WARM AUDIO - WA-44 STUDIO RIBBON MICROPHONE
$1,579.00 CAD
Product Details
Faithful Recreation Of The Most Iconic Studio Ribbon Mic Of All Time
The Original Lead Vocal Mic
The WA-44 faithfully recreates the most iconic studio ribbon microphone of all time. Just like the legendary RCA 44BX ribbons of the 1930s loved by crooners, band leaders, drummers, upright bassists, producers and more, the WA-44 delivers powerful bass with a pronounced proximity effect, lush mids, and a tamed top end. The WA-44 excels on loud audio source and delivers the iconic warm, vintage, & sultry tones, which is what made the original the mic of choice for some of the most legendary vocalists including Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, Jeff Tweedy, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash and many more.
Vintage-Correct Ribbon & Custom Transformer
With a boutique-quality build and design, the WA-44 is manufactured with exacting quality standards to match the most prized original 1930s-era RCA 44BX vintage mics. The WA-44 ribbon is 99.1% aluminum, true-to-length, 2.5 microns-thick, and custom-crafted in Japan. Paired with the ribbon is a heavy, true-to-size Neodymium magnet designed to create a strong magnetic field capable of delivering nuances and detail in the midrange. The ribbon and magnet are powered by a USA-made CineMag transformer built to reproduce true-to-vintage tone with added modern reliability. Weighing in at over six pounds, the WA-44 revives this classic design with a premium build of intricate and rugged metal work that is ready for everyday studio use and abuse.
Key Features
Like the original RCA 44-BX ribbon mic, the WA-44 includes all the features that deliver a complete and professional recording experience.
The ribbon and magnet in the WA-44 combine to deliver the delicate detail of a ribbon with plenty of bass and rich midrange with highs that never get harsh.
A custom CineMag transformer delivers all of the body and depth of the ribbon, allowing the tone to shine through as it hits the preamplifier.
The WA-44 operates in figure-8 mode. The figure-8 polar pattern captures audio from directly in front of and behind the mic. This is great for off-axis rejection on the side, and tasteful capture of room reflections with strategic mic placement.
Premium Components - Elite Build Quality - Superior Sound
Custom-Crafted Japanese Ribbon
The WA-44 houses a 99.1% pure aluminum ribbon, custom-made in Japan, reminiscent of vintage RCA 44 mics. Its true-to-length, nearly 60mm length and 2.5-microns thick size distinguishes it, enriching its sound compared to smaller ribbon designs. Ribbon purity is paramount for detail and frequency response; even slight impurities can dampen output and clarity, elevating the noise floor. The WA-44 is encased in an ultra-durable steel body with an intricate headbasket metalwork providing ample space around the ribbon.
Large-Core USA-Made CineMag Transformer
The WA-44 utilizes a custom, American-Made CineMag output transformer. The transformer inside the WA-44 delivers the rich depth and character of the ribbon - including the lush mids and smooth highs. The CineMag inside the WA-44 also helps the mic pair well with modern preamplifiers and studio equipment, even providing some protection against accidental use of 48v phantom power.
Robust Neodymium Magnet
The ribbon inside the WA-44 is suspended between the poles of a premium, heavy Neodymium magnet. While the vintage original RCA 44 ribbon mics used AlNiCo magnets, Neodymium magnets are significantly stronger than AlNiCo magnets, and have become the new standard in premium ribbon microphone manufacturing. This allows for a more efficient conversion of sound energy to electrical signal in the ribbon microphone. Neodymium is also much less susceptible to degradation and will last much longer in regular use.
Premium Cable From Gotham Switzerland
Often overlooked, the cable connecting a microphone to its preamp is quite a critical element of the signal chain. The WA-44 uses a Star-Quad shielded “pigtail style” XLR cable from Gotham, Switzerland. The design and build quality of this cable increases top end presence and the overall size of the recorded image in the stereo field by reducing phase shift and the parasitic effect often found in poorly built cables.