A Review of the Warm Audio WA-CX12 Microphone

May 28, 2023

A Review of the Warm Audio WA-CX12 Microphone

When it comes to recording music, having high-quality equipment is essential. Microphones are especially important to ensure the best possible sound. The Warm Audio WA-CX12 is a microphone that has been gaining popularity among music producers and audio engineers. Warm Audio designed the WA-CX12 as a faithful recreation of the most natural and balanced tube mic of all time, lauded for its organic tone and pleasing top end.

The original AKG C12 was produced in Austria from 1953 – 1963. The WA-CX12 sound profile and circuit design is inspired by the original production run of only 2500 mics, which are highly coveted. Specifically known for their ability to capture the natural beauty of vocal performances, room sounds, and other miking techniques. The list of famous recording artists who have created music with the original include The Beatles, Lupe Fiasco, Tom Petty, Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette, and Taylor Swift, just to name a few. The WA-CX12 cuts no corners in achieving the highly coveted open, airy, and natural sound profile used over and over again by some of the world’s most recognized engineers and artists.

Features of the Warm Audio WA-CX12

The Warm Audio WA-CX12 is a large-diaphragm Tube condenser microphone that is designed to capture clear and detailed vocals and instruments. It has a cardioid polar pattern that helps to isolate the source of sound and reduce unwanted background noise. The microphone also has a high-pass filter that can be adjusted to reduce low-frequency sounds such as rumble or wind noise. It has a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz and can handle sound pressure levels of up to 137dB, making it suitable for recording loud instruments such as drums.

The First impression when you receive this microphone is how impressive the lengths Warm Audio’s design team went to protect and store this microphone . The Microphone and accessories come packaged in a rugged tweed case that is reminiscent of that vintage 50’s Fender Look. In the Package you have the Microphone in a velvet Lined wood case, the Power supply that also has the 9 segment polar pattern controls, High Quality multi-pin Cable, Spider Cage and power Cable. This gives the whole package a premium look and feel that honors this microphone.

Beyond the package itself, once you have the microphone in your hand, you can immediately tell the build quality borders on the elite. The WA-CX12 is hand inspected in Austin Texas and is a professional large-diaphragm tube microphone with premium components. Looking at the components starting at the top, the CX12 has an edge-terminated, all-brass CK12-style capsule, that stays true to the frequency response of the original-run 12-style microphones. This capsule allows the WA-CX12 to have 9 polar patterns with the typical cardioid, omni, and figure-8, in addition to 6 intermediate patterns. Moving down from the capsule, the WA-CX12 uses a premium 12AY7 vacuum tube for added warmth. At the end of the circuit, the WA-CX12 uses a custom TAB-Funkenwerk (AMI) USA Output Transformer, which gives the WA-CX12 a very full, wide, and open sound, getting the most out of the capsule and additional circuit components. The WA-CX12 has premium capacitors throughout, and a no-solder mask board for the lowest noise possible.

Performance and Sound Quality

The Warm Audio WA-CX12 has been praised for its warm and natural sound quality. The circuit design of the WA-CX12 is faithful to the original production run from 1953-1963, and serves as the basis for the historically accurate sound profile. Like the original, the WA-CX12 tone is mostly flat until a slight dip at 2kHz with a gradual boost between 5-10kHz, resulting in a full-bodied sound. The 9 position Multi polar patters gives you superior control which ensures that the sound source is captured accurately. The microphone also has a high sensitivity, which means that it can capture even the quietest of sounds. The high-pass filter is also effective in reducing low-frequency noise, resulting in a cleaner recording.

Price and Conclusion

The Warm Audio WA-CX12 is priced at around $1,000, which is relatively affordable compared to other high-end microphones. It offers excellent sound quality and features that make it suitable for recording a wide variety of instruments and vocals. If you’re looking for a microphone that can capture clear and detailed sound, the Warm Audio WA-CX12 is definitely worth considering.

Conclusion

As any professional audio engineer will tell you, the best investments you can make for your studio is your microphone collection. Vintage microphones can run into the 10’s of Thousands of dollars and for the most part are out of reach for most home studios. Warm Audio has been dedicated to bringing the sound of these vintage microphones (as well as preamps, compressors, etc) to the home recording market from their inception. They have over the years garnered the respect and admiration of professional recording engineers from all over the world, to the point that many of these engineers have invested in Warm Audio Microphones and outboard gear.

The Warm Audio WA-CX12 is an exceptional microphone that provides remarkable sound quality and Has a array of features. With its warm and natural sound, it is ideal for recording not only vocals but also a wide range of instruments, including drums, guitars, and pianos. Its affordability makes it a popular choice among music producers and audio engineers of all levels. In addition, the microphone’s user-friendly design and compatibility with various recording software make it an excellent investment for both beginners and professionals alike. If you’re in the market for a new microphone, the Warm Audio WA-CX12 is undoubtedly worth considering, as it offers impressive sound quality and versatility at a reasonable price point.

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