Warm Audio is Amazing!!!

Nice to see you again!

I’m Saq. I’m starting to believe I’m becoming somewhat recognized as an external writer here.
Recently, I’ve been typing away on my keyboard almost every day because ideas keep popping up.

Today, I’d like to introduce a manufacturer that I personally highly recommend.
So far, I’ve mostly talked about effect pedals, but I’m not only a guitarist. I’m a drummer, too, and I make music with software, so I focus on various topics.
That said, this article will also feature effect pedals...

So, let me introduce Warm Audio. Many of you might already know this brand, but this is a great opportunity to get to know it better.

I occasionally focused on Warm Audio in my articles and they are an amazing manufacturer.
What’s so amazing about them is that they reproduce high-precision replicas of legendary equipment and sell them at affordable prices. You might think there are many manufacturers like them, but I want to showcase some of their products to truly convey their greatness.

Entry No. 1: Effect Pedal - Centavo

I can almost hear you saying, “Of course, it’s this guy again!” This pedal has featured in my article about recommended backing effect pedals and also the one about Centaur clone pedals. The Centavo is a replica of the famous Centaur.
I won’t go into the details here as I’ve written extensively about it in my post about Centaur clone pedals, but the Centavo is a faithful reproduction with small details that we can’t even understand.
I remember seeing the Centavo on the pedalboard of one of the professional guitarists I know, right alongside the Quad Cortex, so its sound quality is guaranteed.
Warm Audio has also replicated other pedals besides the Centaur, including the now hard-to-find Fulltone OCD (replicated as the ODD Box v1) and other distortion pedals, as well as phasers and ring modulators.
I’m very excited to see which models they will replicate next.
Personally, I’d be thrilled if they could reproduce something like the Vemuram pedal, which is known for its high price...

Entry No. 2: Condenser Microphone - WA-8000

Next up is a condenser microphone. Even if you don’t know much about microphone models, you might have seen this one.

It’s used by the YouTube channel, THE FIRST TAKE.

However, WA-8000 isn’t the exact same as the one used in THE FIRST TAKE. Warm Audio has made it look and sound so similar that you wouldn’t notice the difference at first glance. The actual microphone used in THE FIRST TAKE is:

SONY / C-800G/9X

It costs a staggering 1,248,000 yen, plus an additional 376,100 yen for the required AC-MC800G/9X power unit, making it a real monster in terms of price.
On the other hand, Warm Audio’s WA-8000 is an astonishing 178,000 yen (tax included) and it even comes with a dedicated power unit. All you need is an audio interface and a microphone cable.
The original C-800G is tuned specifically for the Japanese language, and the WA-8000 replicates this as well. In blind tests with professionals, some couldn’t distinguish the WA-8000 from the original C-800G, demonstrating its precise sound reproduction.
Moreover, Warm Audio’s impressive range doesn’t stop at the C-800G. They also offer replicas of the AKG C414, Telefunken U47 and ELA M 251 E.
The more expensive the original model, the more likely a seasoned professional might notice a difference. However, Warm Audio’s products capture the essential sound characteristics and are available at a price that even amateurs can afford.

Just think about it simply. If you try to reduce a 2 million yen product to 100,000 yen, there will naturally be some quality differences. However, Warm Audio’s products exhibit only minimal differences that most people won’t notice unless they are extremely experienced. The value and fidelity to the original models remain impressive.
This is the same across their entire product line.

And of course, the microphone lineup is equally amazing.

It’s also nice to see that they offer color variations in nickel and black. Honestly, their affordability is astonishing.

Entry No. 3: Processors - WA73-EQ，WA-76，WA-2A

Some of you might be wondering, what exactly is a processor?
In essence, it’s a unit designed to control audio signals.
You might think, isn’t that just an effects unit? Well, there’s a subtle difference.
Processors are primarily used in recording, mixing, and mastering to enhance the sound quality, making it more pleasing to the ear rather than for creative sound shaping.
The three units I introduce in this article are known as dynamics processors, which essentially means they are EQs and compressors.
For a deeper understanding of these terms, you might find this Beginner’s Guide from Sound House helpful.

Back to the topic at hand, the three units pictured above are the WA73-EQ, WA-76, and WA-2A. These are, respectively, an EQ, a FET compressor, and an optical compressor. If you’re into software music production and do mixing or mastering, these names might ring a bell.
Here are their original models:

WA73-EQ　→　AMS Neve / 1073N

WA-76　→　UNIVERSAL AUDIO / 1076LN

WA-2A　→　Teletronix / LA-2A (now available through Universal Audio / LA-2A)

These units are strikingly similar in appearance to their originals. Each is hand-wired, ensuring minimal individual variation and faithfully replicating the performance of the original models. They are incredibly accurate and reasonably priced, making them accessible even for amateur creators with just a bit of effort.

Here’s a look inside each unit. Now you get excited, don’t you?

I usually mix with plugins like the Scheps 73, CLA-76, and CLA-2A from Waves, but I have an incredibly strong desire to have these as outboard gear. There’s just something so appealing about seeing these units lined up in a rack.
Combining these three with the WA-251 would give you an incredible vintage sound at a realistic price. The total would be around 500,000 yen, which is just about attainable.
I won’t go into detail about the sound of each unit since that’s not the focus of this article. However, these are all models that are widely used in professional settings, so I encourage you to look them up.

So, how did you find this overview of various Warm Audio products? I hope it conveyed just how meticulously they replicate classic models and offer them at affordable prices. Even if you’re not specifically interested in the original models, there’s no doubt that Warm Audio’s pedals, mics, and processors are excellent products. They also offer great value for money, making them a good choice to keep in mind if you’re ever unsure of what to get.

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