Warm Audio
Warm Audio WA-2MPX Dual-Channel Tube Mic Preamp
Best tube preamp for producers seeking authentic vintage analog character.
Experience the iconic sound of vintage rock and roll with the Warm Audio WA-2MPX Dual-Channel Tube Mic Preamp. This authentic reproduction captures the signature warmth and analog tone of the most revered tape-era preamps, used by legendary artists. Featuring premium components, a true-to-original circuit design, and selectable tape saturation, the WA-2MPX delivers rich tube coloration and up to 90dB of gain. Refine your sound with built-in hi-pass and low-pass filters, making it an essential tool for achieving that sought-after analog character in modern recordings.
$1299.00
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Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
26
/ 565
#26 in Microphone Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-20%
Below average
Number of Channels
2
Who it's for
- Engineers seeking classic, harmonically rich vintage saturation
- Budget-conscious studios wanting high-end tube character
- Producers tracking stereo sources or multiple mono inputs
Who should skip it
- Engineers requiring pristine, ultra-quiet signal paths
- Recordists using low-output passive ribbon microphones
- Purists demanding hand-wired, boutique-grade component matching
Performance breakdown
Gain Headroom
Ninety decibels of gain handles even the most demanding ribbon microphones effortlessly.
Saturation Character
Selectable tape saturation adds authentic vintage grit to clean digital signals.
Build Integrity
Hand-assembled construction and custom CineMag transformers ensure long-term studio reliability.
Sonic Warmth
High-voltage tube circuitry delivers the rich harmonic depth of classic records.
Tone Shaping
Integrated filters provide essential control for cleaning up muddy low-end frequencies.
Channel Versatility
Dual-channel design offers flexible routing for stereo imaging or independent tracking.
Key Specs
Number of Channels
2
Gain
90dB
Circuit Type
Tube
Power Supply
300v of raw power
Transformers
Custom-wound USA CineMag
Build Quality
Hand-assembled with premium components
Form Factor
Rackmount
Metering Type
LED Ladder
Features
- Authentic tape-era tube preamp reproduction
- Vintage warmth and analog tone
- Selectable analog tape saturation
- 90dB of tube gain
- Hi-pass and low-pass filters
- Premium components and handwired construction
- Dual-channel versatility
- True-to-original circuit design
What customers say
The Warm Audio WA-2MPX offers authentic vintage tube sound with impressive warmth and depth, making recordings sound polished. Its dual channel design enhances versatility for stereo or simultaneous processing. High quality components like Cinemag transformers and premium tubes contribute to its classic sonic character. This preamp excels on vocals, bass, and drums, adding rich harmonics superior to standard interface preamps. Despite operating warm, its phenomenal sound and extraordinary value make the WA-2MPX a highly recommended choice for project studios seeking professional analog tone. It provides exceptional sonic performance and value.
Know before you buy
The WA-2MPX is designed to emulate the vintage, tape-era tube sound. It provides rich harmonic saturation and a thick, analog warmth that can help smooth out digital recordings.
The tape saturation is a selectable feature. You can engage it when you want to add extra grit and compression-like character to your signal, or leave it off for a cleaner, more transparent tube sound.
Yes, the 90dB of gain provides more than enough headroom to drive even the most demanding low-output ribbon or dynamic microphones without needing an external inline preamp.
The WA-2MPX is a rackmount unit measuring 19 inches wide and 3.5 inches high. Ensure your rack has enough depth to accommodate the 12.3-pound chassis and proper ventilation for the internal tubes.
The hi-pass and low-pass filters allow you to sculpt your tone at the source by removing unwanted rumble or harsh high-end frequencies. This helps clean up your signal before it ever hits your interface or DAW.
CineMag transformers are highly regarded for their ability to maintain signal integrity while adding a musical, vintage-style color to the audio. They are a key component in achieving the authentic, professional sound profile of this preamp.
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$1299