Warm Audio WA-MPX
The Warm Audio WA-MPX is an authentic reproduction of the vintage tape machine tube preamplifier that stood at the cradle of rock ‘n’ roll. Known for its pure analog warmth, it delivers an impressive 300v of power and 90dB of tube amplification. During the golden age of tape recording, the original 351-style tube preamplifier became the king of studio technology and the signature sound in the signal chain of hit recordings for artists such as Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, Les Paul, Nat King Cole and Roy Orbison and producers such as Steve Albini-a timeless sound still pursued by elite audio engineers.
With premium components, an original circuit design and selectable band saturation, the WA-MPX authentically reproduces the analog tone of the original to bring vintage warmth and color to your sound
The WA-MPX preamplifiers are hand-wired with 100% discrete electronics. Each channel has three tubes that, with the high gain switch engaged, bring the WA-MPX to an incredible 90dB of gain. Each channel has specially wound CineMag transformers with a large core at the inputs and outputs, allowing each preamplifier circuit to reach 300 V. Warm Audio WA-MPX preamplifiers are housed in a steel chassis with a brushed aluminum front panel, vintage-style bakelite knobs and amber VU meters.
All these key components combined with traditional construction techniques yield not only a legendary tube preamplifier from the “tape era,” but also one of the best values for a tube microphone preamplifier currently on the market. All WA-MPXs are carefully hand checked and tested at Warm Audio Headquarters in Austin, Texas.
A Tube-Based Tone-Shaping Workstation
The Warm Audio WA-MPX is a premium tube microphone preamp and delivers a wide range of analog tones; from clean volume while maintaining clarity for quieter sources to richer distortion that can be driven louder when the tubes are brought to saturation.
The WA-MPX has a range of critical controls that meet the demands of everyday professional audio use, including input impedance switching, +48v, polarity inversion and input/output gain. In addition to the 80Hz hi-pass filter that can help tame unwanted bass frequencies, the WA-MPX also includes a 2kHz low-pass filter to shave away excess treble for a more vintage sound profile.
The classic Warm Audio “tone” control changes the input transformer impedance for additional analog color. A “high gain” control activates an additional 20dB of tube gain to bring the WA-MPX up to 90dB – very useful on lower output dynamic and ribbon microphones.
Finally, the WA-MPX’s Tape Saturation control engages a discrete circuit in the signal path that adds natural compression, harmonic distortion and directional tone filtering to mimic the sound of tape machines at 15IPS.
The Warm Audio WA-MPX is much more than just a preamp with the feel of analog tape, it is a perfectly customizable and extremely powerful tube microphone preamp.
