MANLEY MASSIVE PASSIVE®
Manley Massive Passive: Sculpting Sonic Excellence
The Manley Massive Passive is a two-channel, four-band equalizer that stands as a colossal, timbre-twisting force in the realm of audio processing. Crafted with precision and designed for sonic excellence, it utilizes metal-film resistors, film capacitors, and hand-wound inductors to organically shape the tone from subtle to vivid, delivering unparalleled audio quality.
Key Features
- Passive Equalization:
- The "passive" design of the Massive Passive refers to the tone shaping using passive components, including metal film resistors, film capacitors, and hand-wound inductors. This design creates a unique and organic sonic signature.
- Tube Stages:
- Manley's tube stages handle significant HF boosts without introducing sibilance and provide exceptional fatness without muddiness. The Massive Passive offers a classic tube sound with modern flexibility.
- Unique Design:
- The Massive Passive is designed to be fundamentally different, incorporating the best qualities of Pultecs, console EQs, parametrics, and graphics. It allows twice as much EQ with half the coloration, offering huge boosts without sibilance problems and fatness without mud.
- Versatile Application:
- It is suitable for both radical EQ adjustments during tracking and subtle tonal shaping for vocals and mastering. The design allows for a wide range of artistic possibilities.
- Filters:
- The Massive Passive features high pass and low pass filters with five options each, providing steep slopes for effective removal of unwanted frequencies. The filters interface seamlessly with the parametric EQ bands.
- Parametric EQ Bands:
- Four bands of parametric EQ are available, each with selectable frequencies for low, low-mid, high-mid, and high ranges. Each band can be bypassed or set to boost or cut, offering twice the control resolution over conventional EQs.
- Exceptional Headroom:
- Each band is capable of 20 dB of boost or cut, providing exceptional headroom and freedom from clipping. The design allows for precise and powerful adjustments.
- Steep LP and HP Filters:
- The low pass and high pass filters are designed with steep slopes for maximum effectiveness. The slopes range from 18 dB/octave to 60 dB/octave, depending on the filter frequency.
- Transformer-Balanced Outputs:
- The Massive Passive features transformer-balanced floating outputs, adding a touch of desirable flavor to the processed audio. These outputs are custom-designed to accommodate significant boosts.
- MANLEY POWER® Power Supply:
- The integrated MANLEY POWER® power supply ensures high voltage, high headroom, and sonic excellence. It provides 300 Volt DC rails for vacuum tubes, 6 Volt lines, and other voltage rails for optimal performance.
- Visual Feedback:
- The Massive Passive includes a seven-segment LED peak metering for each channel, providing instant visible feedback on audio levels.
- Mastering Version:
- A dedicated Mastering Version of the Massive Passive is available, catering to the specific needs of mastering engineers.
The Manley Massive Passive is a sonic powerhouse, offering a unique and inspiring approach to equalization. Whether used for radical tonal shaping or subtle enhancements, it is a must-have tool for artists and engineers seeking the highest level of audio quality and creative control.