Warm Audio WA-44 Ribbon Microphone
Faithfully recreating one of the most iconic studio ribbon mics of all time, the WA-44 from Warm Audio meticulously resurrects the celebrated RCA 44 for modern studios. Sporting an impressively high max SPL of 140 dB, the WM-44 is ideal on a wide range of sources, including vocals, acoustic guitar, drums, strings, and even voiceovers.
The WA-44 features the same tight figure-8 polar pattern as the original for optimal side-address noise rejection, while remaining useful for certain room, instrument, and broadcast recording scenarios. The custom CineMag USA transformer offers powerful bass, lush mids, a tamed high-end without harshness, and a pronounced proximity effect, perfect for broadcast and voiceovers. The WA-44 includes a pigtail Gotham XLR cable, a 3/8″ stand adapter, an embroidered mic sock, and an embroidered microphone case.
Timeless Ribbon Tone
Delivering the iconic tonal experience at the center of recording and broadcast history, the WA-44 faithfully recreates the warm and vintage tones of the legendary RCA 44 ribbon mic of the 1930s.
Sultry Vocals and Surprising Versatility
True to the vintage original, the WA-44 captures powerful bass and rich midrange with an enhanced proximity effect. The WA-44 shows off its warm forgiving tone by taming top end harshness for smooth lead tones on vocals, horns, drums, and more.
Like its inspiration, the WA-44 excels on loud audio sources and removes side-address noise with the tight figure-8 polar pattern. A great choice for vocal recordings that benefit from a reduction in high-end frequencies, the WA-44 is also ideal for capturing haunting horn sections, resonant acoustic instruments, sultry strings, flat drum sounds, deep piano tones, and much more.
Vintage Build, Premium Components
With a boutique-quality build design, the WA-44 is manufactured with exacting quality standards to match the most prized original RCA 44 vintage mics. The WA-44 pairs a true-to-length, custom-crafted Japanese ribbon with a heavy, true-to-size Neodymium magnet powered by a USA-made CineMag transformer to deliver vintage tone with added durability.
Weighing in at over six pounds and including a Star-Quad shielded Gotham XLR cable connector and embroidered case, all of these components come together to revive a classic mic with a premium, vintage build. And like all Warm Audio gear, every single WA-44 is meticulously hand-tested and inspected by trained technicians in Austin, TX USA.
Ideal Applications
- Vocals
- Acoustic guitar
- Drum overheads
- Room mic
- Horns
- Strings
- Voiceover and broadcast
- Piano
Artist Pedigree
Notable artists who recorded with the original RCA 44 include:
- Elvis Presley
- Frank Sinatra
- Johnny Cash
- Wilco / Jeff Tweedy
- Bing Crosby
- John Lennon (Yer Blues)
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Nat King Cole
- Louis Armstrong
- Bob Dylan
Modern artists who have used 44-style mics include:
- Alabama Shakes
- Dolly Parton
- Jack White
- Beck
- The Black Keys
Box Contains
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Warm Audio WA-44 Ribbon Microphone
- 1 x Warm Audio Ribbon Microphone
