Warm Audio
Warm Audio WA-44
Passive ribbon, figure-8; a recreation of the RCA 44 (44-BX), with a long 2.5 µm aluminium ribbon, neodymium magnet and CineMag transformer
Power None (passive); phantom power unnecessary and to be avoided. Switch phantom power off before you plug it in: a faulty cable can damage the ribbon.
- Type
- Ribbon
- Pattern
- Figure-8
- Max SPL
- 140 dB SPL
- Among 29 ribbons: takes louder sound than 54%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 56%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 28 side-address ribbons
Takes louder sound than 52% of 28 side-address ribbons.
Each stripe is one side-address ribbon with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the graph figure 8.
Product-page chart without a title or measuring conditions; dB axis labelled -30dB to -60dB with no reference.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 99.1% aluminium ribbon, 2.5 µm thick, 4.7 × 59.7 mm, made in Japan; neodymium magnet"99.1% Aluminum, 2.5-Micron thick Ribbon (4.7mm x 59.7mm)"; "custom-crafted in Japan" (p. 5); "Powerful Neodymium Magnet". | p. 7 |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPL"Max SPL: 140dB"; no condition given. | |
| Output impedance | 270 ohm"Output Impedance: 270 ohms". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz±12 dB. "Frequency Response: 20 Hz-20 kHz (+/- 12db)". | |
| Powering | none (passive); phantom power unnecessary and to be avoided"The WA-44 does not need phantom power to operate"; the transformer gave some protection against 48 V in tests, "applying 48v to the WA-44 is unnecessary and should be avoided". | p. 6 |
| Connector | pigtail cable with XLR-3 male (Gotham star-quad cable)"Pigtail XLR Gotham Cable With Star Quad Shielding". | p. 7 |
| Weight | 2812 g"Weight: 6.2 lbs"; the French and Spanish lists give "2.812 kg". | |
| Dimensions | 317.5 × 120.65 × 68.5 mm"L: 12.5” | W: 4.75” | D: 2.7”"; the French and Spanish lists give "L: 31.75 cm | W: 12.065 cm | D: 6.85 cm" (length × width × depth). | |
| Supplied accessories | 3/8" stand adapter; embroidered microphone sock; embroidered case"Included Accessories: 3/8” Mic Stand Adapter, Embroidered Microphone “Sock”, Embroidered Microphone Case". | |
| Transformer | Custom CineMag (USA) | |
| Preamp gainWarm Audio | At least 65 dB of gain recommended; or a Warm Lifter for 26 dB more | p. 6 |
Documents
- WA-44 Studio Ribbon Microphone manual
- Warm Audio WA-44product page
- WA-44 frequency chart, figure-8product page graph image
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.