Warm Audio WA-87

Warm Audio WA-87, a directional microphone with good value for money

Many musicians and singers claim that the Warm Audio WA-87 directional microphone is a replica of the Neumann U87. I cannot confirm this to you.

However, Warm Audio wanted to design a kind of unusual microphone for studio recording. And this alternative can be easily understood knowing that the best microphones are never accessible at an affordable price.

Indeed, to buy a microphone with a good output level, you have to plan a fairly high budget. Which is not always within everyone's reach, even less for voice-over enthusiasts .

At this point, you either put aside all your savings to purchase an excellent dynamic or micro-USB mic, or you have to settle for a cheap handheld mic with an acceptable phantom power .

However, nothing beats the sound quality provided by a real branded ambient microphone . The response curve and the recording quality of the sound sources rise to a significantly higher level.

The Neumann U87 microphone is among the microphones with impressive dynamic description on the acoustic and electrostatic device market.

It offers reduced percussion and excellent sound pickup regardless of the sound environment and vibration frequencies.

However, its price remains expensive for everyone. Warm Audio then designed its Warm Audio WA-87 stereo microphone to offer you an excellent alternative to this unrivaled pro microphone .

Equipped with an amplifier, recorder, switch and gooseneck transformer, it is ideal as home studio recording equipment.

A microphone inspired by the original Neumann U87

The Neumann U87 is known as the successor to the Neumann U67 external microphone . A priori, its launch dates back to 1967, but in 1986, Neumann applied revisions to the micro-level version.

These revisions have unfortunately changed the incomparable properties of the stand microphone for capturing, mixing and condensing sounds.

In principle, the original U87 used a phantom power source to provide polarization of the captured sound waves.

Neumann modified the electrostatic design of its capsules to isolate its front and rear plates.

The resulting result returns a cleaner, more mature sound quality with well-condensed pressure levels . In high frequencies or low frequencies, this omnidirectional microphone perfectly captures any type of sound wave.

Later, the brand added a DC-DC converter inside the vocal microphone to increase the voltage to 60V. This allowed an improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio of 3 dB .

However, on the other hand, the sounds listened to from the headphones become harsher and more brittle.

Warm Audio used this change as an excuse to create a perfect copy of their original version. The Warm Audio WA-87 condenser mic can both power and amplify dynamics in the studio.

In addition, you can also consult our complete test guide and review on the Neumann TLM67 for professional vocal recording studio.

Construction of the Warm Audio WA-87 condenser microphone

Initially, Warm Audio was known as a manufacturer of recording studio outboards. Then, the brand launched into the manufacture of condenser microphones by designing its very first model: the WA-87.

At first glance, the boom mic that delivers high-level sound pressures comes in a cardboard packaging.

I also noticed the presence of a foam insert, connectors and USB cable to ensure its external power supply using an adapter. A priori, you are entitled to a mahogany wooden box.

When I opened the box, I noticed the presence of a spider that is easy to attach to a tripod or microphone stand. A screw connector is attached to the audio interface of the lavalier microphone to ensure its stability in the magnetic field.

Shape and design of the wireless lavalier microphone

The Warm Audio WA-87 pro studio microphone takes the concept and design of the Neumann U87 . In practice, you have a beveled basket which rests on a conical tube.

In order to reduce handling noise, its basketwork has a significantly larger structure and a reinforced membrane.

The analog USB microphone mainly uses toggle switches associated with its bass cut, and a pop filter. Apparently, its front panel consists of a rigid magnet capsule which hides a background noise attenuator .

I also find the brand's WA emblem, the typical signature of the manufacturer of dynamic and condenser microphones.

In general, the design of the radio microphone for picking up sounds meets the expectations of sound professionals. All its walls seem to resist strong shocks, guaranteeing it shockproof and versatile recording equipment.

Zoom on the elements of the WA-87 capsule from Warm Audio

On the market, I find hundreds of replicas of the Neumann U87 wireless microphone. But the Warm Audio WA-87 is probably the closest to the original with the Mic&Mod U87 .

