[Product Review] Warm Audio WA-19 by Haruki Ishida

This mic is a faithful recreation of the AKG D-19 type dynamic microphone that gained popularity in the 1960s. Crisp highs like those of a condenser microphone. I am going to try out this product, which features a variable acoustic HPF ring.

WARM AUDIO / WA-19 Nickel

WARM AUDIO / WA-19 Black

What kind of characteristics does it have for this price?
When I used it on vocals, I thought it had a tone that makes you want to double -track like old-school AOR, but first of all, the handling noise was more noticeable than I expected, so a mic stand is definitely necessary.

The tone is quite distinctive and it has a vintage feel.
This time, I’ll record with it flat, without using the HPF filter.

Saxophone

First, I tried recording a saxophone.

The midrange has a satisfying, punchy “cone” quality.
The highs are also bright and give a pleasant balance.
Its clarity makes it well-suited for tracks where you want the horns to stand out in the mix.

Grand Piano

I mic’d it from above in a hall setting.
It has a rich, savory tone with a similarly bright impression.

Percussion

The crisp parts of the shaker were captured well, resulting in a very nice balance. Even instruments like key chimes didn’t have any harshness, and it seems like it would blend smoothly within a band mix.

Drums

I mic’d it from above the bass drum aiming slightly toward the snare.
The attack of each drum was captured with a good balance.

It also seems well-suited for snare use on its own.
Since it brings out both tone and attack that’s slightly forward, I think it’s perfect for instruments with strong character!

I also tried it on vocals, and it gave the impression of being very monitor-friendly.
I highly recommend this mic for those seeking a well-balanced, clear, vintage-sounding tone.

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