahwalker5321]

Man I like the neat king bee over the Manley mic. It sounds fuller in the low end and has a smoother mid-top to me.

[@Jisooee]

Pls do review the Warm Audio WA-8000 Tube Mic! It's the 1/3 price of this one.. Needed a review from you!

[@zeitakulobusta]

Didn't throw that box didja?! Hehe Good to see you back and good on you being a grown-up and taking your time on this one. Btw wouldn't say you have a high voice....oh and you know the Ref C was one of Don LaFontaine's faves right?!

[@tadmorta]

Great video. Can't beat the Neumann in my opinion, it sounds the best on your voice. I am still unsure whether I like the U87 or the U67 best, though.

[@midex1]

My opinion is similar. The microphone (Manley) itself is quite nice and well balanced throughout the frequency range. Some of the cheaper mics also performed well, but it's hard to match the sound of the U87 & U67. Actually for me the difference between U87 and U67 is similar to the difference between SM58 and Beta58 - both are great microphones, but I like the second better. 👍

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

You are raeet.

[@franklong6269]

Great review! The comparison with other mics was especially constructive. I own the Rode NT1 and I was pleasantly surprised to see that it equaled, even possibly bettered the expensive Manley mic. The high-end on the Rode NT1 seemed to be a little clear. Both the Neumans also sounded better in my opinion - the U67 was possibly the best of all the mics. The Lewitt sounded good also. As the owner of NT1, I was notably impressed how well it compared to the Neuman mics and Lewitt mics. Also the Rode NT1. I really didn't hear a difference of capturing "every detail" in the mic comparisons. I thought the Rode NT1 did a better job. The Neuman U67 seemed to dominate the other mics, but then, it is a $7,500 mic. As far as vocals, I think I would prefer the Rode NT1's capture abilities for the money. The NT1 has almost no background noise and it has beautifully authentic recording qualities for both vocals and instruments. The U67 is better, but not $7000 better. Again, great job!

[@stanleynowak9325]

Yeah, it would not be as helpful if he compared it to chewing gum! 😁

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

NT1 is a killer microphone.

[@ertatta]

The NT1 it’s quite nice for the money, but it is nowhere even in the league of the manly. I’d say the closest you can get to the realm of some of the higher end large diaphragm mics would be the sure KSM 32 At around $500.

[@franklong6269]

@@ertatta What mic would you recommend? I play acoustic guitar and sing original songs.

[@ertatta]

@@franklong6269for acoustic guitar I absolutely love small diaphragm omni mics especially as a stereo pair. The now discontinued AKG Blueline(se300b) series with interchangeable capsules are an outstanding value for guitar, percussion, or symphonic applications. I think getting some cardioid or hyper cardioid capsules as well will be invaluable and generally sound more natural than your average large diaphragm. The NT1 is actually quite nice sounding for vocal work especially at that price. If your going to step up to a more detailed and accurate sounding vocal mic, I’d go with the Shure KSM 32, 44 & the AKG 414XLS, 414XLII.

[@General_Puffball]

So much for the idea that prominent reviewers always receive pristine gear!

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Awesome video appreciate your reviews

[@utubewillyman]

I'm here because I stumbled upon a KZbin video of a young singer named Emily Linge singing Morning Has Broken. I thought her mic sounded great and wanted to figure out what she was using. I had to scroll through a bunch of mic photos to finally find the brand and model. Then I was pleased to see there was a Podcastage review for it. It seems to be a really great mic for vocals, but is out of my budget.

[@ryanlaperlemusic]

Awesome review 👏🏼👏🏼. Can you do akg C12VR 🙌🏽🤔

[@LearnLightAndSoundSessions]

Bandrew, I think your voice sounds pretty good through this microphone, probably like you think my voice sounds good through a U87.

[@DirectorsGarage]

Fabulous mic. I hope you get to try the gold version someday. One of my favorites.

[@guthreleonard4164]

IT'S HERE!

