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WA-251 is a large diaphragm tube condenser microphone recreating one of the most sought-after Austrian tube condensers, with a NOS tube and a CineMag transformer. Where the 47-style microphone is dark and thick, this one is open and airy on top, which is why studios keep both.
The bright one, for when the 47 is too thick.
Sound Like a Legend The WA-251 was created to offer a classic microphone design to a new generation of recording artists at an affordable price. Warm 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. Design The classic '251 became extremely popular as a vocal microphone in the 1960s 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 the WA-251 to sound like the classic '251 was no easy task, especially since some of the vintage components are no longer manufacturered 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. Includes: External power supply, shock mount, wood box, 7-pin cable
At a Glance
| Brand | Warm Audio |
|---|---|
| Model | WA-251 |
| Product type | Microphone |
| Series | Faithful Recreation of a Legend |
| Warranty | Warm Audio limited warranty |
How Is the WA-251 Different From the WA-47?
They are different classic microphones. The 47 style is darker, thicker and weightier in the low mids. The 251 style is more open and extended on top with more air. Neither is better, and most studios that can have both do.
Which One Suits My Voice?
Broadly, a 251-style microphone flatters darker or thicker voices by adding top-end detail, and a 47-style flatters bright or thin voices by adding body. The only reliable test is trying both on the actual singer.
Does It Need Phantom Power?
No. Tube microphones run from their own external power supply, which ships with the microphone. Never send phantom power to it.
Why Warm Audio
Warm Audio builds recreations of the classic studio hardware most engineers will never get to own, at a fraction of what the originals cost. The company sources premium components, CineMag and custom transformers, Fairchild-grade capacitors, NOS tubes where the design calls for them, and puts them into circuits copied closely from the originals rather than approximated. It has grown from microphones and preamps into compressors, EQs, direct boxes, guitar pedals and cable.