A big name for a big microphone but we don’t know how to short it and this is why the title became so long. Anyways, the fact is that the iconic Reference Cardioid Microphone from Manley, out since 1990, recently got a refresh in the gorgeous limited edition. Reference Cardioid Microphone XXX Anniversary Limited edition is the name, just 100 pieces were the stock (initially maybe, we don’t know) and $2,999 the price of the mic.
At this moment every single one piece of the microphone found its owner so you’ll have to hunt one down in the second-hand market but we think there are little chances to find one for the moment at least.
Reference Cardioid XXX Anniversary Limited Edition Microphone
Briefly said the “XXX Anniversary Limited” form the name of the microphone is celebrating 30 years of existence of the mic. The Large Diaphragm Tube Condenser was used in so many well-known recording sessions by a lot of huge artists like Etta James or Katy Perry or Avril Lavigne just to name a few. For its fantastic features the mic has always been a high end piece in Manley’s arsenal but this anniversary edition steps the game up several notches. The mic is built around a 6-micron center-fixed, cardioid-only capsule. The pure sound this imparts is further clarified and enhanced by a diaphragm that’s been sputtered with gold.
The same 12AT7 vacuum tube is guilty of that huge amount of warm. A custom-made output transformer and switchable 10db pad give you total control over the source’s power and volume. This precise combination allows a frequency range running from 10Hz to 30KHz, with only 200 ohms of impedance.
The microphone is powered by Manley’s in-house Switch-Mode Power Supply, the same one found in many of the company’s most renowned microphones. The sensitivity is only 17mV/Pa, allowing this fantastic premium mic to capture a whisper and a scream with equal fervor.
As icing on the cake, the brass-machine body can slip right off, revealing the innards in one piece for easy servicing. Manley’s T-bar handle and locking clutch are on board, adding to the stellar appearance and build quality. The microphone’s easy servicing, sturdy build, and professional appearance check all the right boxes for a marvelous studio-grade cardioid.
This special anniversary microphone celebrates a legendary piece of kit that’s been used by hitmakers the world over. Its beautiful design captivates, and its power and control make it the end-all-be-all for capturing speaking or singing vocals, ambient sounds, instrumentals, and more.
Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone XXX Anniversary Limited Edition Microphone Features
- Anniversary Limited-Edition version
- Original and proved Manley tube circuitry
- All-tube construction with triode 12AT7
- Customoutput transformer
- Switchable 10dB pad
- Highest-quality components
- External PSU and 30′ power supply cable with locking 7-pin connectors
- Waterproof flight case with key, leather capsule protector are included in the package that come with the microphone
- Warranty: 5-year parts and labor and also 90-day vacuum tubes
- Handcrafted in Manley Labs’ Chino, California, US
Manley Reference Cardioid Microphone XXX Anniversary Limited Edition Microphone Tech Specifications
| Microphone Type | Large Diaphragm Tube Condenser |
| Mono or Stereo | Mono |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid |
| Diaphragm size | 0.98″ (25mm) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz-30kHz |
| Max SPL | 150dB SPL |
| Output Impedance | 200 ohms |
| Sensitivity | -35.4 dBV/Pa (17 mV) |
| Pad | -10dB |
| Tube | 12AT7 vacuum tube |
| Power Source | Manley Custom-designed outboard with switched-mode |
More info about Reference Cardioid XXX Anniversary Limited Edition Microphone you can find directly on the official site. Sign up to the Manley’s Newsletter if you want to know if it will be a stock update in order to have the chance to buy one.
