Warm Audio WA-47jr Microphone Overview
First and foremost, the Warm Audio WA-47jr is a modified version of the WA-47 handheld mic. It also retains some similarities with the Warm Audio WA-87 , a condenser microphone.
This is the best pro microphone , widely used in the 1950s. Thus, most records sold at the time used this vocal microphone to record vocals and capture sounds .
For a long time, the WA-47 was appreciated for the sound quality it provides and its way of capturing vibrations.
It then transforms them into an electrical, electrostatic and acoustic signal using an anti-pop filter. The captured bandwidth remains in a stable, high-output stereo range.
Later, Warm Audio returned to the design of its little gem in order to offer more versatile recording equipment . He then designed the WA-47jr, a junior model of the WA-47, but without a FET vocal transformer.
Indeed, one of the most glaring differences between these two tape bias recording tools is the absence of a converter.
The Warm Audio WA-47jr does not need more internal elements to provide exemplary vocal pickup . A priori, he can rely on the functions of his recorder, amplifier, switch, adapter and connectors.
The acoustic pressures it captures are done using a tripolar diaphragm which eliminates handling noise as best as possible.
In front of a Warm Audio WA-47jr microphone, I have the impression of standing in front of the most essential professional microphones on the market such as the Sennheiser MK4 pro microphone , the Manley Reference Cardioid, or the Audio-Technica AT2035.
Capturing, mixing and condensing sound sources , it can manage any vibration thanks to its cardioid, omnidirectional and figure-8 directivity.
Besides, beginners and voice-over singers probably admire him for the pressure levels he projects.
At high frequencies and/or low frequencies, its audio interface remains an excellent studio recording support for different sound waves .
An Australian-made capsule lapel microphone
For years, major brands of dynamic, condenser and micro-USB microphones faced a significant challenge. It was difficult for them to come up with excellent studio equipment offered at good value for money.
Often, condenser microphones and condenser microphones designed are not accessible to everyone's budget.
Musicians must then choose between wireless microphone like Shure Motiv MV5, and an affordable ambient microphone, but with less developed functions.
For its part, Warm Audio has carried out in-depth reflection on the subject. And after many years of research carried out by a sound engineer, the brand came up with the WA-47jr.
Indeed, the directional microphone is the result of several years of research.
Made in Australia , its capsules have the characteristics long awaited in a professional studio boom microphone .
Additionally, it is available at a relatively low price compared to that of the original WA-47. But how does this happen?
Well, this huge price difference is explained by the new policy developed by Warm Audio. The brand now wants to create the membrane for the capsules of its condenser microphones in a small assembly house.
This alternative aims in particular to reduce manufacturing costs while benefiting from an excellent studio microphone . Since then, she has designed a type of condenser microphone with little proximity effect, more efficient, but above all more affordable.
Careful manufacturing in the workshop
The Warm Audio WA-47jr is manufactured in a small factory owned by the brand. It goes through a long, careful manufacturing process inspected by meticulous workers.
A priori, each capsule, voice coil, connector and magnet undergoes tests with electric current before installing the case.
This is intended to correct all imperfections and percussion before the external microphone is released to the market.
In the end, I benefit from an excellent condenser condenser microphone with neat, metallic, robust and solid brass parts.
By the way, you can also check out our complete guide to the Shure SM7B mic . This guide offers you a complete test of this dynamic microphone, as well as its configuration, reviews of the microphone and its characteristics.
Focus on the build quality of the Warm Audio WA-47jr
In principle, the Warm Audio WA-47jr takes the custom k47 type capsule from the WA-47 . I expected it well. So I end up with a similar sound pattern and same frequency response range.
In practice, both types of directional microphone are designed with a WA-47-B-80V capsule.
Taking stock of the design of the microphone, I notice a neat and polished build quality. This version of the wireless lavalier microphone gives it a more elegant appearance while remaining on a robust base.
Moreover, in addition to its aesthetic advantages, this design largely influences the sound recording quality of the Warm Audio WA-47jr.
Indeed, the brand was able to choose a more robust type of capsule to perfect any studio recording technique .
This type of microphone uses an outstanding Toshiba FET circuit and Wima film capacitors. The stand microphone also uses Panasonic acoustic and electrostatic capacitors.
In all, it has a modernized, more efficient circuit to fuel the dynamics and amplify the dynamics. Paired with acoustic instruments like an acoustic guitar, it provides a better tone response curve.
I even invite you to plug in your headphones to appreciate the quality of the sounds it provides in the studio or live.
In a gooseneck design, its attenuator and pop filter removes interference and background noise from the magnetic field.
