Manley Labs has announced the new Manley Nu Mu, a studio compressor designed to deliver Manley’s signature sonic quality while breaking new ground on both features and price.

Manley Nu Mu feat
Manley Nu Mu

The Manley Nu Mu is a hybrid compressor design that combines the front end tube topology of the T-Bar Variable Mu with a solid state side chain and output stage to deliver Manley’s big, full-bodied signature tube sound in a package that breaks new ground in performance and value. The Nu Mu is packed with features that set it apart from everything else in its class, starting with Manley’s acclaimed IRON® input transformers on balanced XLR connectors and including the same ultra-low impedance switched mode power supply used on the Manley CORE.

The Nu Mu incorporates an all-new feature called the HIP control, allowing it to apply compression at lower dynamic ranges, while leaving louder dynamics unaffected. The result is a higher overall level, without squashing the dynamics of the most exciting transients.

“Until now, this type of effect could only be accomplished using parallel compression, combining the compressed and uncompressed signals,” explains Manley Labs President and Co-Founder EveAnna Manley. “The Nu Mu’s HIP function achieves the same results, but with less effort and less hardware. It’s perfect for adding just a kiss of compression, but with that classic Manley sound.”

Manley Nu Mu features

  • Manley IRON® input transformers.
  • 4 x hand-matched 6BA6 vacuum tubes.
  • Balanced XLR inputs & outputs.
  • Manley HIP function raises soft dynamics without squashing louder passages.
  • High Voltage Switched Mode Power Supply custom designed for our vacuum tube audio circuits.

The Manley Nu Mu will be available mid-January 2016, at a MSRP of $2,800 USD.

More information: Manley Labs / Manley Nu Mu