MANLEY SLAM!®
The Manley SLAM! is a powerhouse that lives up to its name, standing for "Stereo Limiter And Micpre." This versatile unit is equipped with two class A mic preamps, Direct Instrument (DI) inputs, and two Electro-Optical Levelling Amplifier (ELOP®) limiters, along with fast FET-based "brick wall" limiters. Whether you're looking to shape vocal recordings, handle dynamic range in mixes, or add character to your sound, the SLAM! has the tools to get the job done.
Key Features
- Two Class A Mic Preamps:
- The SLAM! features tube mic preamps on both channels, providing up to 60dB of gain with an additional 20dB in the limiter. The input attenuator allows for variable pad adjustment to accommodate both soft and loud sources.
- DI Inputs with Variable Impedance:
- Direct Instrument (DI) inputs are available with selectable input impedance, offering versatility for various instruments. The impedance can be adjusted by partially inserting the 1/4" cable, providing options for different tonal characteristics.
- ELOP® Limiter:
- The ELOP® limiter is based on the Electro-Optical Levelling Amplifier circuit, known for its simplicity and effectiveness. The ELOP® limiter on the SLAM! includes a switchable side-chain high pass filter, making it suitable for vocals, mixes, and other tracks.
- Fast FET Limiter:
- The SLAM! incorporates a new fast FET-based "brick wall" limiter with a wide range of clean to gritty limiting options. The FET RELEASE control allows users to dial in various colors, and a "CLIP" setting provides a round shape for limiting.
- Blend Both Limiters:
- Users can blend the ELOP® and FET limiters simultaneously, combining the unique characteristics of each limiter for a customized sound. This dual-limiter approach offers versatility in dynamic control.
- Metering Excellence:
- The SLAM! features real VU meters for raw input levels, final output levels, and ELOP® limiter gain reduction. Multi-color LED ladder peak meters display input and output levels, as well as FET gain reduction, providing comprehensive metering options.
- Switchable VU Meter Pad:
- To accommodate optimized levels without overloading, the VU meters have a 0, -3dB, -6dB switch, ensuring accurate metering in various recording scenarios.
- Versatile Back Panel:
- The back panel includes XLR and 1/4" phone jacks for transformer-balanced and unbalanced I/O. Eight Bantam jacks facilitate side-chain inserts and linking functions, offering additional processing options.
- Flexible Linking Options:
- The SLAM! allows stereo linking using the "STEREO LINK" mode or chaining multiple units for surround work using the "BOTH & EXT" mode. Both modes provide flexibility in channel linking.
- External Power Supply:
- The power supply is housed separately in a cast aluminum box, keeping additional heat and magnetic fields away from the audio components. The illuminated power switch turns on the external power supply for efficient operation.
- Mastering Version Available:
- For mastering applications, a dedicated mastering version is available, eliminating the mic preamps, incorporating detented controls, and providing extra metering options.
The Manley SLAM! is designed to deliver exceptional analog processing for both tracking and mastering purposes. With its combination of tube mic preamps, ELOP® and FET limiters, and flexible linking options, the SLAM! stands as a comprehensive solution for achieving optimal levels, dynamics, and tonal shaping in a professional recording setup.
