Manley’s all-tube VOXBOX channel strip may well be the ultimate voice processor, but it’s also equipped to optimize virtually any source you feed it. The VOXBOX shares its fully featured microphone preamplifier design with Manley’s acclaimed Mono Microphone Preamplifier, offering generous headroom and Class A vacuum tube tone. What’s more, the smooth compressor section blends Manley’s best-selling Variable MU design with the opto-style characteristics of their ELOP. Combined with a flexible Pultec-style mid-frequency equalizer, de-esser/limiter section, and Stereo Link function, the VOXBOX is a true studio workhorse. Spec’d with no fewer than five of Manley’s proprietary transformers, the VOXBOX delivers an assertive, authoritative sound worthy of any reference-grade studio.
Since the late 1980s, Manley has focused on crafting premium all-tube gear. That expertise is fully realized in the VOXBOX, which features USA-made, all-tube Class A vacuum tube circuitry throughout. The result is unmistakable warmth, musicality, and the robust build quality Manley is renowned for.
Derived from Manley’s popular Mono Microphone Preamplifier, the VOXBOX’s mic preamp delivers exceptional analog tone from balanced mic, balanced line, or 1/4" front-panel instrument inputs. Switchable high-current 48V phantom power, a 3-position high-pass filter (80Hz and 120Hz), and a unique 5-position gain switch allow precise control over headroom, drive, and tonal character—from smooth and mellow to bold and aggressive.
The VOXBOX compressor combines elements from Manley’s Variable MU and ELOP designs, offering compression before the tube stage to prevent clipping while maintaining pristine tone. Advanced sidechain circuitry enables Manley’s proprietary “Parametric Compression,” using multiple time constants controlled by simple attack, release, and threshold settings. Presets inspired by classic designs like the LA-2A and LA-3A make this compressor ideal for vocals, drums, bass, and even full mixes when linking two units.
Manley expanded their classic Pultec-style Mid Frequency Equalizer for the VOXBOX, extending it to 33 selectable frequencies across three bands. With real inductors and Class A circuitry, it delivers rich, musical shaping from 20Hz to 20kHz. An EQ input switch allows flexible routing and bypassing, enabling processing of multiple signal paths or external sources.
The integrated de-esser and limiter provide precise control over problematic frequencies. The peak limiter is based on Manley’s ELOP design, while a passive LC network handles de-essing with selectable notch frequencies at 3kHz, 6kHz, 9kHz, and 12kHz. A fifth mode offers LA-2A-style limiting, allowing compression pre-EQ and limiting post-EQ for maximum flexibility.
A full-size, illuminated Sifam VU meter with a 5-position selector lets you monitor line input, preamp output, final output, compressor gain reduction, or de-esser/limiter activity—ensuring complete visual feedback at every stage of the signal path.
Thoughtful design touches include warm-up muting circuitry (with internal bypass), extensive magnetic field containment, smart grounding, and silent switching. Whether in the studio or on stage, the Manley VOXBOX stands as a signal-processing tour de force for engineers seeking an ultra-versatile, reference-grade channel strip.
The Manley Voxbox® is a complete all-tube recording channel designed for vocals and far beyond. This reference-grade channel strip integrates a microphone preamp, passive EQ, opto compression, and de-essing/limiting into a single, cohesive signal path. Drawing on Manley’s renowned standalone processors—including their passive inductor-based EQ, Variable Mu®, and ELOP compression designs—the Voxbox delivers comprehensive processing with rich vacuum tube amplification throughout. Despite its name, the Voxbox is a powerful solution for recording virtually any instrument.
The Voxbox® integrates time-tested Manley circuit designs into a unified recording and processing chain. Its microphone preamp is built around transformer-coupled input stages, while the compression section blends electro-optical gain reduction with the musical behavior of both Variable Mu® and ELOP compressors, delivering exceptional flexibility for dynamic control.
The Voxbox’s passive inductor-based EQ provides smooth, musical shaping across low and high frequency bands using true Class A tube circuitry. Complementing the EQ, the electro-optical compressor offers transparent, natural gain reduction for vocals, instruments, and complex program material. The built-in de-esser and limiter further enhance control, making the Voxbox ideal for clean, confident tracking into digital recording systems.
Each Voxbox® is meticulously hand-built and tested at Manley’s California facility, using premium components and hand-selected tubes throughout the signal path. Manley Power® switch-mode power supply technology ensures quiet operation and universal voltage compatibility, combining classic all-tube signal processing with modern, reliable power delivery for professional studio environments.
| Preamp Type | Tube |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Phantom Power | Yes |
| EQ | 3-band Semi-parametric |
| Compressor | Optical |
| Other Processing | De-Esser |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz–20kHz |
| Analog Inputs | 1 x XLR (Mic), 1 x XLR (Line), 1 x 1/4" (Line) |
| Analog Outputs | 1 x XLR (Preamp), 1 x 1/4" (Preamp), 1 x XLR (EQ), 1 x 1/4" (EQ) |
| Other I/O | 2 x RCA (De-Esser/Compressor Stereo Link), 1 x XLR (Insert Input), 1 x 1/4" (Insert Input) |
| Rack Spaces | 3U |
| Height | 5.25" |
| Width | 19" |
| Depth | 10" |
| Weight | 14 lbs. |
| Manufacturer Part Number | MVBX UPC: 890833000175 |
