Warm Audio WA-84 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
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Warm Audio WA-84 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone |
Warm Audio's small diaphragm cardioid condenser WA-84 microphone starts with a capsule made by an Australian company. The capsule is precisely made to the original specs of the capsule used in the vintage German microphone. The capsule feeds a discrete Class-A FET amplifier circuit that uses premium-grade capacitors and a large nickel core CineMag output transformer. A noteworthy feature and part of the original's sound, output transformers have all but disappeared in most newer small diaphragm condenser mics.
I immediately tried the WA-84 on an acoustic guitar recording; a very popular application I used the vintage 84 often back in the day. My guitarist plays a Taylor model 655-C 12-string guitar and I had the mic about 6-inches out over the 12th fret aimed back towards the sound hole and bridge. This sounded good, clear, present and full and bright enough however I picked up a little too much fret noise and squeaks for that particular song's numerous chord changes. I then tried moving the mic about five inches over the lower bout, behind the bridge and aimed back at it. This produced a slightly brighter sound with a full-tone and a little less of the fret squeaks.
I used about 50dB of gain from my Sunset Sound S1P microphone pre-amp and no other processing for a rhythm guitar part into Pro Tools HDX at 96kHz.
Warm Audio WA-84 Kit |
Next I tried the WA-84 as a single overhead about three-feet above the rack toms over the center of the kit. With careful re-positioning I was able to "play down" the loud cymbals and focus the mic's cardioid pattern on the snare. I could hear the entire of the kit well but you would need two WA-84s for complete and proper coverage of drum kits.
The Warm Audio WA-84 comes in either matte black or nickel finishes and in matched pairs. A single WA-84 sells for $399 while a stereo pair sells for $749 MSRP. Either kit comes in a nice, foam-line carrying case with all the accessories. The Warm Audio WA-84 is a great way to add a small diaphragm condenser workhorse microphone to your collection at a great price!
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