In short, the capture and amplification of your sound source remains appreciable in itself. In the end, buying a Warm Audio WA-47jr microphone means enjoying good tone under three frequency diagrams at a competitive price.
The sound details of the Warm Audio WA-47jr microphone
This question crossed my mind. the absence of a FET transformer and the technologies associated with this change influence the sound quality of the WA-47jr?
In response, Warm Audio emphasizes the fact that this transformation does not change the quality of the vocal recording in the studio.
In addition, it even goes so far as to claim much better capture of the sounds of your dynamic instrument.
I still wanted to check it by carrying out a quick comparison of a few USB and condenser microphone models.
At first glance, I was obviously interested in the WA-47, but not only that. Indeed, I compared it with the sound performance :
- From the Rode NT USB microphone : A micro-USB considered to have excellent value for money.
- The Blue Yeti USB microphone : A simple, practical and functional microphone with significantly superior connectivity thanks to its USB device
- Neumann U67 condenser microphone : The essential studio equipment that features three selectable polar patterns and advanced tube circuitry.
The results are simply shocking. The Warm Audio WA-47jr sounds similar to these other mics.
Better yet, most of these normal impedance microphones offer a single polar pattern: cardioid. The WA-47jr offers three different types of response curve: cardio, omni and figure-8.
In practice, I see better consideration of acoustic and analog pressure with or without filter. However, in all cases, you need a monitoring mixer as an external power supply.
More specifically, you need a 48 Volt phantom power supply to use it properly as recording equipment .
What about the pressure level?
A priori, with phantom power, the Warm Audio WA-47jr professional microphone can capture high-level acoustic pressures. It is able to consider a sound source of 157 dB at an SPL of 0.5% THD + N.
A slight attenuation of 10 dB is noted at this level. At 9 dB (A), the microphone sensitivity drops to 9 dB.
Moreover, the presence of a high-pass filter with a cutoff frequency of 70 Hz attenuates the defects in the guitar preamp.
Shockproof, it can connect to all kinds of dynamic instruments supported by an external sound card.
In the recording studio, this type of stereo microphone is widely appreciated by podcast and voice-over enthusiasts.
A great tube microphone
I also want to draw your attention to the saturation quality of the Warm Audio WA-47jr. For me, this is probably the tube mic
I have tested it several times and each time I get an excellent sound level from my guitar amp.
In home studio or live , the USB microphone enriches the electrical signal it produces with accurate and precise notes. By listening on headphones, I even notice a clear improvement in my voice and that of my instruments.
A priori, this improvement is explained by the presence of an integrated speaker and a solid capacitor coil inside.
The assembly of these various elements makes it capable of supporting different studio recordings.
It is also an excellent omnidirectional live microphone . So you can take the mic in front of a large audience and use it as a singing mic. I assure you, it will not disappoint you.
Warm Audio WA-47jr, a cardio, omni and figure-8 microphone
All the qualities and sound performances of the Warm Audio WA-47jr can be explained by its tripolarity. Indeed, in addition to the cardio diagram, your WA-47jr radio microphone can pick up figure-8 or omni sounds.
Figure-8 pickup is used to capture sounds behind the microphone while rejecting noise to the side. This option is widely sought after during group and duo recordings .
It is commonly called a "bidirectional pattern", because the microphone considers two sound source areas.
As for the omnidirectional mode, it is used during live recordings in an expanded sound environment. Compared to the first two types of diagram , it considers sound sources in the same way.
Thus, it does not reject noise aside. Cardio, omni or figure-8, you are free to modify the characteristics of your Warm Audio WA-47jr condenser microphone.
Small note : Also discover our complete guide to the Sennheiser MKH 416 microphone . This guide offers you a complete test, review, and demo on the use of this condenser microphone.
Technical characteristics of the Warm Audio WA-47jr
- Type: Condenser microphone without FET transformer
- Capsule: k47 style
- Polar pattern: cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8
- High Pass Filter: 70 Hz
- Dynamic Range: 138 dB
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
- Sensitivity: -40 dB
- Output impedance: 100 Ohms
- Signal/noise ratio: 147/157 dB
- Dimensions: 21 x 5.2 cm
- Pack: 1 microphone + 1 shockmount + 1 rigid support + 1 storage pouch
Our Overall Opinion
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Our opinion on the Warm Audio WA-47jr microphone
In short, the Warm Audio WA-47jr remains one of the best condenser microphones with good value for money. Instead of a functional FET transformer, it relies instead on different frequency diagrams. Omni, cardio and figure-8, you can use it in the recording studio as well as live as an ambient microphone.
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