Warm Audio WA-2MPX Dual Tube Microphone Pre-Amp

• Authentic tube preamp with the sound of the 50s and early 60s
• Full, warm and on-demand dense character
• Separate preamp gain and output level controls for controlled saturation
• Switchable analogue tape simulation for additional saturation and compression
• More than enough clean gain for all types of microphones, including classic ribbon types
• Switchable high and low pass filters
• Switchable input impedance @ 150/600Ohm (1500/6000Ohm nominal)
• Front DI input
• First-class components, hand-wired
• 12AX7 and 12AU7 premium tubes and custom-made, large-core transformers by Cinemag
• High-quality steel cabinet with aluminium frontplast and bakelite knobs
• Professional power supply with toroidal transformer

Classic tube design for modern recording studios.

The Warm Audio WA-2MPX incorporates the original and feature-rich circuitry of the Ampex 351 preamp design from the 1950s. The optimized high-performance topology of 3 selected amplifier tubes achieves an unprecedented 90dB of gain for a tube preamp - with virtually no noise. The amplifier allows for very natural sounding recordings due to the high-quality components and its fast impulse response, while being suitable for any type of signal that needs to be enhanced with its special, warm and full tube charm.

The Warm Audio WA-2MPX is a great choice for instruments rich in overtones, such as acoustic guitar and drums, or even room mics, where the presence response can be precisely adjusted in Mix by selective saturation. In post-production, the WA-2MPX, especially in the two-channel version, is also suitable for processing busses and entire sums, to which it can selectively add harmonics and compression. It can also be used as a subtle to aggressive distortion unit, so a whole range of studio equipment and effects are covered by the WA-2MPX. Not only ribbon microphones benefit immensely from the sound characteristics of the WA-2MPX!

Wide range of functions

In addition to its excellent sound quality, the WA-2MPX impresses with a whole range of additional functions. With the separate controls for preamplification and output level, the signal can be saturated and overdriven as desired. Starting at 2kHz, a shallow low-pass filter can be switched on to filter out sharp frequency components in case of heavy overdriving or to create a pleasant vintage effect, as known from old sound recordings from the era of rock'n'roll. The Tape Saturation function activates an analogue tape saturation simulation and provides an emphasis of odd harmonics and more compression. Finally, Warm Audio's switchable Tone circuit is also built into the WA-2MPX, providing a more powerful midrange boost and slightly dipping highs. When the Tone circuit is activated, the preamp's input impedance is lowered to 150 ohms and the input transformer's turns ratio is switched from 1:18 to 1:9. This setting is especially recommended for plunger coil and ribbon microphones.