All the high-quality electronics of Manley's Gold Reference Series, but with a center-fixed cardioid-only capsule and a thicker gauge gold sputtered diaphragm.
The Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone shares the same electronic attributes as the Gold Reference Series, but has a center-fixed cardioid-only capsule with a thicker gauge (6 micron) gold sputtered diaphragm. With the similar film thickness and construction, similar high frequency resonance (a little edge), similar proximity effect and pretty good immunity from pops and sibilance problems, the Reference Cardioid more closely recalls how many of the vintage European tube mics such as the beloved U47 sounded like when they were new.
Its rich tonal balance and liquid character is consistently admired for instruments such as guitars, drum overheads, saxophone, and especially vocals. With your present mic, if you find yourself leaning on your compressors and boosting 5 or 10K to score a bit more testosterone, then the Reference Cardioid just might be the mic you’re looking for to cure what ails ya. If you seem to be constantly boosting 12-18K and trying to get a clean, intimate sound, then probably the Reference Gold would be the safest bet.
Reference Cardioid Microphone Features
All-Tube triode design 12AT7 (2011 build. Previous versions used 12AX7 and 6072.)
-10 dB switchable pad
Frequency response: 10Hz-30KHz
Sensitivity: 17mV/Pa
Noise typically -120dB EIN
Max SPL: 150dB
Actual output impedance 200 Ohms
Weight: 2.25 lbs (mic)
Weight: 2.5 lbs (PSU)
Size: 4.5" x 9.7" x 4.5" (mic)
Size: 5" x 8.2" x 3.4" (PSU)
Shipping weight: 15 lbs
Selected matched pairs available
Outboard Power Supply is factory set for 100V, 120V or 220-240VAC operation for original destination country's mains voltage.
Operating Mains Voltage changeable with power transformer re-wiring via internal jumpers and fuse value change.