Give your recordings the sound of a legend from the Tape era.
The Warm Audio WA-MPX is a professional tube microphone pre-amp derived from the iconic Ampex 351. From the rock pioneers of the '50s and '60s to today's artists, the legendary "351" is the secret ingredient in the signal chain that delivers the vintage-flavored warmth and color our Klundert enginears seek in studio recordings.The Warm Audio WA-MPX 1-channel tube mic/line/instrument preamp incorporates an original circuit design, authentically reproducing the coveted analog sound of the original. The WA-MPX is hand-wired and assembled using only high-quality, completely discrete components, including custom-wound, original CineMag USA transformers. The WA-MPX packs a thick punch and is a great preamp that makes it indispensable for in a modern hybrid studio workflow.
Original circuit design, all features
Warm Audio stays true to the original circuit design, but has supplemented this unit with modern features that make the WA-MPX impressively versatile for the studio. Combined with the preamp gain and output level controls, the tape saturation switch makes it easy to tweak your gain structure from wide open and crystal clear to blistering hot. The classic tone switch lets you adjust the impedance of the microphone transformer for microphone optimization or additional analog color. Also on board is a great-sounding instrument DI input, high- and lowpass filters, polarity inversion and, of course, 48V phantom power. The WA-MPX uses three premium vacuum tubes: two 12AX7s and one 12AU7. Warm has provided a high-gain switch that engages the third tube, increasing the available gain from 70dB to a whopping 90dB. Now you can finally use your favorite passive ribbon mic on whisper-quiet sources.
Easy to use
With its good looks, the WA-MPX resembles the vintage tape machines that inspired it. The WA-MPX's thick brushed aluminum front panel is a model of simplicity, offering a logical and simple layout with large, handy knobs and a warmly lit VU meter. To the left is a rotary input selector with microphone, line and instrument settings. To its right are the instrument jack and seven switches for the aforementioned functions. And finally, there is that wonderful VU meter, flanked by knobs for preamp and output level. The knobs and switches feel silky smooth and are solidly built. For those professionals who need more channels, Warm Audio also makes a 2-channel version, the WA-2MPX.
Lots of warmth for your money
Warm Audio never ceases to surprise us. With the WA-MPX, they have once again managed to deliver a rich, hand-assembled, boutique-quality tube preamp at an amazingly affordable price. The flexible gain structure gives you plenty of room to push the tubes and set natural harmonic distortion and compression that give sources an authentic '15IPS' reel-to-reel sound. The WA-MPX has mic/line inputs and balanced outputs on XLR and TRS for easy integration into your studio or live setup. Its rugged metal chassis with sturdy rackmount faceplate and discreet hand-wired internal components also make it an ideal preamp for front-of-house and location recording. Equipped with a robust internal power supply and switchable 115/230 voltage, the WA-MPX is ready for action on any continent. Add to that the surprisingly low price tag and you get incredible value (heat) for your money. Enhance your recordings with the sound of an iconic legend: the Warm Audio WA-MPX tube preamp!
Warm Audio WA-MPX preamplifier features:
- authentic reproduction of the coveted Ampex 351 tube preamplifier
- completely discreet, hand-wired and hand-built construction with 90dB analog tube amplification
- selectable tape saturation adds harmonic distortion and natural compression for authentic analog sound
- specially wound CineMag USA transformers
- tone switch changes microphone input transformer impedance for optimization or additional analog tone
- 600Ω output attenuator
- vacuum tubes 2x 12AX7 and 1x 12AU7
- preamplification: 70dB to 90dB (with High Gain enabled)
- High Gain control engages third tube in circuit for 20dB additional gain for low output microphones
- 48V phantom power and polarity switch
- 80Hz high-pass filter
- 2kHz low-pass filter focuses power and warmth on mid frequencies for extra punch
- Inputs: XLR Microphone, TRS jack line, TS jack instrument
- outputs: line level XLR and TRS jack
- frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz
- Each unit is hand checked and tested at Warm Audio headquarters in Austin, Texas.
