Warm Audio WA-2MPX

Tape-Era Tube Warmth

The WA-MPX & WA-2MPX are authentic reproductions of the most revered microphone tube preamps that pioneered the birth of rock ‘n’ roll & radio-ready hits. During the golden era of tape recording, the original 351-style tube preamps were the kings of studio tech delivering pure analog warmth; the signature sound in the signal chain of hit recordings for artists including Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, Les Paul, Nat King Cole, and Roy Orbison.

An Authentic Vintage Experience

The WA-MPX preamps deliver the same sonic signature as their vintage inspiration, imparting high-headroom analog warmth that goes from ultra clean to rude and saturated. Each channel boasts a handwired circuit containing custom CineMag transformers and three tubes that, with the high-gain switch engaged, bring the WA-MPX up to an incredible 90dB of gain. The WA-MPX not only delivers the sound of a legendary tape-era tube preamp but one of the best values in an all-tube mic preamp on the market today.

The classic Warm Audio “tone” control alters the input transformer impedance from 600Ω to 150Ω,, adding “air” or “sheen” to the top end - great for ribbons or “darker” mics.

The “high gain” switch engages an extra 20dB of tube gain to take the WA-MPX all the way to 90dB - very useful on lower output dynamic and ribbon mics

The Tape Saturation control engages a discrete circuit in the signal that adds focused tone filtering to emulate the sound of tape machines running at 15IPS, adding just enough imperfection to the signal, especially when used on program material for mixing and mastering.

The switchable 80 Hz high pass filter makes it easy to remove unruly bass noise from sources before you even hit record. The 2 kHz low pass filter allows you to chop off upper-mids and harsh highs for a uniquely Lo-Fi sound.

Tube Image

Using three premium vacuum tubes, two 12AX7s & one 12AU7 per channel, the WA-MPX  delivers both high headroom and harmonically-rich vintage analog tone only found in the most unattainable tube microphone preamps on the market.

Transformer Image

The USA-made CineMag transformers inside WA-MPX pres are custom-wound with a very large core. As the output control is pushed, the transformers introduce harmonic overtones and eventually, sweet distortion to the signal. This additional layer of analog color expands the sonic signature of the WA-MPX preamps.

Tape SAT Image

The Tape Saturation control engages a discrete circuit in the signal path using a diode ladder to  the gain section. This ladder further compresses the signal and rolls off high end, focusing the tone in the midrange. This change in the audio signal emulates the signal degradation caused by reel-to-reel recording machines running at 15 inches-per-second.

Hand-Tested, Elite Build Quality*

Every single WA-MPX & WA-2MPX is meticulously hand-inspected at Warm HQ in Austin,TX by real musicians and engineers with passion for superior sound.