Warm Audio WA-47 Tube Condenser Microphone

Warm Audio WA-47 Tube Condenser Microphone

The WA-47 was created to offer a classic microphone design to a new generation of recording artists at an affordable price. They spent a great deal of time listening to different vintage '47 microphones to determine what people liked about them and why, how various components impact the tone, and how to give the WA-47 microphone a signature that pays homage to the past but also stands out on its own.

The WA-47 is an all-vacuum tube, large diaphragm, transformer balanced, multi-pattern (9), large condenser microphone, based on the classic '47 that has been used on countless hit records for the last 50+ years. The WA-47 is designed for pro studio, home studio, live, and broadcast applications and excels on vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, acoustic/electric bass, drums, piano, strings, brass/woodwind instruments, and an array of other sources.

Creating a Classic Microphone for a New Generation

The classic '47 became extremely popular as a vocal microphone in the 1960's and is now considered to be one of the greatest condenser microphones ever created. The classic '47 is still widely used today in professional recording studios but has become extremely rare and cost-prohibitive to acquire.

Designing the WA-47 to sound like the classic '47 was no easy task, especially since some of the vintage components are no longer manufactured or available. Warm Audio compared and listened to 2 different vintage '47 mics and found that they both sounded amazing but also sounded a little different from each other. These comparison tests became the benchmark for tailoring tje WA-47's sonics to sit right in with these 2 vintage '47 mics.

Warm Audio is pleased to release such a gorgeous-sounding classic to the market at a price that's reachable to more people than ever before.

The Capsule

The WA-47 utilizes a custom reproduction of the vintage 47-style (K47) capsule that was used in the classic '47 microphone - designed with the same hole pattern and frequency response. The version of this capsule (model# WA-47-B-80v) is carefully manufactured by an Australian capsule supplier and is precisely reproduced to the vintage specs. They are pleased to offer a legitimate 47-style capsule re-incarnation because it allows us to nail the sonics of the most important piece of the classic '47 formula.

The Tube

The 5771 vacuum tube they used in the WA-47 is a low gain, low noise valve that forces much of the sonics of the capsule and transformer to be heard more significantly than tubes with higher gain might allow. The transformer and capsule in the vintage '47 mics are critical to their tone and behaviour, and Warm Audio found that the 5751 tube accentuates these two components. The frequency response of this tube and the way that it contributes to the circuit is smooth and vintage in nature. They found that the 5751 gave us the essence of the vintage 47' tube circuit without electronically mirroring the original VF14 steel tube that is no longer available.

The Transformer

The WA-47 utilizes an American made TAB-Funkenwerk (AMI) USA transformer with large core imported German laminations. This transformer helps provide the creamy smooth top end and the LARGER-THAN-LIFE bottom end one would expect from a 47-style microphone.

The Cable

One component of a tube microphone that is often overlooked is the 7-pin cable that connects the microphone to its power supply. When auditioning the WA-47 and other tube microphones, Warm Audio learned quite a bit about 7-pin cables and how the shielding and wire gauge size can change the sonics. They partnered with Gotham Audio in Switzerland to use their very carefully built high-end 7-pin "GAC-7 cable". Using this cable increases the top-end presence and the overall size of the recorded image in the stereo field by reducing phase shift and the parasitic effect often experienced in poorly built cables. Gotham Audio Cabling is very expensive and boutique in nature and shouldn't be considered a small addition to the WA-47 package.

The Capacitors

The WA-47 proudly uses a polystyrene coupling capacitor, wima film capacitors throughout, and an imported Solen French capacitor on its output.

Key Features:

Contents

• Your WA-47 package includes the WA-47 microphone, power supply, IEC power cable, shock mount, 7 pin Gotham Audio cable, and wood storage box.

Power Switch

• The power switch is located on the power supply.

IEC Power Inlet

• The IEC power inlet is located on the rear side of the power supply and allows for a standard IEC cable to connect the power supply to your wall power outlet.

11 Sv /230v Voltage Selector Switch

• A voltage selector switch is located near the IEC inlet on the power supply and allows for the user to set the appropriate voltage for the country they are located. Warm Audio advise being careful with this switch because plugging in the unit at the wrong voltage setting will likely damage the WA-47 and its power supply. Plugging in the WA-47 power supply at the incorrect voltage could even cause injury or death. Typically, the voltage selector switch will be pre-set to the proper voltage of the country where the product was purchased and should not be changed.

Polar Pattern Select Switch

• The polar-pattern selection switch is located on the power supply and provides 9 different pattern options. Patterns ore: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-of-eight and 6 additional "in-between" patterns.

7 pin microphone cable connector (female)

• A 7-pin female microphone cable connector is located on the power supply. The 7-pin Gotham branded cable included in the WA-47 box is connected to this connector on one end and to the WA-47 microphone on the other.

XLR Output

• A standard 3-pin XLR male connector is located on the power supply. The microphone's signal will exit this connector. Connect this connector to a preamp via a standard 3-pin XLR microphone cable.