[@guthreleonard4164]

and it'sss ssssooo ssssibilant

[@alexandre7634]

It sounds super good, even in your untreated room or in your bathroom ✌️

[@davidshoukry4065]

The U67 was my favourite, but nowhere is the law of diminishing returns more clearly seen than in mic design. Says a lot about the cheaper manufacturers that they do so well for so little money.

[@natehardy7093]

Would love to see you review the Tlm 67, curious how it compares to the reissue and the u87

[@arande3]

Really enjoyed the music test here, had that I don't know feeling to it, it just has that feeling

[@Podcastage]

Thanks so much Arande!

[@EhrickWho]

That PP DB switch got me weak 😂.

[@JohnSmith-oe4bw]

IMO, the LCT1040 sounded the sweetest and smoothest, while being most even in frequency response. The Manley sounds a little too sterile. Especially for the cost. I hear 2 peaks. One in the upper mids around 3-4k, and another around 7-9k. I don't know about this one.

[@TotalSmashTV]

I have the one and only U and after buying a lot of mics... the lct 540 s is still my baby. That thing sounds so rad. LCT know how to make a mic fo sho

[@pjlira]

The Lewitt is my favorite.

[@savethefails]

I bought one of these a couple years ago and it was really noisy. I knew it was going to be a little noisier since it was a tube but it was honestly awful. I'm sure that it was a problem with my specific mic but it turned me off and I just returned it. I wanted to love it because I think Manley is an bad ass company but it was just too loud for pro VO.

[@superstringsbro]

They use a new power supply now so it’s not as noisy as before.

[@nobodyhaslogin]

Down with girly Yeti! Now we have a Manley mic. Sorry. I had to. But it's quite a good mic. I really like how it swallows the plosives and make you sound like Jack Black (although maybe that's not a mic thing) Definitely not going to buy myself one mostly because it's more than I am comfortable to spend today.

[@Hablmet]

Outside that tube replacing extravaganza, I gotta say I'm not mad with the Manley at all, but for that price I suppose I should be a bit more impressed. I guess tubes never really affected me that much. Hello Neumann

[@ArtVandelay592]

I’m listening on my shitty phone speakers on my break at work, so I can’t comment on the sound too critically, but that sounds more or less in line with how I perceive the Manley everywhere I’ve heard it. I think it’s a good mic if you specifically want that bright and overly articulate vocal sound for modern pop and R&B, and I’m sure on the right voice (i.e Don LaFontaine who had the voice of God himself and loved this Manley microphone) it can be a perfectly competent VO mic too. But for my tastes both for music and VO, there’s other mics that do bright much more pleasingly imo that I would take over the Manley. That Telefunken TF51 for example that’s half the price, that thing is also very airy and detailed but has a nice balanced warmth to it too in the low end that I just love.

[@Johnnygrafx]

As usual, I'm pretty surprised with how well cheaper mics compare. Obviously this one is better than the 2020 or NT1, but its not by as noticeable a margin as you might think

[@Armin.T9]

Welcome to the world of audio. You pay twice for 10% improvement.

[@The-Skyking]

@@Armin.T9 Yup. It's a game of inches.

[@dickginkowski6071]

I wouldn't say obviously better than NT1 (a very quiet, competent mic). You can easily EQ the top a bit if you want. But $269 is a steal for the NT1.

[@drdelewded]

Once you start layering tracks and adding music etc to the source vocal, thats when those subtlies really add up and you notice it... Also just A/Bing mics and then listening to them back after YT compression through your system (which even with my Neumann KH120s or my HD650s) isn't giving you an honest listen to the mic. That all said, im not a fan of the Manley stuff but I don't/won't track/mix the kind of music this mic is made for

[@Ramdas_Devadiga]

@@Armin.T9 The law of diminishing returns - applies to almost every field.

[@cwill2127]

Always pisses me off when companies make you pay shipping for a lemon/RMA. Like it’s your fault, you pay for it! Have had luck with just nicely asking for a prepaid shipping label before, though

[@patrickmersault4298]

Especially good music test this time. Thanks my guy.