In front of a microphone of this type, I can only notice its dual-diaphragm stereo capsule A priori, it is designed with a ribbon membrane , and made of quality acoustic element.

The WA-87 studio microphone is manufactured in China to minimize production costs. Apparently, Warm Audio collaborated with Lens Condensator on the design of the microphone input capsule.

This is an Australian company expert in creating materials and equipment for recording vocals and acoustic instruments.

So, although the Warm Audio WA-87 is the brand's first official condenser microphone , the latter reflects impeccable quality. However, this remark on its vocal recording quality applies especially to the various studio recordings.

For capturing live soundtracks, I still notice some nuances of bidirectional magnetic background.

Treble and bass sound great without a pop filter with this mic. This is notably due to the presence of a Cinemag USA transformer .

This is a high-performance integrated circuit to obtain a frequency response faithful to the original sounds and in monitoring.

Note : You can also discover our top ribbon microphones . This guide suggests the best ribbon microphones to choose for your voice recording studio.

Warm Audio WA-87, a microphone with cardioid, omni and figure-8 polar patterns

To impress professional singers and musicians, Warm Audio had to offer much more than simple sound directionality.

With the Warm Audio WA-87 microphone, I benefit from three kinds of frequency diagrams engaged by the preamp.

In principle, in front of the Warm Audio WA-87 condenser microphones, you can choose between three types of polar pattern: cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8.

Cardioid polar pattern

The cardioid directivity accentuates the capture of vibrations in the direction of the axis of the microphone. In fact, the sensitivity of the microphone is most accentuated in a heart-shaped area at the front of its entrance.

I subsequently observe a high proximity effect for any sound source located in this sound environment.

The WA-87 lavalier microphone is therefore just as efficient as a Blue Yeti or a Rode NT USB for capturing forward sounds.

Indeed, in cardioid mode, its moving coil captures any low or high acoustic pressure , then transforms them into an electrical signal.

The voltage of the device is mainly concentrated around the sounds of an acoustic guitar for example. 

Omnidirectional directivity

In “omnidirectional” , the studio microphone captures the bandwidth under the same level of pressure. This directivity considers all voice waves the same way.

So no matter how far away the source is from the micro level, you always get the same results. This alternative is particularly suitable for live recordings , in the middle of a large crowd.

And by providing an external sound card, the Warm Audio WA-87 is able to amplify the dynamics with its speaker . Just make sure you plug it into a mixer that delivers 48 volts of phantom power.

Figure-8 directivity

The figure-8 directivity considers both the sound pressures in front and behind the heart-shaped mic.

Thus, just like the cardioid mode, the sensitivity of the microphone increases in areas close to the capsules.

The side noises subside. This function is particularly essential for making a vocal recording in a home studio .

The sound quality of the Warm Audio WA-87 microphone

Just like the Neumann and Blue condenser microphones , the Warm Audio WA-87 delivers high-level sound quality. This quality obviously depends on the directionality considered and your podcast needs.

In any case, the sound pressure it offers is estimated at 132 dB with a signal/noise ratio of 117 dB .

In addition, it is equipped with an 80 Hz high-pass filter which ensures the stability of its response curve, regardless of the mode chosen. As for the frequency response, it varies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz .

Technical characteristics of the Warm Audio WA-87

• Type: condenser microphone
• Polar pattern: cardioid, figure-8, omnidirectional
• Transformer Cinemag USA
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• SPL: 132 dB
• High pass filter: 80 Hz
• Signal-to-noise ratio: -117 dB
• Output: 150 ohms
• Pad: -10 dB
• Color: Nickel

Our opinion on the Warm Audio WA-87 microphone

The Warm Audio WA-87 condenser microphone is largely inspired by the concept of the Neumann U87. With its three types of diagram, it allows you to make home studio recordings that meet your expectations.

Warm Audio WA-87 Demo

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