Warm Audio WA-251 Tube Condenser Microphone

The WA-251 was created to offer a classic microphone design to a new generation of recording artists at an affordable price. We spent a great deal of time listening to different 251 microphones to determine what people liked about them and why, how various styles of components impact the tone, and how to give the WA-251 microphone a signature that pays homage to the vintage classic, but also stands out on its own.

The WA-251 is an all vacuum tube, large diaphragm, transformer balanced, multi-pattern, large condenser microphone, based on the classic 251 that has been used on countless hit records for the last 50+ years.  The WA-251 is designed for pro studio, home studio, live, and broadcast applications and sounds great on vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, acoustic/electric bass, drums, piano, strings, brass/woodwind instruments, and an array of other sources.

The classic 251 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 251 is still widely used today in professional recording studios but has become extremely rare and cost prohibitive to acquire.

Designing our WA-251 to sound like the classic 251 was no easy task, especially since some of the vintage components are no longer manufactured or available.  We are pleased to release such a gorgeous sounding classic to the market at a price that’s reachable to more people than ever before.

Features:

• Faithful replica of the classic 251-style large-diaphragm condenser mic
• Custom all-brass CK-12-style capsule
• Custom CineMag USA transformer
• JJ Slovak 12AY7 vacuum tube
• Gotham 5-meter GAC-7 7-pin tube microphone cable
• WIMA, Solen French, and polystyrene capacitors
• 3 polar patterns: cardioid, omni, figure-8
• Dynamic range: 125dBA
• Maximum SPL: 132dB (<0.5% THD)
• Frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz
• Output impedance: 200 ohms
• Rated load impedance: ≥2k ohms
• S/N ratio: 80dBA
• Equivalent noise: 12dBA (IEC651)
• External IEC grounded PSU
• Includes 7-pin cable, wood box, power supply, and shockmount