[@smielezocker]

Watching a review of a mic I neither can afford nor will probably every buy.

[@JRaze]

Paying out of pocket for a lemon to get repaired 🤔, seems like something they should cover with such an expensive microphone. If you are going to charge a premium, I think the customer service you receive should reflect that.

[@jcap8391]

For real. Bet this mic cost less than half to make. Sure as hell don't see any advertising on this

[@stanislouse4168]

@@jcap8391 Maybe 5oo-600 bucks max, if that.

[@DevGambit]

I don't know man that NW700 sounds pretty good to me.

[@Pentti_Hilkuri]

With my ancient living room setup I didn't notice a $3275 difference. =)

[@RedBeardedRabbit]

Unironically more listenable for spoken word. The Manley has too much top end, sounds tiring.

[@senzayyzone]

Love your videos they're 😎👍

[@pml394]

Thank you for another great review - Maybe you could make a comparison between your expensive u67 reissue and the Les expensive Tlm 67 ?

[@Podcastage]

If I can get my hands on a TLM67, I will absolutely be comparing them.

[@dioakata]

I have to do it. That is one MANLY microphone.

[@ChrisCebelenski]

So many variables when choosing a mic - for me one important one is contextual - how will I use it? Yes, price matters, but only sort-of, once you have a certain level of professionalism. For a top-notch gig I could justify a microphone in this range, but should I? I'll cut to the chase and say that if you have one of a few of the other mics compared here, I wouldn't recommend this one. I can play really well with the mid-range Neumann, the SE elec monster mic, and even the King Bee if that's what I had, and probably you wouldn't notice. The results might be slightly different, but most of my clients wouldn't hear it. It's to the point now that we're talking hair differences in overall results (leaving aside physical construction, noise rejection, etc, see "contextual" above.) I wouldn't run this in an open noise room because you'd hear the A/C for example. It's a good mic with some trade-offs, but it won't be in my mic locker because I have so many good choices today that maybe have different tradeoffs.

[@thumbody1]

The Manley IS a very detailed mic. I think the Lewitt LCT1040 sounded a lot like it but the U67 is definitely the winner. It just sounds bigger. I thought the Manley sounded considerably better than the U87 which is disappointing because I have one of those but, it's still a great mic.

[@Podcastage]

I don’t think you’d ever get a complaint while using a U87.

[@realtalkroscoeg]

Manley is not better the the U87.

[@eddwardmusic]

@@realtalkroscoeg oh trust me, as an ex U87 user it is, now I'm happy Manley owner and this is it! P.S. A great mic between U87 and Manley (already tried) is Telefunken TF51, such a nice sounding mic!

[@AndyKingCo]

I love the Manley ref c over the U87 sounds clear and detailed

[@eddwardmusic]

@@AndyKingCo true! Since Manley, I don't even use EQ, with my U87 I spen hours and hours EQ and till the end still not what I wanted (clear sound as C800G). Manley is the closest mic to the C800G on the "budget"

[@rtdrec]

Nice Review! Could you test the new Neve / Se Electronics flagship "SE RNT"?

[@blackheadcollectionstamp4806]

Thank you for sharing this tutorial

[@thebreakfastmenu]

Bandrew has that drip though

[@Podcastage]

I'm dripping? I always make sure to shake before putting it away.

[@andrewr4792]

The dorm room I stayed in college was called Manley. Never again. It brings back many bad memories.

[@stanleynowak9325]

Bandrew, could you please say Telefunken five times fast? In all seriousness you and Booth Junkie together are the only studio microphone reviewers I bother with.

[@LBJedi]

Also, excellent review as always! I had this mic on my list as of potential “goal mics”, but I think I can actually take it off now; which narrow my choices is always a relief😊 Interface question for you; have you heard anything about the new Neve 88M? I can’t find muxh out there other than promo stuff.

[@Podcastage]

I have heard of the R88m, I haven't ordered it, and I"m not sure if I'm reviewing it. I think Alec Brits did a review of it though and his channel is fantastic.

