Manley Labs celebrates its 30th anniversary with a limited edition classic

Making its entrance into the recording industry in 1990, Manley Laboratories’ Reference Cardioid mic has made its mark on popular music. It can be heard in recordings from classic singers like Etta James to the more modern big-hitters, namely Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Panic! At The Disco and Avril Lavigne. As the company says “if you want to sound like God, just use the same mic Don Fontaine used!”. To celebrate its 30th Anniversary, Manley Labs are reissuing its Reference Cardioid in a limited edition finish of pearlescent white and scarlet accents.

The new microphone, dubbed as Reference Cardioid XXX Anniversary Limited Edition, will feature the Manley Switch-Mode Power Supply, used in the Manley Reference Silver Microphone. It is based on the same technologies present in the Manley CORE, FORCE, ELOP+ and NU Mu processors. The PSU is “empirically quieter than the microphones original linear PSU”, the manufacturer says. “Sonically, we hear faster highs, generally more clarity, and ‘blacker blacks’ in the silence”. The power supply is also universal, meaning you can use it anywhere in the world without a voltage changeover switch or power transformer rewiring.

Although the full name doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, some engineers may find this to be quite the desirable product – especially it’s limited to only 100 units. Manley’s Limited Edition mic will be available from the end of this month through Manley’s resellers, and carries a price tag of $2,999 USD.

Find out more at Manley.com