Warm Audio
Warm Audio WA-44 Studio Ribbon Microphone - Vintage Tone
★★★★★
XLR
The Warm Audio WA-44 faithfully recreates the legendary RCA 44 ribbon sound with a custom Japanese ribbon and CineMag transformer.
$999.00*$1,199.00Save 16%
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Overview
Key Features
Timeless Ribbon Tone: Delivering the iconic tonal experience at the center of recording and broadcast history, the WA-44 faithfully recreates the warm and vintage tones of the legendary RCA 44 ribbon mic of the 1930s.
Rich Lows & Mids, No Harsh Highs: True to the vintage original, the WA-44 captures powerful bass & rich midrange with enhanced proximity effect. The WA-44 shows off its warm forgiving tone by taming top-end harshness for smooth lead tones on vocals, horns, drums, and more.
Sultry On Any Source: Like its inspiration, the WA-44 excels on loud audio sources and removes side-address noise with the tight figure-8 polar pattern. A great choice for vocal recordings that benefit from a reduction in high-end frequencies, the WA-44 is also ideal for capturing haunting horn sections, resonant acoustic instruments, sultry strings, flat drum sounds, deep piano tones, and much more.
Vintage Build, Premium Components: With a boutique-quality build design, the WA-44 is manufactured with exacting quality standards to match the most prized original RCA 44 vintage mics. The WA-44 pairs a true-to-length, custom-crafted Japanese ribbon with a heavy, true-to-size Neodymium magnet powered by a USA-Made CineMag transformer to deliver true-to-vintage tone with added durability. Weighing in at over six pounds and including a Star-Quad shielded Gotham XLR cable connector and embroidered case, all of these components come together to revive a classic mic with a premium, vintage build.
Hand-Tested In Austin, TX: Like all Warm Audio gear, every single WA-44 is meticulously hand-tested and inspected by trained technicians with a passion for making music in Austin, TX USA.
Specifications
Brand
Warm Audio
Model
WA-44
Type
Studio Ribbon Microphone
Polar Pattern
Figure-8
Ribbon Element
Custom Japanese Ribbon, 99.1% Pure Aluminum, 2.5 Microns, ~60mm Length
Transformer
USA-Made CineMag Output Transformer
Magnet
Neodymium
Connector
Star-Quad Shielded Gotham XLR
Dimensions
12.5 x 4.75 x 2.75 inches
Weight
6.2 lbs
Hand-Tested
Yes (Austin, TX USA)
Included Accessories
Embroidered Carrying Case
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Custom Japanese aluminum ribbon and CineMag transformer deliver rich, warm vintage tone with smooth high-frequency rolloff
- Figure-8 polar pattern provides excellent side rejection, useful for isolating sources in busy recording environments
- Premium build quality at a fraction of the cost of an original RCA 44 or comparable boutique ribbon microphones
- Every unit is hand-tested by technicians in Austin, TX, ensuring consistent quality control
- Includes an embroidered carrying case and Star-Quad shielded Gotham XLR connector for durability and shielding
👎 Cons
- At 6.2 pounds, the WA-44 is extremely heavy and requires a sturdy stand and boom arm to support safely
- Figure-8 polar pattern picks up sound from the rear, which can be problematic in untreated rooms with reflections
- Ribbon microphones are inherently fragile and can be damaged by strong air blasts, plosives, or accidental phantom power
- Low output level typical of passive ribbon designs means you need a high-gain, low-noise preamp to get a clean signal
Frequently Asked Questions
What microphone is the WA-44 modeled after?
The WA-44 is a recreation of the iconic RCA 44 ribbon microphone from the 1930s, which became one of the most celebrated microphones in recording and broadcast history.
What polar pattern does the WA-44 use?
The WA-44 has a figure-8 polar pattern, which picks up sound equally from the front and rear of the microphone while rejecting sound from the sides.
Does the WA-44 require phantom power?
Ribbon microphones generally should not receive phantom power, as it can damage the ribbon element. The WA-44 is a passive ribbon mic and does not need phantom power to operate, though you will want a preamp with sufficient gain for ribbon-level output.
What is the ribbon element made of?
The WA-44 uses a custom-crafted Japanese ribbon made of 99.1% pure aluminum, 2.5 microns thick and nearly 60mm in length, designed to match the tonal characteristics of the original RCA 44.
How much does the WA-44 weigh?
The WA-44 weighs 6.2 pounds, so you will need a robust mic stand and mount to support it securely.
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