Warm Audio’s Classic FET Condenser, Better Than Ever

Warm Audio’s acclaimed compressors and preamps have famously upset the pro audio price/performance ratio. When the company turned its attention to microphones with the WA-87, it set a high target: one of the most iconic large-diaphragm, multi-pattern FET condenser mics in history. To say Warm Audio succeeded would be an understatement: the original WA-87 was a best-seller here at Music Experience. Now, with the WA-87 R2, Warm Audio has made its modern classic better than ever. Featuring a sleek new design with a rounded grille, optimized metalwork, and performance enhancements that include a genuine CineMag transformer, the Warm Audio WA-87 R2 is a workhorse mic that deserves a place in your mic locker.

Affordable Modern Incarnation of a Legendary Mic

Flash back to any top recording studio in the 1970s. You’ll see the venerable ’87 everywhere: on toms, overheads, guitar cabs, brass, congas, vocals — you name it. Music Experience engineers who have worked with different generations of this perennial studio favorite know that the vintage ones have a warmer, more forgiving sonic character. It’s these circuit designs, dating back a half century, that Warm Audio closely followed for the WA-87 R2. Stellar performance, top-shelf parts, and amazing value — that’s the Warm formula, and the WA-87 R2 nails it.

What Can the WA-87 R2 Do for You?

Every studio needs at least one pair of high-quality large-diaphragm condenser mics, and the Warm Audio WA-87 R2 is designed after a legendary one. You can use the WA-87 R2 on anything with world-class results. It’s great for vocals. It makes drums sound huge. It’s a must-have for adding a bit of room to complement a close dynamic or ribbon mic on a guitar cabinet. It’s an ideal choice for any acoustic instrument — strings, brass, woodwinds, or percussion. We’ve even used it on a kick drum (where the -10dB pad comes in handy)! It’s equipped with an 80Hz highpass filter that’s useful for eliminating low-end mud and rumble. And its three polar patterns further increase this microphone’s already impressive versatility.

Explore the Sonic Possibilities

The WA-87 R2’s three switchable polar patterns — cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 — give you immense flexibility when it comes to exploring the sonic possibilities offered by different recording techniques. Figure-8 (bidirectional) is perfect for capturing face-to-face recordings, such as two background singers on one mic. This pattern also features aggressive side rejection, which makes it a useful option for miking backline amps and speaker cabinets. With two of these superb mics, you can implement stereo techniques, such as spaced pair (A/B), XY (including Blumlein), ORTF array, and mid-side (M-S). You could even mic an entire symphony orchestra and the ambience of the hall it’s in with just three judiciously placed WA-87 R2 microphones set to omni.

Quality Components Make the Warm Difference

Warm Audio doesn’t cut corners on components, but it does order parts and build in quantity, which keeps costs down and delivers amazing value. The WA-87 R2 is assembled with premium all-discrete components, such as NOS Fairchild transistors, WIMA/Nichicon capacitors, and a genuine USA-made CineMag output transformer. The mic also features a custom reproduction of the renowned K87 dual-diaphragm/dual-backplate capsule used in vintage ’87s. Premium parts and meticulous design deliver a superior-sounding microphone — one that doesn’t cost a fortune. Give the WA-87 R2 an audition in your studio; you’ll hear what we’re talking about.

What Warm Audio Says...

The Original Hitmaker

The WA-87 R2 is an authentic reproduction of a truly iconic mic from the late-60s that is widely considered to be one of the greatest studio mics ever designed. Original 87s boast an artist roster that spans Paul McCartney & David Bowie all the way to Calvin Harris & Ed Sheeran.

Legendary Sound For Vocals And Beyond

Like the original, the WA-87 R2 delivers noticeably smooth bass and mids while adding the pristine top end that engineers have chased for decades. The signature 7–10kHz bump adds a radio-friendly edge to lead vocals and any source that needs to stand out in a mix. Three polar patterns give you versatility for any application.

What You Need to Know

Like the original 87-style mic, the WA-87 R2 includes all the features that deliver a complete and professional recording experience. The K87-style capsule is an authentic reproduction of the classic K87 capsule found on vintage 87-style mics, known for delivering incredible and especially pleasing high-end. Three polar patterns (cardioid, omni, and figure-8) give you multiple options for capturing sound and rejecting noise. The -10dB pad provides more headroom to record loud sources with the impressive detail of a large-diaphragm condenser. The switchable 80Hz highpass filter makes it easy to remove unruly bass noise from sources before you even hit record.