The Backbone from Manley Labs is designed to be the nerve center of a professional mastering setup. Featuring a comprehensive set of controls unique to a mastering engineer's process, the Backbone allows for up to eight processors to be connected via two ELCO connectors. The unit offers a single stage topology with excellent common mode rejection and power supply noise rejection. The Backbone maintains a balanced signal path throughout and features professional grade components, including stepped Greyhill switches, a Penny and Giles mix fader, and over 90 silent relays.
The send signal from the inserts is buffered for each processor, which prevents any lag when engaging an insert switch. Once pressed the circuit connects the return, thereby allowing the processor to become active in the signal chain. There are a number of special functions available for the inserts, including switches for sum/dif between inserts 2 and 3, swapping inserts 4 and 5, and enabling the mix fader between inserts 7 and 8. Insert 8 is placed after the mix fader and output controls and is typically reserved for the last limiting stage. Additional switched functions include left/right reverse, active/passive gain, and left/right polarity reversal. The sum/dif dial allows for stereo enhancement and widening, while mix fader enables a manual "hands-on" control of levels.
There are 3 sets of stereo inputs available to connect playback devices, with 2 sets of outputs for driving your monitors and master recorder. The stereo controls for input and output gain are stepped for precision and rapid recall. Hand-made in the USA, the unit is housed in a 2U steel chassis with a CNC machined 1/4" faceplate that is also inlaid with laser engraved inserts. The Backbone ships with an IEC power cable.
*ELCO cables are not included and must be custom made or ordered. The manufacturer recommends Part # MANLEY-Insert-A-4 (4 ft) and Part # MANLEY-Insert-B-4 (4 ft) or Part # MANLEY-Insert-A-10 (10 ft) and Part # MANLEY-Insert-B-10 (10 ft), which are available from Rapcohorizon.
- Balanced signal path throughout
- 3 x balanced stereo inputs
- 8 x balanced stereo inserts
- Selected input can be mixed to parallel outputs
- Patchable send and return inserts
- Separate sum and difference outputs available on rear panel
- I/O inserts connection system can be ordered with 2 x ELCO connections
- Absolute polarity reverse switch
- Bypass Gains: Switches between active and passive gain
- Left/Right reverse switch
- Sum/Difference (MS Matrix) can be used for inserts 2 & 3
- Swap order button can be used to reverse the order for inserts 4 & 5
- Mix/Fade injection between 7 & 8 with mode select
- Input and output gain controls use 4 x 24 position Grayhill switch attenuators
- Penny & Giles rotary fader/mixer
- 90+ relays employed throughout
- EAO switch buttons can be custom labeled