Warm Audio WACX12 Tube Studio Condenser Microphone

The WA-CX12 is a faithful recreation of the most natural and balanced tube mic of all time, lauded for its organic tone and pleasing top end. The original AKG C12 was produced in Austria from 1953 - 1963 and is the definitive version of the 12-style mic. The WA-CX12 sound profile and circuit design is inspired by the original production run of only 2500 mics, which are highly coveted for their ability to capture the natural beauty of vocal performances, room sounds, and other far miking techniques. The list of famous recording artists who have never used a 12-style microphone is likely shorter than the list of those who have. Some of the most notable artists to create music with the original include The Beatles, Lupe Fiasco, Tom Petty, Michael Jackson, Alanis Morrissette, and Taylor Swift, just to name a few. The WA-CX12 cuts no corners in achieving the highly coveted open, airy, and natural sound profile used over and over again by some of the world’s most recognised engineers and artists.

The WA-CX12 is a professional large-diaphragm tube microphone with premium components, elite build quality, and is hand-inspected in Austin, Texas. The circuit design of the WA-CX12 is faithful to the original production run from 1953-1963, and serves as the basis for the historically accurate sound profile. Like the original, the WA-CX12 tone is mostly flat until a slight dip at 2kHz with a gradual boost between 5-10kHz. At the beginning of the chain, the CX12 has an edge-terminated, all-brass CK12-style capsule, that stays true to the frequency response of the original-run 12-style microphones. This capsule allows the WA-CX12 to have 9 polar patterns with the typical cardioid, omni, and figure-8, in addition to 6 intermediate patterns. . Moving down from the capsule, the WA-CX12 uses a premium 12AY7 vacuum tube for added warmth. At the end of the circuit, the WA-CX12 uses a custom TAB-Funkenwerk (AMI) USA Output Transformer, which gives the WA-CX12 a very full, wide, and open sound, getting the most out of the capsule and additional circuit components. The WA-CX12 has premium capacitors throughout, and a no-solder mask board for the lowest noise possible. As with all Warm Audio products, they've focus heavily on quality components to ensure they release the best sounding product possible.

The WA-CX12 sound profile is known for capturing the real sound of a performance. Designed to provide clarity in the midrange and smooth out any high end harshness, the WA-CX12 delivers professional solo vocals, intricate piano performances, and epic, natural room sounds. The gently tuned 5-10kHz boost of the WA-CX12 accentuates and smoothes out the upper register in many vocal performances. One of the more popular studio uses for the original 12-style microphone is as a stereo pair on grand piano. Because of the mic’s relatively flat frequency at 0dB until the top-end boost kicks in, the WA-CX12 adds just the right amount of pristine high end to a piano performance. Whether it’s room reflections, splashy cymbals, or guitar & bass cabinets - mixing in a distant WA-CX12 can bring a natural “live” sound to professional recordings.

The WA-12-B-60V CK12-style capsule accurately matches the frequency response of the original capsule found in vintage C12 mics. This capsule captures incredible detail across the 30Hz-20kHz frequency response. With a remarkably flat response until the top-end boost starts to hit around 3k, the capsule inside the WA-CX12 will help you capture natural sounds with some added top-end smoothness before the pleasant 19kHz rolloff. The WA-CX12 uses a premium 12AY7 vacuum tube that adds warmth and depth to the microphone’s signal. Like all Warm Audio products, premium capacitors are used in the circuit for ideal signal transfer. The PCB board in the WA-CX12 does not have solder masks which allows for the lowest noise floor possible, preventing crosstalk from added capacitance. The history of TAB-Funkenwerk (AMI) transformers goes all the way back to the founding of the most sought-after German analog audio innovations. The TAB (AMI) transformer in the WA-CX12 is American-made with large-core German laminations and built to exacting standards as designed by Oliver Archut. The custom transformer drives the full natural sound captured by the capsule delivering that renowned Austrian sound. The WA-CX12 is encased in an ultra-durable nickel-plated brass body. Every WA-CX12 comes with a custom tweed carrying case housing the mic, wood mic case, premium Gotham 7-pin cable, IEC cable, shockmount, and external power supply. Every WA-CX12 is meticulously hand-inspected at Warm HQ in Austin,TX by real musicians and engineers with a passion for superior sound.

Features

• Custom Edge Terminated, All-Brass Vintage CK12-Style Capsule
• Custom TAB-Funkenwerk (AMI) USA Output Transformer
• Premium 12AY7 Vacuum Tube
• Premium Capacitors
• Polar Patterns: 9 Patterns - Cardioid, Omnidirectional, Figure-8, + 6 additional mixed patterns
• Max SPL: 149dB
• Frequency Response: 30Hz-20kHz
• Output Impedance: 200 Ohms
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio: 73dB
• EIN / Self-Noise: 32dBA
• Total Weight: 17 Lbs, Mic Only: 2lbs 7oz
• Mic Dimensions: 11 ⅝” x 2” (29.5cm x 5cm)
• Includes Custom Tweed Carrying Case, External IEC Grounded PSU, IEC Power Cable, Premium Gotham 5 Meter 7-Pin Tube Microphone Cable, Wood Microphone Box, Shockmount