[Product Review] Warm Audio Condenser Microphones by Rento Kimura

WARM AUDIO / WA-84 Premium Stereo Package

The WA-84 is a microphone that brings out the best qualities of a small-diaphragm condenser, and the Premium Stereo Package is particularly appealing because it comes with an omni capsule in addition to the cardioid.

The first impression I got when using it on drum tops (overheads) was how clear and well-defined the articulation was.
The high-frequency components of the cymbals stand out very clearly, and the attack of the sticks as well as each individual cymbal grain were recorded vividly.
True to a small-diaphragm condenser, it excels in transient response—the toms’ attack comes through quickly, and the snare’s roughness is well captured, making it well-suited for modern mixes.

Having the omni capsule also expands options when you want to capture room tone or ambience beautifully.
For example, in ambient-style recordings, using the omni capsule to record softly and envelope the sound makes it easier to achieve a natural stereo image during post-processing.

On the other hand, for more aggressive rock or when you want a sharp, cutting sound, using the cardioid and setting some distance while placing the stereo pair slightly higher might be effective.
The matching as a stereo package is also excellent, and it is pleasing that there is minimal imbalance between the left and right channels.

A point to note is that the low-end thickness is not particularly strong.
It may not be suitable to expect the kick’s bottom to come through from the overheads.
The weight of the kick and low toms is better supplemented with separate microphones, which I feel tightens up the mix.

Also, since it records very brightly in rooms with a lot of bounceback, you may need to adjust distance and angle, otherwise it can sound metallic.

Personally, I want to use the WA-84 extensively in situations where I want to take advantage of the small-diaphragm sharpness to clearly capture the texture of cymbals and the attack of toms.
If you want “air + articulation + brightness” simultaneously in drum recordings, I think this microphone does an excellent job.

■ WARM AUDIO WA 84 Premium Stereo Package Snare by Rento Kimura

■ WARM AUDIO WA 84 Premium Stereo Package Top by Rento Kimura

WARM AUDIO / WA-87jr SE

The WA-87jr SE is a cost-effective junior model that retains the characteristics of a large-diaphragm condenser.
It is designed to capture the warmth and focused midrange of a U-87 style, and when used on drum overheads, it is attractive for delivering both thickness and sheen simultaneously.
In particular, the solid midrange makes it convenient for moderately covering the body of toms and the snare on the overheads.
It also brings out the shimmer of cymbals, but not as sharply as the WA-84, producing a rounded high end that is easy on the ears. I think it is a microphone that works well when you want a prominent presence in rock-style recordings.

For setup, using it in stereo from a slightly higher overhead position angled slightly diagonally felt natural for balancing the entire kit.
It also has a headroom that prevents clipping during dynamic performances, giving a sense of reliability in practical SPL ranges.

One point to watch is the balance between clarity and weight.
If the room is too dead, the midrange thickness can sound congested, so it may be necessary to boost the highs with EQ to create some separation.

Personally, I was pleased that the WA-87jr SE makes drums sound full even without processing. It also seems suitable for rock/pop with a live feel, where you want to retain body presence while using overheads.

■ WARM AUDIO WA 87jrSE Snare by Rento Kimura

■ WARM AUDIO WA 87jrSE Top by Rento Kimura

WARM AUDIO / WA-47jr SE

The WA-47jr SE is a large-diaphragm microphone with a character inspired by the U-47, featuring a forward midrange presence and warmth.

When used on drum overheads, it brings the kit forward in the mix, making it effective in situations where you want the drums to stand out on their own.
It captures the snare, tom bodies, and cymbal midrange components richly, making it effective for tracks where you want a rhythm section that sticks in the listener’s ear.

It works well even when placed slightly close, and when panned left and right in stereo, it adds a sense of thickness to the center of the kit.
It is useful for aggressive recording styles or when emphasizing a raw, live feel, and often reduces the amount of EQ adjustment needed in the mix.
Because the sound projects forward, attention to room sound and careful adjustment of phase and angles during setup is necessary.

There are few notable drawbacks, though in some situations, the low-end fullness can feel more restrained compared to the WA-87jr SE.
For those expecting kick weight or tom body resonance from the overheads alone, it is better to use dedicated kick or tom microphones in combination.

Personally, I think the WA-47jr SE is a great choice for “bringing the drums forward and driving the song.”
It can be a go-to mic when you want musical coloring or need a strong, live-like presence in your production.

■ WARM AUDIO WA 47jrSE Snare by Rento Kimura

■ WARM AUDIO WA 47jrSE Top by Rento Kimura

The Appeal of WARM AUDIO

High quality at a low price that allows you to achieve “good sound”.

For drummers, recording equipment is extremely important, and WARM AUDIO can raise the quality of your recordings a step up while remaining cost-effective.

Especially in drum recording,

• Kick low end
• Snare attack
• Cymbal airiness

These elements can be captured with a sense of dimensionality even before mixing, which is very satisfying.
All of these have a sound character inspired by the original models, and achieving that quality at a reasonable price is a strong point.

“Strong Instrumental Presence” That Fits Any Genre

I felt that WARM AUDIO equipment is not the type that records clean and sterile, but rather brings out the instrument’s natural expression.

As a drummer, the strengths I personally noticed are:

• Realistic snare stick definition
• The entire kit comes forward
• Clear high-frequency content of the cymbals
• Refined sense of room ambience

No matter the genre, it faithfully captures the personality of the drums.

In particular, the three sets I tested this time:

• WA-87jr SE → Thick top that supports the song
• WA-47jr → Midrange that brings the snare and kit forward
• WA-84 → Airy clarity that highlights cymbal definition

Because each instrument’s character becomes distinct, it makes it easier in the mix to judge what to add / what to subtract.

As a result, good performances are more likely to translate into excellent final recordings.

“Instantly Pleasing Sound the Moment You Record”

What I particularly appreciated about using WARM AUDIO is that the pleasant feel of playing live drums is captured exactly as it is by the microphone.

This difference is especially noticeable with overhead microphones, which record in a way that feels good to play along with.

As a performer, this is truly important because it creates a cycle where:

• Your tension and energy rise
• Better takes are produced
• Mixing becomes easier

“Quality Beyond the Price – A Powerful Tool for Home and Private Studios”

For drummers like me who have a private studio or record audio for video content and social media, WARM AUDIO offers one of the best performance vs price ratios.

It allows you to approach professional-quality sound while keeping the price realistic and easy to expand your collection.

Recommended choices:

• First mic → WA-87jrSE
• To enhance cymbal resolution → WA-84
• When you want character → WA-47jrSE

To Summarize

WARM AUDIO provides the reassurance that when you record your own drumming, the quality of your own performance comes through clearly.

• Thickness
• Clarity
• Air
• Instrument presence

The greatest appeal of WARM AUDIO is its ability to balance the feel-good experience for drummers with sound that is easy for engineers to work with.

Give it a try!

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