Dirk Ulrich came to fame in Leverkusen, Germany as a music and media producer, running his own company Brainworx (founded 2000). In 2016 he moved to USA with his family and continued his work in developing software plugins for mastering engineers for another company of his, Plugin Alliance (founded 2011).
In 2022 Dirk Ulrich sold his music software development companies to Native Instruments, a major German pro music hardware and software firm, served for a short time there as Advisory board member, but left in 2024.
In July 2025 this pro music visionary and entrepreneur was approached by a long time friend and studio gear supplier EveAnne Manley and the decision to acquire Manley Labs was made.
Official press-release Manley Labs
Manley Laboratories Inc., the California-based manufacturer of world-renowned analog tube audio gear, is proud to announce its acquisition by audio entrepreneur and industry veteran Dirk Ulrich.
The all-cash transaction includes all operating assets of the company. Co-founder and longtime president EveAnna Manley is stepping aside from her active duties effective immediately, but will support a smooth transition for customers, employees and partners.
Dirk Ulrich brings decades of experience at the intersection of analog engineering and digital innovation. As the founder of Brainworx (Germany) and Plugin Alliance (USA) — and a significant shareholder in the Native Instruments Group (which now includes Brainworx, Plugin Alliance, and iZotope) — he has helped shape the modern professional audio landscape over the last two decades.
This acquisition marks Dirk’s return to actually running a pro audio company, and signals a deep commitment to preserving Manley’s legacy while supporting long-term growth and new product development.
“Manley has always stood for integrity, tube-driven sonic character, and dedication to reliability,” said EveAnna Manley. “After decades of building this brand with an amazing team, I’m grateful to see it seize its future with someone who truly respects the soul of Manley and has a proven track record of growing audio companies. Dirk’s technology expertise will carry this company into its Manley 3.0 destiny.”
Manley Labs will continue designing and manufacturing its acclaimed hardware with the same trusted teams, with no disruption to ongoing operations.
Key partnerships — including the successful, exclusive collaboration with Universal Audio on UAD plugins — remain in place.
Fans and professionals alike can expect the continued production of flagship analog gear such as the VOXBOX®, Tube Reference Microphones, Massive Passive EQ, and Variable Mu® Compressor, along with new analog and digital products currently in development.
“Manley gear is part of the foundation of so many top studios around the world, and the reputation EveAnna and her team have built over decades is truly remarkable. I was a fan and user long before this acquisition,” said Dirk Ulrich. “We intend to protect the Manley heritage while evolving with the needs of the next generation of music creators and audio professionals.”
Manley Labs as a Hi-Fi manufacturer
While well known in professional music business for vacuum tube (valve) condenser microphone power supplies, equalisers, compressor/limiters and other outboard recording and mastering studio eqiupment, Manley Labs was historically connected to David Manley’s VTL company which made domestic hi-fi tube amplifiers. When the family business was split between Luke Manley (VTL) and his stepmother EveAnne (Manley Labs), Manley labs continued production of home tube audio at their factory in California.
While the hi-fi part of Manley Labs’ business not exactly belongs inside the scope of Dirk Ulrich previous business ventures we never know what this new ownership can bring to the world of hi-fi. Let’s wait and see.
