The Warm Audio WA-47 Tube Condenser Microphone is an all-vacuum tube, large diaphragm condenser microphone featuring nine polar patterns and a 20Hz-20kHz frequency range. The WA-47 is designed for pro studio, home studio, live and broadcast applications for a range of instruments as well as vocals. The WA-47 utilises a custom reproduction of the vintage k47 style capsule that was used in the classic ‘47 microphone designed with the same hole pattern and frequency response.
A JJ 5751 vacuum tube is a lower gain, low-noise tube that forces much of the sonics of the capsule and transformer to be heard more significantly than some higher gain tubes might allow. The frequency response of the JJ 5751 and the way it contributes to the circuit is tonally smooth and vintage in nature. The WA-47 contains a TAB-Funkenwerk (AMI) USA transformer with large core imported German laminations. This transformer helps provide the creamy smooth top end, and the bottom end one would expect from a '47 style condenser microphone.
The main features of the Warm Audio WA-47 Tube Condenser Microphone include:
First experience out of the box was not good. Firstly the correct mains cable for the UK was not supplied, very strange, lucky I have plenty of spares. That leads to the next problem. The mains voltage on the transformer box was set to 115V and not 230V, I didn't notice the switch, plugged it in and pop! There goes the panel fuse. After a while I noticed a spare is supplied in the holder. Replaced it and all was well.
Then went to put it on a stand. The shock-mount is terrible. I'd read about this in reviews, and really it is that poor. The clips simply aren't made out of a heavy enough gauge to lock the mic against the rubber gaskets, they just spring straight out again, very scary with a heavy tube mic. With a bit of thought and ingenuity, I fabricated a workaround with cable ties to hold the clips in place.
So finally got to use it, just with vocals so far. The sound is great. I have a Neumann U87 and a Shure SM7B, this holds its own against both (particularly the triple-the-price U87), each sounds different, and this really does have a proper warm quality to it straight into the DAW. I imagine it will be great for other instruments too, looking forward to trying it on sax for example.
So to conclude, the great sound makes up for the shocking mount. C'mon WA, why let this mic down with such a shabby holder?