The WA-251 was created to offer a classic microphone design to a new generation of recording artists at an affordable price. Warm Audio spent a great deal of time listening to different 251 microphone users to determine what people liked about them and why, how various styles of components impact the tone, and how to give the WA-251 microphone a signature that pays homage to the vintage classic, but also stands out on its own.

The WA-251 is an all-vacuum tube, large-diaphragm, transformer-balanced, multi-pattern, large-condenser microphone, based on the classic 251 that has been used on countless hit records for the last 50+ years. The WA-251 is designed for pro studio, home studio, live and broadcast applications, and sounds great on vocals, acoustic-electric guitars, acoustic-electric bass, drums, piano, strings, brass/woodwind instruments and an array of other sources.

The classic 251 became extremely popular as a vocal microphone in the 1960s and is now considered to be one of the greatest condenser microphones ever created. The classic 251 is still widely used today in professional recording studios, but has become extremely rare and cost prohibitive to acquire. Designing the WA-251 to sound like the classic 251 was no easy task, especially since some of the vintage components are no longer manufactured or available. Warm Audio worked tirelessly to release such a gorgeous-sounding classic to the market at a price that’s reachable to more people than ever before.

The Capsule
The WA-251 utilizes a custom reproduction of the vintage CK12-style capsule that was used in the classic 251 microphone—designed with a similar hole pattern and frequency response. Warm Audio's version of this capsule (model# WA-12-B-60v) is carefully manufactured by an Australian capsule supplier and is precisely reproduced to the vintage specs. Warm Audio is pleased to offer such a great CK12-style capsule reincarnation because it allows Warm Audio to nail the sonics of the most important piece of the formula.

The Tube
A Slovak Republic JJ 12AY7 vacuum tube is used in the WA-251. Warm Audio auditioned three tube brands and fell in love with the JJ 12AY7. The frequency response of the JJ tube, and the way it contributes to the circuit is tonally smooth and vintage in nature.

The Transformer
The WA-251 utilizes an American-made CineMag USA transformer. This transformer helps provide the present top end and the large bottom end one would hope to get from a 251-style condenser microphone.

The Capacitors 
The WA-251 proudly uses polystyrene coupling capacitors, WIMA film capacitors throughout, and an imported Solen French capacitor on its output.

The Cable
One component of a tube microphone that is often overlooked is the 7-pin cable that connects the microphone to its power supply. When auditioning the WA-251 and other tube microphones, Warm Audio learned quite a bit about 7-pin cables and how the shielding and wire gauge size can drastically change the sonics of a tube microphone. So, they partnered with Gotham Audio in Switzerland to use their very carefully built high-end 7-pin GAC-7 cable. Using this cable increases top end presence and the overall size of the recorded image in the stereo field by reducing phase shift and the parasitic effect often experienced in poorly built cables. Gotham Cabling is very expensive and boutique in nature, and shouldn’t be considered a small addition to the WA-251 package.

Custom WA-12-b-60V edge terminated, dual-backplate, all-brass vintage CK12-style capsule
Cinemag USA output transformer
JJ Slovak 12AY7 vacuum tube
Gotham 5-meter GAC-7, 7-pin tube microphone cable
WIMA, Solen French and polystyrene capacitors
Three selectable polar patterns: cardioid, omni, figure-8

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Our products are backed by our 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Our commitment to you is to ensure that you are completely satisfied with your purchase.

New Gear: If you’re not satisfied, neither are we. If for any reason you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase of a new item, simply return it in its original condition within 45 days of purchase (see exceptions below) and we’ll give you a full refund. It’s that simple.

Returned items must be in original, brand-new condition, showing no signs of wear or use such as belt-buckle or pick scratches, scuffs, dings or scrapes on the instrument or collateral materials. Items must also include all original packaging, manuals, warrantees and accessories or your return may be subject to a return handling charge.

Your refund will be promptly processed upon successful evaluation of your returned item from our trained category professionals. Refunds are made for product value only, excluding shipping and handling charges. If you received Free Shipping on your order, the value of the uncharged shipping cost will be deducted from your refund.

Limitations and Exceptions

Returns of the following products must be made within 10 days of shipment - Stringed instruments priced at $1999.00 or more. The following products cannot be returned – Clearance items, Apple products, items identified as non-returnable, discontinued items, electronic software downloads, demo gear, vintage instruments, strings, reeds, computers, tubes, earbuds, earplugs, recorders, tin whistles, flutophones, "world" wind instruments, harmonicas, raw-frame speakers, drumheads, drumsticks, turntable cartridges, fog fluid, clothing/footwear, body jewelry, sheet music, cleaners, polishes and polishing cloths, software/soundware, books, CDs, DVD's, vinyl records, and videos.The following fees apply to Band & Orchestra returns - All returned woodwind and brass instruments incur a $10.00 sanitization fee. Returned bows are assessed a $4.00 restocking fee. Returned mouthpieces over $300 incur an $8.00 sanitization fee; the fee for mouthpieces under $300 is $4.00.