WARM AUDIO WA-251 Tube Condenser Microphone User Manual
- June 6, 2024
- WARM AUDIO
Table of Contents
WA-25 1
TUBE CONDENSER MICROPHONE
THANK
YOU!
Thank you for purchasing the Warm Audio WA-251 condenser microphone. We feel
this product offers the best in terms of sound, function, and vibe from the
classic era of analog recording. We don’t cut corners when it comes to what
goes into our products, and the WA-251 is no exception. 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. We at Warm Audio are very
excited to bring this classic recreation to you at such an affordable price.
We are confident you will enjoy creating a lifetime of beautiful recordings
with the WA-251.
Bryce Young
President
Warm Audio
Liberty Hill, Texas USA
REGISTER YOUR WA-251!
Before we begin, please take the time to visit
www.warmaudio.com to register your product. To
ensure you receive proper and uninterrupted warranty support for your product,
please register your unit within 14
days from purchase.
WARRANTY STATEMENT
Warm Audio warranties this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase, for the original purchaser to whom this equipment is registered. This warranty is non-transferrable. This warranty is void in the event of damage incurred from unauthorized service to this unit, or from electrical or mechanical modification to this unit.
This warranty does not cover damage resulting from abuse, accidental damage, misuse, improper electrical conditions such as mis-wiring, incorrect voltage or frequency, unstable power, disconnection from earth ground (for products requiring a 3 pin, grounded power cable), or from exposure to hostile environmental conditions such as moisture, humidity, smoke, fire, sand or other debris, and extreme temperatures. Warm Audio will, at its sole discretion, repair or replace this product in a timely manner. This limited warranty extends only to products determined to be defective and does not cover incidental costs such as equipment rental, loss of revenue, etc. Please visit us at www.warmaudio.com for more information on your warranty, or to request warranty service. This warranty applies to products sold in the United States of America. For warranty information in any other country, please refer to your local Warm Audio distributor. This warranty provides specific legal rights, which may vary from state to state. Depending on the state in which you live, you may have rights in addition to those covered in this statement. Please refer to your state laws or see your local Warm Audio retailer for more information.
NON-WARRANTY SERVICE
If you have a defective unit that is outside of our warranty period or
conditions; we are still here for you and can get your unit working again for
a modest service fee. Please visit us at
www.warmaudio.com to contact us about setting up a
repair or for more information.
With the proper care, your Warm Audio gear should last a lifetime and provide a lifetime of enjoyment. We believe the best advertisement we can have is a properly working unit being put to great use. Let’s work together to make it happen.
NOW LET’S GET STARTED!
INTRODUCTION
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 condens er 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 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 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.
A LOOK INSIDE THE WA-25 1
All Brass Capsule
The WA-12-B-60V is an all-brass, edge-terminated capsule that captures all the
smoothness, rich top end, and warm vintage sonics of the original CKl 2
capsule. The WA-12-B-60V uses a variant CEK-12 backplate as a basis, which
overcomes the manufacturing limitations of the original CKl 2 capsule. Theo-
ring and housing of the WA-12-B-60V are all made from brass (no Teflon parts),
and the diaphragm is 24k gold sputtered 6 microns, NOS PET film (mylar). The
end result is a very consistent, reliable capsule that matches the frequency
response and tonality of the classic 1970’s classic capsule.
The Tube
A Slovak Republic JJ 12AY7 vacuum tube is used in the WA-251. We auditioned 3
tube brands and fell in love with the JJ 12AY7. The frequency response of the
JJ tube and the way it contrib utes to the circuit is tonally smooth and
vintage in nature.
The Transformer
The WA-251 utilizes an American-made CineMag USA transformer. This transformer
helps provide the present top end and the LARGE bottom end one would hope to
get from a 251-style condenser microphone.
The Cable
One component of a tube microphone that is often overlooked is the 7 pin cable
that connects the microphone to its power supply. When auditioning the WA-251
and other tube microphones we learned quite a bit about 7 pin cables and how
the shielding and wire gauge size can drastically change the sonics of a tube
microphone. We have partnered with Gotham Audio in Switzerland to use their
very carefully built high-end 7 pins “GAC-7 cable”. Using this cable increases
the top-end presence and the overall size of the recorded image in the stereo
field by reducing phase shift and the parasitic effect often experienced in
poorly built cables. Gotham Cabling is very expensive and boutique in nature
and shouldn’t be considered a small addition to the WA-251 package.
The Capacitors
The WA-251 proudly uses polystyrene coupling capacitors, wima film capacitors
throughout, and an imported Solen French capacitor on its output.
FEATURES
-
Contents
Your WA-251 package includes; the WA-251 microphone, power supply, IEC power cable, shock mount, 7 pins Gotham coble, and wood storage box. -
Power Switch
The power switch is located on the power supply. -
IEC Power Inlet
The IEC power inlet is located on the rear side of the power supply and allows for a standard IEC cable
to connect the power supply to your wall power outlet. -
115v/230v Voltage Selector Switch
A voltage selector switch is located near the IEC inlet on the power supply and allows for the user to set the appropriate voltage for the country they are located in. We advise being careful with this switch because plugging in the unit at the wrong voltage setting will likely damage the WA-251 and its power supply. Plugging in the WA-251 power supply at the incorrect voltage could even cause injury or death. Typically the voltage selector switch will be pre-set to the proper voltage for the country where the product was purchased and should not be changed. -
Polar Pattern Select Switch
The polar-pattern selection switch is located on the power supply and provides 3 pattern options. Pat terns ore: Cardioid, Omni, and Figure-of-eight. -
7 pin microphone cable connector (female)
A 7 pin female microphone cable connector is located on the power supply. The 7 pins Gotham brand
ed coble included in the WA-251 box is connected to this connector on one end and to the WA-251 microphone on the other. -
XLR Output
A standard 3 pin XLR male connector is located on the power supply. The microphone’s signal will exit this connector. Connect this connector to a preamp via a standard 3 pin XLR microphone coble. -
7 pin microphone cable connector (male)
A 7 pin mole microphone cable connector is located at the base of the WA-251 microphone. This connection motes the WA-251 microphone to its power supply.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Custom WA-12-B-60V edge terminated, dual-backplate, all-brass vintage CKl 2-style capsule
- CineMag USA output transformer
- JJ Slovak 12AY7 vacuum tube
- Gotham 5 meter GAC7, 7-pin tube microphone cable
- Wima, Solen French, and Polystyrene capacitors
- Polar Patterns: 3 patterns – Cardioid, Omni, figure-of-eight
- Dynamic range: 125dBA
- Maximum SPL: 132dB (<0.5% THD)
- Frequency Range: 20 Hz~20 kHz
- Output Impedance: 200 ohms
- Rated Load Impedance: >2kOhms
- S/N Ratio: 80dBA
- Equivalent Noise: 12dBA (IEC651)
- External IEC grounded PSU
- Total Weight (Mic, PSU, shock mount, cables) – 12 lbs
- Mic Dimensions: 247mm x 46mm
ILLUSTRATIONS
In this diagram, two
WA-251’s are used in a spaced pair configuration to record stereo drum
overheads.
In this diagram, two WA-251’s are used in a coincident pair, also known as XY configuration, to record stereo drum overheads.
ILLUSTRATIONS
In this image, a vocalist performs
into the WA-251 at a distance of 12″, in a cardioid pattern.
In this image, two vocalists perform at the same time on either side of the WA-251 using a figure-of-eight pattern.
02019 Warm Audio TM LLC.
Liberty Hill, Texas USA I www.warmaudio.com
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