Manley Laboratories
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Professional audio equipment |
| Predecessor | Vacuum Tube Logic of America, Inc. (VTL) |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | David Manley, EveAnna Dauray |
| Headquarters | Chino, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | EveAnna Manley (President, CEO) |
| Products | Microphones, signal processor units, dynamic range processors, equalizers, DACs, mastering equipment, tube audio amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, preamplifiers |
Manley Laboratories, Inc. is a US-based producer of professional audio and premium audio gear, headquartered in Chino, California.
Established in 1988, Manley Laboratories gained independence by 1993. Their range of products encompasses microphones, signal processor units, dynamic range processors, equalizers, DACs, dedicated mastering equipment, tube audio amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and preamplifiers.
History
David Manley, an engineer specializing in recording and film, started crafting vacuum tube amplifiers in South Africa during 1980. By 1983, his Vacuum Tube Logic (VTL) amplifiers were manufactured in the UK to serve the European clientele. In 1986, David and his son Luke showcased these amplifiers at the Consumer Electronics Show in the US, which prompted expanded distribution stateside and led to production relocating to Chino, California under Vacuum Tube Logic of America, Inc. (VTL).
The year 1988 marked the launch of Manley Laboratories by VTL as a brand dedicated to high-end vacuum tube amplifiers tailored for home audio enthusiasts. That same year, EveAnna Dauray joined the team, contributing business expertise and progressively assuming roles in production, quality assurance, and management.
Manley's inaugural professional studio offerings featured a 60 dB Microphone Preamplifier and the Manley Enhanced Pultec Equalizer, both introduced at the 1990 AES Convention alongside Reference Cardioid and Reference Gold microphones.
Following their marriage, David and EveAnna Manley saw a division of business interests in 1993—Luke established VTL Amplifiers, Inc., while David and EveAnna founded Manley Laboratories, Inc., inaugurating a new manufacturing facility in Chino. EveAnna acquired comprehensive experience across all company operations. When David moved to France in 1996, EveAnna assumed leadership responsibilities. The company’s sales doubled within three years. After their separation, EveAnna became the President, CEO, and sole proprietor in 1999.
In 2010, Manley ventured into digital product development through a collaboration with Universal Audio that produced plug-ins inspired by Manley's Massive Passive EQ. Further plug-ins were developed later emulating the Variable Mu limiter compressor, VOXBOX channel strip, and Microphone Preamplifier.
This move into software complemented Manley's established hardware lineup and strengthened its position within the global professional audio industry.
Timeline of noteworthy products
- 1990–1994 Manley 60 dB Microphone Preamplifier
- 1990–1997 Manley Reference A to D Converter featuring UltraAnalog ADCs
- 1990–current Manley Enhanced Pultec Equalizer
- 1990–current Manley Mid Frequency Pultec Equalizer
- 1990–current Manley Reference Gold and Cardioid microphones
- 1990–current Manley ML10 Tannoy speaker cabinets with The Mastering Lab crossover
- 1991–1997 Manley Limiter Compressor Monoblock
- 1993–2016 Manley ELOP® Stereo Limiter
- 1994–2000 Manley Reference DAC utilizing UltraAnalog DACs
- 1994–current Manley Stereo Variable Mu® Limiter Compressor
- 1994–current Manley Monoblock Amplifier (500/200 Watt)
- 1996–current Manley VOXBOX® Combo unit
- 1997–current Manley Monoblock Amplifier (250/100 Watt)
- 1998–current Manley Massive Passive Stereo Equalizer
- 1998–2013 Manley STINGRAY® Stereo Integrated Amplifier
- 1999–2010 Manley WAVE DAC plus Preamplifier
- 1999–2013 Langevin (Manley) Dual Vocal Combo
- 2000–current Manley Neo-Classic SP/PP Monoblock Amplifier
- 2001–current Manley STEELHEAD® Phono Preamplifier
- 2002–current Manley SLAM!® Stereo Limiter and Microphone Preamplifier
- 2002–current Manley Neo-Classic 300B Preamplifier
- 2002–current Manley SNAPPER Monoblock Amplifier
- 2003–current Manley MAHI Monoblock Amplifier
- 2004–current Manley SKIPJACK® Switcher
- 2006–2019 Manley TNT Microphone Preamplifier
- 2008–2014 Manley 16x2 Rack Mount Mixers
- 2010–current Manley MicMAID microphone plus preamplifier switcher
- 2012–current Manley CHINOOK Phono Stage
- 2014–current Manley CORE®+ Reference Channel Strip
- 2015–current Manley FORCE® Four Channel Microphone Preamplifier
- 2016–current Manley ELOP®+ Stereo Limiter Compressor
- 2016–current Manley Nu Mu Stereo Limiter Compressor
- 2017–current Manley Reference Silver Microphone
- 2018–current Manley Absolute Headphone Amplifier