The Warm Audio WA-19 dynamic studio microphone aims to resurrect one of the most iconic mics of the 1960s. It features a 30Hz–18kHz frequency response, 145dB max SPL, and superb off-axis rejection from its cardioid polar pattern. A built-in highpass filter is a very welcome addition: it can cut down to -10dB at 50Hz, making the WA-19 ideal for drum overheads, toms, vocals, snare bottom, guitar cabs, and more. The ventilated slots on the body of the WA-19 also reduce proximity effect, making it a great choice for acoustic guitar as well as guitar cabinets. Finally, the WA-19’s thin body shape facilitates easy placement, and while it may be thin, it’s built to last.
The WA-19 is an exemplary clone of a classic mic known as “the Ringo mic” for its association with a certain drummer from Liverpool, though many other artists of the era certainly used it. Those aforementioned four lads often applied “the Ringo mic” as drum overheads. The Warm Audio WA-19 certainly shines in that application, but engineers have also found the WA-19 to be beautiful when used on acoustic guitar: its ventilated body slots cut down on proximity effect, allowing you to place it close without excessive boominess. Plus, the 50Hz highpass filter gives you an even clearer sound.
The pencil-thin body of the WA-19 makes placement easy in a wide variety of studio and stage environments. No matter where you position it, the WA-19’s excellent off-axis rejection, broad 30Hz–18kHz frequency response, and high max SPL of 145dB ensure a natural, focused sound across a huge range of sources.
The WA-19 faithfully recreates one of the most favored studio and live dynamic mics of the 1960s. Like the original adored by live and studio engineers, the WA-19 delivers a unique combination of dynamic mic functionality and studio-worthy condenser tones. With the critical noise rejection and reduced proximity effect of a dynamic, the WA-19 captures vibrant top-end for enhanced detail, surpassing many studio dynamic microphones. This sound has been leveraged by artists like The Beatles, Tame Impala, Slayer (Kerry King), and many more.
To deliver the sound profile of the lauded original, the WA-19 features a custom, hand-assembled dynamic cardioid humbucking capsule that blends the critical noise rejection of a dynamic microphone with the top-end clarity of a condenser. The WA-19 includes a variable acoustic high-pass filter ring that cuts up to 10dB at 50Hz, ideal for tightening up the tone and adding upper-midrange emphasis without any electronic phase shift often incurred from preamp high-pass filters. Additionally, ventilated slots on the side of the WA-19 body reduce proximity effect, eliminating boomy bass associated with placing the mic closer to louder sources and making editing a breeze as there are fewer unwanted bass frequencies competing in the mix.
Like the original 19-style dynamic mic, the WA-19 includes all the features that deliver a complete and professional recording experience.
The WA-19 showcases a uniquely crafted brass dynamic cardioid humbucking capsule, meticulously assembled by hand. This capsule combines the essential noise rejection of a dynamic microphone while delivering heightened clarity and a vibrant top-end for enhanced detail, surpassing many studio dynamic microphones.
Vents located down the side of the WA-19 help reduce proximity effect, ensuring troublesome bass due to close miking of loud sources is removed. This makes editing a breeze as there are fewer unwanted bass frequencies competing in the mix.
The WA-19 comes equipped with a versatile acoustic high-pass filter ring capable of reducing up to 10dB at 50Hz. The filter itself modifies the space behind the transducer in the WA-19 to remove unwanted sub-bass. This feature is perfect for refining the tone, emphasizing the upper midrange, and avoiding the typical electronic phase shift associated with preamp high-pass filters.
