Manley Laboratories Force User Manual
HI
LOW
120Hz 48V
FLAT
180
0
f o r c e
f o r c e
c o r e
FOUR CHA NNE L MIC ROPH ONE P REA MPL IFIE R
HI
LOW
DIRECT IN
120Hz 48V
FLAT
180
0
PHANTOM
f o r c e
R
FO U R C HA N NE L VAC UU M T UB E
M IC RO P HO N E P REA MP LI FI ER
HANDCRAFTED IN CALIFORNIA USA
INPUT
LEVEL
INPUT
LEVEL
MANLEY LABORATORIES INC.
13880 MAGNOLIA AVE. CHINO, CA 91710
PHONE +1 (909) 627-4256
service@manleylabs.com
www.manley.com
HANDCRAFTED IN USA
OWNER’S MANUAL
Contents
PAGECHAPTER
i) Introduction 2
ii) Manual Conventions 2
iii) Copyright Notice 2
1. Important Safety Instructions 3
2. Getting Started 3
3. Front Panel 4
4. System Controls 4-5
5. Connections 6-7
6. Connecting your Preamplifier 8
7. Operational Notes 9
8. Questions & Troubleshooting 10
9. Servicing 11
10. Specifications 12
11. Recall Sheet 13
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
* Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
* Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
* Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
* Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
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1
i) An Introduction To The Manley FORCE Microphone Preamplifier
®
Thank you for selecting the Manley FORCE® Four Channel Microphone Preamplifier. This unit has been
designed by MANLEY to perform under the most demanding situations. It offers excellent headroom, making it
a perfect partner for virtually any microphone found in the studio today. The FORCE features four identical high
quality vacuum tube microphone preamplifiers, housed in a single chassis. The circuit topology is based on our
renowned and award winning CORE® mic preamp section. The FORCE possesses excellent channel separation,
low noise, low distortion and a super flat frequency response.
Each FORCE features our hand wound MANLEY IRON® transformers and a Direct Instrument Input on the
front panel, for keyboards, guitars and any other line-level equipment you may have. Each channel is equipped
with a 48V Phantom supply, two gain settings, a High Pass filter, Phase Invert and a cool seven LED Peak Level
Meter.
The Input Level control is a high quality conductive plastic potentiometer, demonstrating our attention to signal
integrity and purity. The FORCE offers a very natural, clean sound with minimum coloration, making it a
reliable workhorse in the studio. Thank you for choosing MANLEY FORCE. Enjoy!
ii) Manual Conventions
Please take a few moments to read through this manual carefully. It contains essential information for the
proper operation of your Manley FORCE Microphone Preamplifier.
Also in the following pages you will find useful hints and tips, allowing us to help you achieve the utmost
performance from your equipment.
Below are the following conventions, used to pick out particularly important parts of the manual. The
symbols are found in the margin next to the body of text of interest.
Especially Useful Tip
Caution! Pay Attention!
!
®
Important Information. Read Carefully
Refer to another section in this Manual
iii) Notice
This manual provides general and technical information for use, installation, and operating instructions for the
MANLEY FORCE Four Channel Microphone Preamplifier. Manley Laboratories, Inc. reserves the right to make
changes in specifications and other information contained in this publication without prior notice. Manley
Laboratories, Inc. shall not be liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, incidental or consequential
damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material. No statement contained in
this publication, including statements regarding suitability or performance of products shall be considered a
warranty by Manley Laboratories, Inc. for any purpose or give rise to any liability of Manley Laboratories, Inc.
© 2015 COPYRIGHT Manley Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.
This manual and any associated artwork, product designs, and design concepts are subject to copyright
protection. No part of this document may be produced, in any form, without prior written permission of
Manley Laboratories, Inc. Manley FORCE , CORE , MANLEY and the Manley Laboratories, Inc. logo are
trademarks of Manley Laboratories, Inc.
®
® ®
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2
1. Important Safety Instructions
1. Water and Moisture – Do not use The FORCE near any source of water or in excessively moist
environments.
