Customer Feature: Micah Johnson
Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
My background is pretty unique, I started at Criteria/The HitFactory Miami back in 2002 working with the worlds greatest musicians, engineers and artists. Moved to LA and worked at Capitol Studios for awhile, then a feature film stage for a while and ended up at Atlantis Group/Eargasm Studios for around 8 years doing everything from music projects (major label), film, commercials, sound design and voiceover projects. I currently work in the advertising world mixing and sound design for commercials (Subaru, Best Buy, Target) and co-own a studio with my wife and Carl White, called SisterBoss in Minneapolis.
Galaxy 80 is my side retro/lo-fi music project. Its been a great outlet for my passion of Synthesizers and Electronic Music. I'm a father of 4 and I also mix/manage my smaller company Audio Artists where I mix records for Indy artists across the world.
How did you first hear about the Manley Nu Mu?
I love this question because I remember clearly, somewhere around 2014/2015 I was on the hunt for a used Manley Variable Mu. It was always a tool I wanted to add to my hybrid recording studio. I was obsessed with finding one...I was contacting several owners who were selling one trying to find the right one that would fit in my budget. I never found "The Right One" so a little time went by and Manley announced the Nu Mu – it might have been a Sweetwater email. I knew after reading about it, I had to have it.
How does it help you do what you, and what’s your favorite thing about it?
Well, for me I use it on all my mixes on the 2-bus. It adds the glue to the whole mix; it's the last thing in my chain (Dangerous 2bus ext, Fusion, NgBusComp, Stereo Pultecs, Nu Mu into my Convert AD+). It adds a hi-fi sheen; maybe a better way to describe that is that it really opens up the top end and pushes the mix to be more in your face, in a non aggressive and subtle / transparent way. I also use it on stereo music tracks or even sometimes stems that are sent to me from clients for TV commercials. It can add this transparent compression that takes a more average music mix and makes it more "exciting" in a very subtle way that the client really "feels" when sending off mixes for feedback. It'll take a music mix from "boring" to more "exciting".
Do you use the HIP function often? If so, how would you describe what it does to the sound?
Oh the "HIP" function, how I love thee! In my opinion, it really just helps me mix more dynamically since it only deals with compressing lower levels. Its similar to parallel compression. The sound is fantastic! I usually just leave it on!
Have you ever owned / used the original Manley Variable Mu? If so, how would you describe the differences (if any) versus the Nu Mu?
I’ve only used in other studio and of course I own the UAD plugin. I love the gloss it adds to the overall mix using mostly the output knob and very very light compression. It’s amazing and really hard to duplicate; however, I feel like the Nu Mu gives you that same “gloss” but is much more versatile and can be more aggressive if you want it to.