Warm Audio WA251 Tube Condenser Microphone

The legendary ‘251 microphone sound that shaped countless hit records over five decades is now accessible to a new generation of recording artists through the WA-251. This all vacuum tube, large diaphragm condenser microphone faithfully recreates the classic design that became the gold standard for vocal recording in the 1960s. Warm Audio spent considerable time analysing various ‘251 microphones to understand their sonic characteristics and component interactions, creating a signature sound that honours the vintage original while establishing its own identity.

Built for professional studios, home recording setups, live performance, and broadcast applications, the WA-251 excels across vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, piano, strings, brass, woodwinds, and numerous other sources. The microphone features multi-pattern capability with transformer balanced output, making it incredibly versatile for any recording situation where that classic condenser sound is desired.

At the heart of the WA-251 sits the WA-12-B-60V capsule, an all-brass, edge-terminated design that captures the smoothness and warm vintage sonics of the original CK12. Using a variant CEK-12 back plate to overcome original manufacturing limitations, this capsule features brass construction throughout with a 24k gold sputtered 6 micron diaphragm made from NOS PET film. The result matches both the frequency response and tonal character of the classic 1970s capsule with improved consistency and reliability.

Premium components define the WA-251’s construction, including an American-made CineMag USA transformer that provides the present top end and substantial bottom end characteristic of 251-style microphones. A carefully selected Slovak Republic JJ 12AY7 vacuum tube contributes smooth, vintage-natured frequency response, while polystyrene coupling capacitors, Wima film capacitors, and an imported Solen French output capacitor complete the signal path. The included Gotham Audio GAC-7 cable from Switzerland represents a significant upgrade, with high-end shielding and wire gauge that reduces phase shift and parasitic effects, increasing top end presence and stereo field imaging.