[@LBJedi]

@@Podcastage I actually just discovered his channel via that video, and binged almost all of his content. It is truly fantastic like you said. We’ll, since I respect your opinion so much, (I bought my Shure KSM32 based on your video and adore that mic) which 2-channel interface would you buy at this moment in time? I’m looking at anything from the Apollo Twin X to the RME Fireface.

[@nuiizthanachart3425]

Hmm, am I the only one who thinks the TF51 has the most natural and flat sound? To my ears, most other mics seem to boost the mids and have a nasal quality. I'm not sure if that's desirable in a good microphone, but it seems like a lot of them have that characteristic.

[@caspermaster-com]

I do find this mic pretty grading on every sound source even outside this video. I tested to eq notch and found that 2,3khz and 3khz could be reduced a lot with a high q. But then it felt a bit to clinical compared to the Neumann's or Lewitt IMO. That area that I notched out are where the ear is most sensitive so the mic feels almost a bit "unsafe" to listen to. But for the right genre and voice I know it is great

[@v_shkafu]

14:01 Heh, problem sounds familiar :D Had almost exact same issue with Oktava MK-119 in 2020. After ~4-5 sessions i started to hear some cracklings and explosions in recordings (like "p"'s and "b"'s but only without pop-filter and without me in front of the mic).

[@GeorgeWhittam]

This is the mic Don LaFontaine, the voice of god, movie trailers voice used in his home studio. They changed the internals of this mic sometime in the last 20 years, original model I heard from another studio so much lower self noise and clean.

[@Podcastage]

Thank you very much for the comment. I think with a voice like Mr. LaFontaine, you can make any mic sound amazing. Also, I believe they just updated to a new power supply which is in theory supposed to lower the noise floor.

[@GeorgeWhittam]

@@Podcastage We have two Manley Ref. Cardioids at the DLF VO Lab in SAG-AFTRA Foundation, too. He received mics from several companies in the time I worked for him, and yes, he always sounded incredible.

[@LBJedi]

Wait a minute! Did you just giggle when you said “front bottom”?🤣

[@Podcastage]

Who, me? Noooooo. I'm mature. Promise.

[@sanjulianx]

I really prefer the lct 1040. Sounds better and waaaay more versatile😂

[@LexingtonAnderson]

I bought the Manley and returned it. Sure its gorgeous, but that's about it. It just was too old school for me when compared to the Lewitt 1040 at the this price point. Besides, it did nothing for my baritone voice. Finally, the box warns you to keep for future warranty service. So Manely tells you to expect repairs from the start.

[@Podcastage]

For some people it seems to work great. It sounds as though for people like us, it's not the right fit. If you ended up with the 1040, I hope it's treating you well.

[@othinus]

Rode Procaster 2022 rereview please and thank you!

[@BGRecon]

Im glad the king bee still sounds good.

[@zered99]

Hello Brandrew, and amazing community! i just got my sE Dynacaster & Scarlett Solo yesterday, my first introduction into more in depth audio and i had a couple questions regarding my interface/mic when not in use so; 1. Is it ok to leave 48v phantom power on when i go to bed? or can i just turn off 48v when my mic is not in use. 2. If i need to unplug my mic to do a cleaning or a big re-adjustment, should i turn off 48v before unplugging the cable or can i just leave it on? Thanks everyone for all of your amazing support, and thank YOU Bandrew for allowing me to learn a lot and put my foot into the door with audio!

[@eddwardmusic]

hey, seems like nobody answered your question, so here I am. 1. It's totally ok to leave 48v phantom power on, as long as you don't have a tube mic. (used to have a tlm 102 and now u87 and they are 24/7 on) 2. nothing will happen as long is not a ribbon mic, most of the condenser mics are fine to plug in/out with phantom power turned on, but just to make sure, always better to turn off, just to be double safe.

[@LanceBlairVO]

Great review, thank you. The Manley pics up too much room ambience and has too much self-noise. I like all the other mics from the NT1 (which I use) upwards. The Lewitt Mics sounded great.

