[Product Review] Warm Audio WA-84 Stereo Pair by Osamu Fukuzawa

I’m Osamu Fukuzawa, a keyboardist/composer.

I would like to review the WARM AUDIO / WA-84 STEREO PAIR NICKEL condenser microphone set.

Last year, I purchased a Japanese-made upright piano from the 1970s, and wanting to record its sound with a warm and natural sense of distance, I decided to bring these microphones into my setup.

This model appears to be a recreation of the vintage Neumann KM-84, but acquiring original vintage units comes with major issues such as individual differences and maintenance burdens. Wanting a set that could be used consistently, the WA-84 became the realistic choice.

Being able to obtain this type of tonal character and nuance in brand-new condition is a major advantage.

→ In my case, I often place them like this and start recording.

■ Without EQ

■ With EQ

Reinforcing the high components like this, etc.

■ Performance video

My upright piano has a lot of noise and is characterized by a sound whose weight sits lower, but the WA-84 brings that character forward honestly without damaging it, while naturally preserving a roundness that doesn’t pierce the ears.

The impression you get the moment you record already has a quality that can stand as a finished piece, and there’s a sense of reassurance in how the ambience comes together without needing excessive processing.

Also, thanks to the stereo pair, the imaging is extremely stable, and for solo piano you can create a natural sense of width that feels as if it is right there in the room with you. Since the nuance changes with just a few centimeters of distance or positional adjustment, there’s plenty of room for fine-tuning.

I really like the sound of the WA-84—very warm, with a strong sense of presence.

For those seeking recordings that feel contemporary yet not overly hi-fi, and with a musical sense of warmth, I think this is an excellent option.

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