An inspired recreation of an iconic tube microphone

Its acclaimed compressors, preamps and vintage-inspired microphones have upset the price/performance ratio of professional audio; so when Warm Audio turned its attention to the granddaddy of the large-diaphragm tube condenser microphones, you knew it had to be good. And that is. With its discreet, transformer-balanced vacuum tube circuitry and custom reproduction capsule, the WA-47 nails the huge, bold sound of the beloved and revered '47 - a sound heard on countless iconic recordings.

Flash back to any top recording studio in the 1960's. You'll see the venerable '47 everywhere. It was Sinatra's vocal mic of choice and one of George Martin's favorite session mics for the Beatles, and now ranks high in the pantheon of the greatest mics ever made. It's this classic circuit design - dating back more than half a century - that Warm Audio closely followed for the WA-47. But this is not a mere clone and innovations abound. Nine available polar patterns and robust 140dB SPL handling translate to incredible versatility; there's literally no source the WA-47 can't refine with its inimitable seductive sounds.

Nine polar patterns, incredible flexibility

The WA-47's nine polar patterns — cardioid, omni, and figure-8; plus six intermediate patterns - offer incredible flexibility when it comes to exploring different engraving techniques. Cardioid, with its moderate side and near-total rear rejection, is useful for just about any studio task. Omni is great for capturing the ambience of the room along with its source. Use a figure-8 technique to bend a sax with natural slap or record two singers into one mic (just be sure of balance).

With two WA-47s, you can implement stereo techniques such as spaced pair (A/B), XY (including Blumlein), ORTF matrix, and middle side (MS). And don't forget these six intermediate pickup patterns, which open up another world of possibilities!

A '47 for the rest of us

What can you achieve with the WA-47? Every studio needs at least one pair of high-quality large-diaphragm condenser microphones, and the Warm Audio WA-47 is designed after a legendary one. You can use the WA-47 on anything - with world-class results. It's simply stunning on vocals, acoustic guitars, double bass, electric guitar and bass booths, piano, drums and percussion, strings, brass, woodwinds and any other source you want to use. In fact, you could mike an entire symphony orchestra with nothing more than three WA-47s carefully positioned in omni.

Considering its incredible price, it would be wise to at least double its value and get two to record tracks in stereo. You haven't lived until you've heard a grand piano come to life when miked with a pair of '47s. For drum mics, use two WA-47s and destroy the stereo signal with a fast compressor. Positively explosive!

Quality components make the difference

How does Warm Audio do this? They order parts and assemble in quantity, which keeps costs down and provides incredible value, but no save on parts. The WA-47 is built with premium all-discrete components such as a JJ Slovak 5751 vacuum tube, Wima and Solen French capacitors, a TAB-Funkenwerk USA output transformer, and a custom reproduction of the capsule used in the vintage '47, designed with the same bore configuration and frequency response.

Much of the sound of any microphone comes from its capsule. The complexity of the K47 capsule used in the WA-47 requires a meticulous manufacturing process; this high quality is not normally found in affordable condenser microphones. For Warm Audio, premium parts and meticulous design deliver a superior sounding microphone - one that doesn't cost a fortune. Stellar performance, top-notch parts and incredible value: that's the Warm Audio formula - and the WA-47 nailed it.

Characteristics

• Style 47 Custom Capsule – WA-47-B-80v;
• Output Transformer TAB-Funkenwerk (AMI) USA;
• Electronic valve JJ Slovak 5751;
• Gotham GAC-7 7-pin, 10-foot tube microphone cable;
• Wima, Solen French and Polystyrene capacitors;
• Polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, figure eight + 6 mixed patterns;
• Own noise: 11dBA;
• Dynamic range: 130dBA;
• Maximum sound pressure level: 140dB (<0.5% THD);
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz;
• Output impedance: 200 ohms;
• Rated load impedance: > 2 kOhms;
• Signal/noise ratio: 82dBA;
• Equivalent noise: 10dBA (IEC651);
• Grounded external PSU, IEC certified;
• Total weight (microphone, PSU, impact mount and cables): 4.08kg;
• Microphone diameter: 60mm;
• Microphone Length: 254mm.