MICROPHONE PREAMP SECTION:

The preamp is a clone of a highly regarded and popular microphone preamp: the Manley Mono microphone preamp! The microphone input transformer is our own design developed in-house at the Manley Labs factory. High current 48V phantom power can be switched on the front panel. A simple and effective passive BASS CUT switch eliminates noise and reduces pops. The INPUT ATTENUATOR is a variable pad control situated before the first tube stage, allowing the preamp to accommodate +4 line level signals via the balanced LINE INPUT and instruments via the front panel 1/4" DIRECT INPUT. These inputs are selected in the middle position of the dual-function phase inversion switch. We provide transformer-balanced XLR output as well as a transformerless "audiophile" telephone jack output. The gain switch is actually a clever variable feedback control that changes not only the gain, but also the slew rate and flavor of the circuit. With it you can choose how relaxed and smooth or how direct and aggressive you want it to be. See "Notes on Variable Feedback" for more information. Headroom is a strong point in this circuit, with a capacity of +31dBu. That's 5 to 10 dB better than almost all other professional equipment. Music only passes through our super clean and pure Class A vacuum tube circuit. There are obvious advantages to our purist approach and the main one is the final non-electronic sound that transports emotion to the digital world.

COMPRESSOR SECTION:

This cool compressor design takes our Manley ELOP® Limiter opto-isolator approach to the max. We adjusted the ratio to 3:1 to turn our ELOP into a compressor and added ATTACK and RELEASE controls for greater versatility. What's clever is how the signal is compressed before it reaches the tubes, with no detrimental effect on distortion or frequency response. This way, it can avoid microphone pre-cutting and eliminate entire stages of electronics. This cuts the typical microphone-to-tape path in half! We also pioneered new thinking in sidechain, using up to four different time constants simultaneously and controlling them with simple attack, release, and limit controls. We call the approach “Parametric Compression”. We develop ideal configurations or presets based on our favorite Vactrols that we use in our own fast ELOP® limiter, the T-4 module of the fast LA-2A, the slower LA-3A, and then create more complex special configurations. This extended range and timing method delivers fresh sounds, from powerful drums to super-solid bass, but can also emulate the way good engineers delicately control a fader during recording. It's transparent and smooth on vocals, easy to use and accurate. Also rare for an opto-based dynamics processor, this compressor works very well in mixes. Of course, you will need two VOXBOXes connected in stereo...

EQ SECTION:

Many people asked us to include the Pultec Mid-Frequency Equalizer in VOXBOX®, but they wanted MORE.... Now we have extended it to 33 frequencies in 3 bands with 6 new frequencies from 20 Hz to 150 Hz, and 6 more in the treble of 6.4 KHz to 20 KHz. Have you ever noticed that only EQs with real inductors have the magic of low cost, or that only Class A circuits can maintain the best performance? This is for you. The EQ INPUT switch corrects the line input, preamp output or INSERT return. This switch has dual function, acting as a bypass switch for the preamp and/or external processors or for processing two different tracks.

DE-ESSER AND LIMITER SECTION:

Designed for people with notoriously large spaces between their two front teeth, the VOXBOX® combo also includes a de-esser and a peak limiter based on our original ELOP® Limiter design, but with an additional passive LC network to handle all four must be carefully chosen. notch frequencies from 3KHz to 12KHz. (That 3KHz setting really tames those pesky frequencies!) The fifth position offers a limiter that fully mimics the famous LA-2A. This means you can compress the pre-EQ and limit the post-EQ here. Another cool feature is the ability to insert this de-esser quietly and smoothly while the music plays, using it as needed.

THE METER:

The METER is a full-size illuminated Sifam VU meter. A five-position switch shows three audio levels: the line input, the preamp output, and the final output. It also shows the reduction of compressor gain and the action of the de-esser/limiter. Other smart innovations built into the VOXBOX® combo include heating muting circuits, extensive magnetic field containment, 'smart grounding' and silent switching. The sum total is greater than the separate parts: factor in the reduced patch, the short path to tape, and you have that immediate control. As engineers, we choose what we use not just based on features and functions - there's a sound, a texture we're after and the VOXBOX® combo brings together 'Manley Sound' with 'Your Sound'.