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Warm Audio WA-412 4-channel Microphone Preamp

4-channel Mic Preamp/DI with Fully Discrete, Transformer-coupled, Through-hole Component Topology; 20dB Pad, Phantom Power, LED Metering, and Output Trim Per Channel
Warm Audio WA-412 4-channel Microphone Preamp
$1,399.00
36 months
Special Financing – Ends Sep 30, 2025
$39/month with 36 month financing*
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Warm Audio WA-412 4-channel Microphone Preamp
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$1,399.00
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This article was Written By

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Classic Console Preamp Sound

The Warm Audio WA-412 delivers the vintage magic of a venerable American console preamp. With its fat, punchy bass and sweet, open high end, the 4-channel WA-412 preamp/DI packs the classic sound of rock 'n' roll into a sleek 1RU chassis. Warm Audio gear has famously upset the pro audio price/performance ratio, and the WA-412 carries on the tradition with its discrete, transformer-coupled through-hole component topology. Stellar performance, top-shelf parts, and amazing value: that's the Warm formula - and the WA-412 nails it.

Warm Audio WA-412 4-channel Microphone Preamp at a Glance:
  • What can the WA-412 do for you?
  • Quality components make the Warm difference
What can the WA-412 do for you?

Need to record dynamic, impactful drums? With a pair of WA-412s, you could track a full multi-miked drum kit. Pack your rack with four of them, and you've got a console's worth of killer preamps to track the entire band. The WA-412 supplies all the features you need. Warm Audio started with their take on a classic schematic. Then they added an output trim to each channel for exacting control and creative gain staging. Another modern innovation is the Tone switch on each channel, which switches transformer input impedance to give you the choice between punchy vintage console tone and a more neutral, open sound.

Quality components make the Warm difference

You know if your front end's not right, the rest of your signal chain doesn't matter. Most pro engineers have laid down heavy cash for a top-quality mic preamp; it was simply the cost of entry for world-class sonics. Now, at Sweetwater, we're all about performance and value, and Warm Audio has upended that equation. The company doesn't cut corners on components, but they do order parts and build in quantity, which keeps costs down and delivers amazing value. Each channel of the WA-412 features a fully discrete, socketed op-amp (yes - it's swappable with other op-amps) with high headroom and low distortion - a defining sonic characteristic of these vintage console pres. Custom vintage-wound Altran USA transformers also contribute to the authoritative sound of the WA-412.

Warm Audio WA-412 4-channel Microphone Preamp/DI Features:
  • Based on a classic American console preamp design known for its punchy, bold sonics
  • Fully discrete, transformer-coupled, through-hole component topology
  • Custom-wound, premium Altran USA input and output transformers on each channel
  • Discrete X520 socketed op-amp on every channel
    • May be user-swapped with most 6-pin, discrete op-amps
  • 65db of gain; 20dB pad (pads both mic and instrument inputs)
  • Inputs: microphone (XLR), active instrument direct-injection (1/4")
  • Outputs: transformer-balanced XLR and TRS.
  • Tone button - switches input impedance from 600 ohms to 150 ohms
    • Changes tone of both mic and DI inputs
  • Phantom power (+48 volts), switchable per channel
  • LED metering per channel
  • Output trim knob per channel for exacting level control and sound sculpting
  • Internal power supply (grounded, 3-pin IEC power cable)
Seriously upgrade your studio with the Warm Audio WA-412!

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Tech Specs

  • Preamp Type: Solid State
  • Number of Channels: 4
  • Phantom Power: Yes
  • Analog Inputs: 4 x XLR (mic), 4 x 1/4" (Hi-Z)
  • Analog Outputs: 4 x XLR, 4 x 1/4"
  • Rack Spaces: 1U
  • Manufacturer Part Number: WA-412

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Reviews

Rated 5/5
A game changer for all sources
I now have over 6 months using this unit, and I am beyond happy! Everything I've put through this sounds punchy and full with any of the upper harmonic distortion that can sound harsh. At this point I've tracked everything through this… vocals, drums, acoustic guitars, synths, you name it. The input and output knobs allow great flexibility on the level of drive. I have noticed the preamps are HOT, meaning even with pads turned on the preamp and mic, and TONE off, I'm still pushing the preamp in some situations. But even when the LED meter is in the red, I'm not hearing any unpleasant distortion. I own a pair of API 512 which get used any time I'm tracking many channels at once like drums. The 512 is similar, but I defer to the 412 when tracking 4 channels or less, and plan on grabbing at least one or two more 412 units. The sound is fairly neutral when not driven (but never crystal clear clean), and more punchy when pushed, so very flexibility on all sources.
Rated 5/5
The 4 Channel “Punchy Swiss Army Knife” Mic Pre
If you are looking for a do it all, sounds amazing with any source, 4 channel mic pre unit, the Warm Audio WA-412 is my absolute choice! It sounds so clean and punchy. Really lets your tracks sit well in the mix. It's a Swiss Army knife because you can get clean mic pre tone when you need it. But anlso its by utilizing each channels output trims, you can really drive the input trim and then lower your output trim to get cool grit. And for extra bonus, add the "tone" switch in to get some additional transformer vibe! I couldn't be happier with this purchase. This with my Warm Audio WA273 give me all the mic pre tones I'm looking for to make my tracks sit well in the mix, right off the bat. If you're looking to get some analog goodness into your mix and want to stretch outside the daw "box". The WA-412 is the best bang for the buck. Well worth the investment.
Music background: Song Writer, Gigging Musician
Rated 5/5
Awesome for guitars and drums!
We're using two of these, a Tone Beast and 5 WA-73 EQ.
The best setup we ever had.
Rated 5/5
A BEAST OF MANY COLORS ;-)
With a Focusrite 8PreX as my "console" and 2 Chameleon Labs Channel Strips as my primary input channels, my Home Studio was clearly Neve-ish going into Cubase Pro. However, I just recently changed that, up, with the purchase of a Warm Audio WA-412, end of 2020. My first trial using the "412" was recording acoustic guitar using my pair of WA-14 LDCs. The sound was somewhere between "Sparky" and "Spanky" but without any harshness. Amazing to say the least. Longer story, short, the WA-412 is clearly a "Beast" that provides me with many more tonal options just in itself and I am very pleased (again) with my purchase from Sweetwater.
Music background: Former Orchestral and AFofM Freelance Trombonist, FOH Sound Engineer and Bassist.
Rated 5/5
API preamp flavor
Great on drums, guitars
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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?
Aaron Rom
I recently used the Warm Audio WA412 to track some drums. I was really impressed with the clarity and punch I was able to get out of my toms. I use both dynamic mics and condensers on my toms with the WA412, and it handled them with ease. This is a great piece of gear to add to your setup if you're looking for additional preamps without breaking your budget.