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Warm Audio WA-CX12 Tube Condenser Microphone

Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone with 9 Polar Patterns, Premium Tube, and 7-pin GAC-7 Cable
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Item ID: WACX12
Warm Audio WA-CX12 Tube Condenser Microphone
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Price:$999 and 00 cents
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Warm Audio WA-CX12 Tube Condenser Microphone
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Vintage Sound at a Vintage Price

Warm Audio continues their mission of reverse-engineering some history’s most renowned microphones with their WA-CX12 tube condenser microphone. The CK12-style custom, solid brass capsule houses premier electronics to rival its namesake’s glassy highs and boisterous midrange, producing a natural, balanced tone. With nine polar patterns, a 12AY7 tube, and boutique 7-pin GAC-7 tube cable, this high-powered mic is capable of handling just about anything you can throw at it, especially if you consider its high-SPL handling and frequency response range. Sweetwater’s pro audio gurus can confirm: if you’re looking for a robust all-around mic that doesn’t sacrifice quality for quantity, then the WA-CX12 is an obvious choice.

Versatile configuration, no hassle

The WA-CX12 is inspired by an ability to capture sound in a natural, airy manner — presence, not just substance. Want two voices on one mic? Figure-8. Hyper-precise, punchy drums? Cardioid. Ambient, lush piano? Omnidirectional. With a total of 9 polar pattern configuration options (including numerous in-between and mixed choices), you’ll never be short on recording arrangements. The custom edge-terminated capsule affords a versatility to this mic that can heighten recording possibilities to maximize flexibility while retaining a consistent recording nature.

Robust responsiveness

A max SPL of 149dB is already impressive, but a frequency response range of 30Hz to 20kHz, as well? Now we’re talking range. The dual-backplate design increases microphone sensitivity and frequency response, allowing for a nuanced capture of sounds at most registers, while maintaining a flatter midrange, leading to the unique vibrance of the middle frequencies. A premium 12AY7 tube connects to a boutique 7-pin GAC-7 tube cable from Gotham Audio. A professionally low 200 ohms of output impedance is attained, in part, due to the external IEC-grounded PSU. Encapsulated in an all-brass vintage housing, the WA-CX12 is a multi-purpose workhorse with the ability to capture classic sounds.

Warm Audio WA-CX12 Tube Condenser Microphone Features:

  • Custom edge-terminated, dual-backplate, all-brass vintage CK12-style capsule for era-accurate design
  • Custom TAB-Funkenwerk (AMI) USA output transformer provides reliable signal balance
  • Premium 12AY7 vacuum tube contributes active power for signal boost while keeping impedance consistently low
  • Five-meter boutique 7-pin GAC-7 tube cable (from Gotham Audio) supplies dependable power from external IEC-grounded PSU
  • 9 total polar patterns mean versatile configure options for recording
  • Frequency response range of 30Hz–20kHz permits accurate capture of numerous instruments
  • Max SPL of 149dB
  • Output impedance of 200 ohms
  • Total weight: 17lbs/7.71kg, Microphone only: 2lbs 7oz/1.11 kg

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Tube Condenser
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Figure-8, Omnidirectional (continuously variable)
  • Frequency Response: 30Hz-20kHz
  • Max SPL: 149dB SPL
  • Output Impedance: 200 ohms
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 73dB A weighted
  • Self Noise: 22dB A weighted
  • Tube: 12AY7
  • Color: Silver
  • Power Source: External power supply
  • Dimensions: 11.61" x 1.96"
  • Weight: 2.43 lbs.
  • Included Accessories: Custom Tweed Carrying Case, External IEC Grounded PSU, IEC Power Cable, Premium Gotham 5 Meter 7-Pin Tube Microphone Cable, Wood
  • Manufacturer Part Number: WA-CX12

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Reviews

Great warm sound
This is a great sounding tube mic! The tube gives you a very thick and rich sound. Great for thickening up a thinner female vocal. Build quality is great, and the components all feel nice and heavy. Comes with an awesome case, external power supply, and multi pin cable for the mic. If you want to hear how it sounds before you buy, check out my demo video!
Music background: Producer and composer
Incredible Vocal Mic !
I have had this Mic for several months and just started tracking vocals on a 20 song project. Depending on proximity I can get this mic to produce smooth low end, pleasing midrange and un-comparable top end to any sub $2000 microphone I've ever used in the studio.

Because the tracks differ (rock, pop country, ballad ) and I was so pleased with the WA CX12 I recently purchased the WA U47 at a Warm Audio studio open house a few weeks back. After demoing the 47 it gave me an entirely different smoothness and warmth in the low end than the CX12 without having to "work the mic". In fact with the 47 I need to back off a bit and it gives me the warm butter sound Im looking for on some of the ballad tracks.

Splitting the middle I am actually tracking vocals with BOTH Mics simultaneously zip tied together with the diaphragms at equal height, slightly off plane and I am getting two lead vocals with very different character for the price of ONE performance. Have done 5 tracks so far VERY pleased and NO phase issues !

Vocals all routed thru Pro MPA II, NO compression and NO EQ. Ill add comp, eq and other in post as needed but what I have on tape right now far surpasses ANYTHING Ive ever tracked dating back 30 years. If I had to advise buy BOTH if you can. If you cant, get the CX12 for Pop/Rock and WA47 if your working on ballads, R&B/Hip hop

Glen Davis Georgetown, TX
Music background: Singer Songwriter/Engineer/Producer
Best sounding mic for the value!
I got this mic a few weeks ago, and have been blown away. I used it in 5 sessions back to back and I can honestly say, the more you use it the better it sounds. It's my go to for any type of vocals!
Warm CX12
After trying a Warm WA-47 and being very impressed with how well it performed and how it held it's own with lots of our more high end mics - Neumanns, Manley, Telefunken, Wunder Audio, etc., we decided to give the CX12 a try. We've had it now for about 8 months and tried it on all the usual suspects. And while it doesn't sound exactly like an original AKG C-12 and you can't expect it to, it performs very well on all sources and we like it a lot !
We enjoyed it as a momo overhead on drums and a pair would probably sound mighty sweet. Still looking forward to hearing it on a strong female vocal, where I feel it will really shine. Liking these Warm Mics and now interested in their new CX24 stereo version. It seems that for the price their mics are hard to beat.
Music background: Lifetime musician, Studio Owner- WonderDog Sounds, Producer, Engineer
BETTER IN PAIRS
I bought a pair of these when they were on sale and they don't disappoint in any way. The carrying case for each mic helps keep all the parts together. These feel very high in quality and solid in your hand, not at all similar to any Apex model. This microphone sounds great, very balanced and smooth tone overall. I wish I had one of these back in the 1970's, it blows away typical home studio microphones from that era.

I have a couple of very pricey boutique tube microphones and honestly, you could not pick out one of them from these CX12 from Warm Audio on recorded vocal tracks. These Warm Audio mic's have a very neutral color so the EQ in your DAW is more useful than ever; the microphones sound great on everything and you can color it to be whatever you want, very versatile. I wish the FET models sounded this good because it would be nice to ditch the outboard power supply.

I wish Warm Audio would make a WA-49, until them I'll be loving the CX-12's

Good Music To You
Music background: Retired, loving life and my wife