2. Object and Liquid Entry – Care should be taken so that objects do not fall, and liquids are not
spilled, into the enclosure through the openings.
3. Heat & Ventilation – When installing The FORCE in a rack or any other location, be sure there
is adequate ventilation. Improper ventilation will cause overheating, and can damage the unit.
The unit should be situated away from heat sources, or other equipment that produce heat. As
a general rule with tube equipment, it is wise to keep a 1U gap below and above if possible.
4. Power Sources – The FORCE has a universal power supply which can operate in any country. It
has an input voltage range of 90-260 VAC at 50/60 Hz.
5. Cleaning - The FORCE can be cleaned with just a damp cloth, or alcohol/methylated spirits for
more stubborn marks.
6. Damage - If after unpacking your FORCE there are signs of shipping damage, contact your
dealer.
7. Servicing - Do not attempt any servicing without consulting your dealer or Manley
Laboratories, Inc. The user should not attempt to service the unit beyond that described in the
operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
This unit has high voltages present, even after the power has been switched off.
8. DO NOT connect the AC supply cord until all other connections have been made. Afer initial
power up the power LED will “blink” for thirty seconds. The unit remains in MUTE until this
warm up period has elapsed.
2. Getting Started
Unpacking your MANLEY
The FORCE is secured in its packing carton by two end-caps.
Hold the unit by the middle and simply lift the unit vertically straight out of the box.
After it has been unpacked, check that nothing is loose inside when handling the unit. The unit is
shipped with the vacuum tubes installed. Make sure they are not loose by looking through the vent
holes on the top cover. Ensure they are standing upright in their sockets.
It is advisable to keep the original packaging. In the event of servicing or relocating, the original
packaging ensures that the unit will always be shipped safely.
This package contains the following;
FORCE:
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1 x Manley Reference Channel Strip
1 x Manley Owner’s Manual
FORCE
FORCE
1 x IEC Power Cable
1 x Warranty Registration Card
1 x Warranty Statement
3
3. Front Panel
Diagram 1
180120Hz 48V
HI
0
FLAT
LOW PHANTOM
DIRECT IN
INPUT
LEVEL
CHANNEL 1
4. System Controls
1
3
2
6
7
HI
LOW PHANTOM
DIRECT IN
CHANNEL 2
FLAT
180120Hz 48V
HI
0
FLAT
LOW PHANTOM
DIRECT IN
INPUT
LEVEL
Diagram 2
180120Hz 48V
0
INPUT
LEVEL
180120Hz 48V
HI
0
FLAT
LOW PHANTOM
DIRECT IN
INPUT
LEVEL
HI
FLAT
LOW PHANTOM
DIRECT IN
CHANNEL 3 CHANNEL 4
The controls for each channel are identical to
8
each other. When the push button switches are
engaged and illuminated the top row of switch
labels are in operation.
4
1
5
PEAK LEVEL METER - The seven LED Peak
Level Meter indicates that signal is present. The
first green LED illuminates when there is a signal
greater than -20dBu. The first yellow LED
illuminates when the signal is greater than
+17dBu. The last red LED illuminates when the
signal level reaches +24dBu. This peak red LED
acts as an aid so the user does not overload the
next stage in the chain, as +10dB of headroom is
still available in the FORCE after this LED is lit.
180120Hz 48V
0
INPUT
LEVEL
f o r c e
FOUR CH ANN EL V ACU UM T UB E
MIC ROP HO NE P RE AMP LI FI ER
HANDCRAFTED IN CALIFORNIA USA
POWER SWITCH
& LED
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4
2
HI / LOW GAIN -
The HI/LOW gain switch adds 10dB of gain (or when the internal jumper is set,
20dB of gain) to the circuit when engaged. For most applications, this switch can be in the LOW
position, but for low output microphones or quiet sources, extra gain may be needed. (Note: If the
internal 20dB jumper is used, noise floor will also increase.)
3
HIGH PASS FILTER - The 120Hz high pass filter position is useful for reducing breath “pops,” or
any time a reduction of low frequencies such as air conditioning rumble or stage rumble.
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