Warm Audio WA84 – Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone (Black)

OVERVIEW

The Warm Audio WA-84 is a precise reproduction of a legendary small-diaphragm condenser microphone, designed to capture the detailed, focused character that made vintage 84-style microphones a studio standard. Its carefully crafted KK84-style cardioid capsule provides excellent transient detail and noise rejection, while its carefully voiced response includes a smooth 9–10 kHz dip that helps control excessive high-frequency harshness without sacrificing clarity or brilliance. The result is a clear and natural sound with particularly impressive performance on cymbals and other sources where smooth high-frequency reproduction is essential.

Unlike many modern transformerless recreations, the WA-84 retains a custom USA-made CineMag transformer and a fully discrete Class-A analogue signal path. Using WIMA, polystyrene and tantalum through-hole capacitors throughout the circuit for high-quality signal transfer from the capsule through to the transformer, while a Fairchild FET completes the vintage-style electronics. This combination produces the rich detail, smooth top end and solid mid-to-low-frequency response associated with the original design, while maintaining the excellent clarity and isolation expected from a professional condenser microphone.

The WA-84 is equally at home on drum overheads, acoustic guitar, percussion and orchestral or string instruments, where its detailed transient response and focused cardioid pickup can bring individual sources forward in a mix. A switchable -10 dB pad adds further headroom when recording louder sources, while every microphone is hand-inspected at Warm Audio’s Austin, Texas headquarters to ensure a high standard of build quality and performance.

 

 

Cardioid Capsule

The carefully crafted cardioid capsule provides the elite performance of the vintage original – with a smooth 9-10K dip that prevents overly harsh high end – especially important for cymbals!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WIMA, Polystyrene & Tantalum Capacitors

The WA-84 proudly utilises WIMA, polystyrene and tantalum through-hole capacitors throughout the whole circuit for ideal signal transfer from capsule-to-transformer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Custom CineMag Transformer

Unlike modern transformerless reissues, the WA-84 uses a custom USA-made CineMag transformer that helps deliver rich detail, clear top end, and tight bottom end of the original mics without losing that unmistakable ‘analog’ sound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pad Switch

The available -10 dB pad provides more headroom to record loud sources with the impressive detail of a condenser plus elite noise-rejection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Legendary Roots

The WA-84 is a precise reproduction of the industry-standard small-diaphragm condenser mic. Unlike modern transformerless recreations, vintage units are prized for the rich & detailed tone that delivers smooth yet detailed high end. Like the original, the WA-84 delivers that signature SDC sound trusted by artists and engineers on legendary recordings by James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, Paul Simon, Steve Gadd and many more.

Clear, Focused Tone

Like the original vintage units, the WA-84 delivers open clarity with powerful noise rejection. Unlike modern reissues that skip the transformer and “update” the circuit, the WA-84 captures creamy-smooth top-end and the BEEFY mid to bottom-end that made the original the studio legend that it is. The class-A circuitry, premium transformer, and meticulous design allow the WA-84 to capture precise detail in performances with professional sound isolation. The slight 8–10 kHz dip / 11–20 kHz bump smooths out harsh highs without any lost brilliance.

KK84-Style Capsule

The WA-84 utilises a custom KK84-style capsule designed to deliver the performance of the original vintage mics. The WA-84’s capsule is carefully manufactured and is precisely reproduced to vintage specs. Experience incredible detail and precise noise rejection across the 20Hz – 20kHz frequency response. With an especially sweet high-end and detailed lows and mids, the capsule inside the WA-84 will quickly make this a favourite mic for sources that require intricate detail and isolation.

American-Made Transformer From Cinemag

The WA-84 utilises an American-made CineMag USA transformer. CineMag has a rich history of manufacturing some of the most sought-after American-made transformers. CineMag products date all the way back to World War II (as Reichenbach Engineering) and were pivotal in creating some of the most legendary audio products in the last 100 years. This transformer helps provide the creamy-smooth top-end and the BEEFY mid to bottom-end one would hope to get from a vintage 84-style small-diaphragm condenser microphone.

100% Discrete Analog Circuit

The WA-84 is a fully discrete Class-A circuit that utilises polystyrene / WIMA / tantalum capacitors, a Fairchild FET, and meticulous through-hole construction.

Hand-Tested, Elite Build Quality

Every single WA-84 is meticulously hand-inspected at Warm HQ in Austin, TX by real musicians and engineers with passion for superior sound.

Applications

Drum Overheads – Clear Cymbals & Room Sounds:

Emphasise the “crack” of the snare, “snap” of the toms, and crisp detail of cymbals.

Acoustic Guitars – Pristine Fretboard Tone:

Capture all the harmonic detail and brilliance of acoustic guitar with added focus.

Percussion – Detailed Percussion:

Isolate specific pieces of percussion so they sit perfectly in the mix with great detail.

Orchestral / Strings – Present, Forward Strings:

Clear soprano and alto strings – ideal for violins and violas.

FEATURES

• Precise reproduction of a legendary industry-standard small-diaphragm condenser microphone
• Carefully crafted KK84-style cardioid capsule for detailed, focused sound capture
• Smooth 9–10 kHz high-frequency dip helps reduce harshness while retaining clarity and brilliance
• Excellent transient response and noise rejection for detailed studio recording
• Custom USA-made CineMag transformer for rich detail, clear top end and tight bottom end
• Fully discrete Class-A analogue signal path
• WIMA, polystyrene and tantalum through-hole capacitors throughout the circuit
• Fairchild FET for vintage-style analogue performance
• Transformer-balanced output for authentic vintage-inspired character
• Switchable -10 dB pad for additional headroom with loud sources
• 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency response
• Ideal for drum overheads, cymbals, acoustic guitar, percussion and strings
• Suitable for stereo recording applications when used as a matched pair
• Requires 48V phantom power
• Professional 3-pin gold-plated XLR connector
• Hand-inspected at Warm Audio’s Austin, Texas headquarters
• Black finish – also available in nickel
• Includes shockmount, hard mount, windscreen and protective carrying case
• Five-year manufacturer warranty

TECHNICAL SPECS

Product Type: Small-Diaphragm, Transformer-Balanced Condenser Microphone

Switch: 0db or -10 dB Pad

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Internal Components:

• Fully Discrete Vintage-Style Signal Path – Class A design, utilising Polystyrene and Wima capacitors, and a Fairchild FET
• Vintage KK84-Style Cardioid Capsule Reproduction
• Custom CineMag USA Transformer
• Requires 48V Phantom Power

Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Sensitivity: -39 dB or 11 MV/PA @ 1kHz

Output Impedance: 200Ω

Rated Load Impedance: ≥1kΩ

Maximum SPL: 123/133dB @ 1kHz, 0.5% THD, 0/-10dB

S/N Ratio: 78dBA (IEC651)

Equivalent Noise: 16dBA (IEC651)

Dynamic Range: 107dBA (IEC651)

Connector: 3-Pin Gold-Plated XLR

Dimensions:

• Height/Length — 13.2 cm (5.2”)
• Diameter — 2.2 cm (0.87”)

Weight: 122 g (0.27 lbs)

Colour/Finish: Black

Warranty: 5-Years

Included Accessories:

• 1 x Shockmount
• 1 x Hard Mount
• 1 x Windscreen
• Protective Carrying Case

DOWNLOADS & SUPPORT

• User Manual
• Product Registration