[@LanceBlairVO]

@Bandrewscott. Thank you for everything you do. Merry Christmas to you too!

[@matthiaskrause1155]

The mic sounds fantastic, even with your voice. I think I prefer this over the Neumanns, it's more natural and does not have the Neumann sound. I would like to hear a comparison with the Neumann U89, that seems to have a more similar sound than the U87 and U67. I like the sound, but would prefer a mic without tubes, simply for convenience.

[@Maddocklifts07]

You should review the Se7 mic, Im curious about it

[@jtc_jeremy]

This is the mic NF uses 🙏🏻

[@Podcastage]

Who is NF? And Manley mics are very very popular and a lot of people get great sounds out of them.

[@jtc_jeremy]

@ NF is a fairly popular rapper whom expresses his emotions and childhood trauma through music! Picture Eminem if his music was darker and more “depressing.” He’s the reason I started creating music.

[@ROBOTRIX_eu]

..it would be chalenging, (being alone), but a blind test/rating would be fun! .. maybe recording , judging, and only in end rate..or side by side with same color, brand and type of cable connected to a rode mixer..or equal exterior boxes with a foam in front to speak while mic inside..just an idea..or.. someone help you, while you blindfolded.. I still have a marantz..i wish they create soon a high-end dinamic mic.. their pre-amps are so good..

[@ratsneststudio6963]

made in the USA is not what it used to be, we are no longer hungry or innovative, we are more focused on marketing and profit margins and the people building these mics are not necessarily any better or more experienced than in other countries in fact I would argue that we are behind the curve. Remember these mics are assembled in the USA most of the components come from somewhere else so I am not surprised you had quality control issues

[@СергейЧупин-м9ы]

Would be great to show how mics behaves on Whispering) I meant about singnal / noise in real tests.

[@Podcastage]

Good suggestion. Thank you very much.

[@wesstarmedia]

I like the sound, but that pricepoint is ridiculous for a fixed cardoid.

[@PawFromTheBroons]

This had to be tested against the Neewer NW700, otherwise you might have experienced buyer's remorse.

[@noname-gp6hk]

Tfw I am listening on my cell phone speaker and can't tell a difference between this mic and the neewer NW700

[@karasuofficial16]

Abstract uses this microphone now in all his songs. Check out his latest song young nights with mike squires.

[@paulfeiger]

I actually heard a difference in the sound of this mic and liked it! Too bad it's a little out of my price range.

[@dashael1492]

What are the chances of you doin a review of that there Chandler REDD mic?

[@Podcastage]

Those chances are close to zero. I don't have the budget to buy one and I've never heard from them about doing any kind of coverage, so I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

[@eddwardmusic]

@@Podcastage What about Sony C800G, Telefunken ELAM251?

[@Kre1gen]

What's a good mic for gaming/recording mic for xlr and usb. i currently have a fifine k669b usb mic and might be considering switching to an xlr mic any recommendations??

[@jesslucio3104]

How would you compare this to the Avantone CV-12?

[@lance134679]

It sounds good to me, but I guess it should, though, right?

[@elvinedmeade9846]

Mic sounds good

[@yaadiiboy9429]

Telefunken TF51 or Manley reference cardioid?

[@Podcastage]

I prefer the TF51. Take that with a grain of salt though. I had a bad experience with my Manley Ref Card and that put me off it. People seem to love the Ref Card, I just have a bit more faith in the TF51

[@eddwardmusic]

Use both, Manley is very bright (Sony C800G), TF51 is something in between of Neumann U67 and Telefunken ELAM251, somehow dark, but same time bright. It all depends on your style. But anyway I hold 99,99% of the time on Manley, mostly with API preamp, it's so damn clean! I don't even EQ (almost forgot how to use EQing lol)

[@perrykeshahwalker5321]

Ok the lct 1040 sounds the clearest.

[@rkeyology81]

Yikes, the highs sound piercing. The 67 and 87 sound smooth.

[@FreeD00M]

soyuz 017 FET is still missing...