Universal Audio Manley VOXBOX Channel Strip Audio Plug-In

Universal Audio UADX-MANLEY-VOXBOX Overview

Designed to emulate the legendary vocal-elevating channel strip that s been the vocal choice for Beck, Rick Rubin, U2, and more, the Manley VOXBOX Channel Strip Plug-In from Universal Audio brings out the best in the human voice, the most expressive instrument. With a rich tube-driven Class-A preamp, passive Pultec-style EQ, an optical compressor, and a versatile de-esser and limiter for taming sibilance and harshness, this plug-in not only does wonders on sung and spoken vocals, it can also be used to sculpt the perfect tone for acoustic guitars, basses, and more.

With groundbreaking Unison technology, UA was able to capture every detail from the original hardware, including the impedance, gain staging, circuit behaviors, inductors, and hand-wound bypassapable transformer, utilizing bidirectional control and communication. Your options for tweaking signals is vast, with 33 selectable frequencies on the EQ and 25 attack and release combinations on the compressor. While this plug-in is ideal for use with Universal Audio Apollo interfaces, it is also compatible with any other audio interface. This plug-in is available for Windows and macOS.

Under the Hood

Introduced in 1997, the Manley VOXBOX combines the best of Manley s audio designs, including their high-fidelity tube mic preamp, vactrol optical compressor, Pultec-style passive EQ, and de-esser / limiter into a formidable 3 RU package. Featuring Manley s legendary boutique build quality, including in-house wound transformers, the VOXBOX stands alone as a premium tube-driven toolbox for outstanding vocal tracks.

Track Vocals Through a Coveted Mic Preamp

Chock full of Class-A vacuum tube tone, the Manley VOXBOX Channel Strip plug-in expertly emulates the hardware s rich, feedback-style mic preamp. Harnessing UA s groundbreaking Unison technology, the VOXBOX plug-in perfectly captures the impedance, gain staging, and the circuit behaviors that have made the hardware famous.

Compress Sources Before the Preamp

Just like the hardware, the Manley VOXBOX plug-in lets you tame transients before the preamp with its flexible optical compressor. This innovative topology, as well as the compressor s 25 interactive attack and release combinations, assure exceptionally clean and smooth-sounding tracks.

Unmatched Passive EQ Sculpting

The Manley VOXBOX Channel Strip plug-in s three-band, passive EQ is based on the classic Pultec MEQ-5. With two peak bands, one dip band, and greatly expanded overlapping frequency selections, this broad-stroke EQ keeps the top end sweet, and the lows defined, yet natural sounding even with extreme boosts and cuts.

Ultratransparent De-Essing and More

At the center of the Manley VOXBOX is its sublime natural-sounding de-esser. With two knobs, you re afforded complete control of not only vocals, but shrill electric guitars, and overly bright overheads. You can also turn off the de-esser frequency control and use this section as an aggressive and colorful limiter.

Not Just for Vocals

For years, the Manley VOXBOX has been a secret weapon for bassists looking to harness its high-end tube signal path and slick EQ and compression appointments. Engineers have also called on the Manley VOXBOX for clean electric guitars, strings, and drums as it s always-musical results can elevate any source way beyond the ordinary.

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