Warm Audio WA-MPX

3

1-Channel Microphone and Instrument Preamp

  • Fully discrete, hand-built design with 3 tubes per channel
  • Tape saturation adds harmonic distortion and compression
  • 90 dB gain
  • CineMag USA transformers
  • High quality (2x) 12AX7 and (1x) 12AU7 vacuum tubes
  • High Gain control activates the third tube in the circuit for an additional 20 dB (from 70 dB to 90 dB)
  • 48 V phantom power and polarity switch
  • "Tone" circuit changes the impedance of the input transformer
  • 80 Hz high-pass filter
  • 2 kHz low-pass filter
  • Inputs: XLR microphone input, TS jack instrument input and TRS jack line input
  • Outputs: XLR / TRS line level
  • VU meter level meter
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 483 x 179 x 89 mm
  • Weight: 3.7 kg
Available since March 2023
Item number 562525
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Channels 1
Number of microphone inputs 1
Instrument input Yes
Tubes Yes
Compressor/Limiter No
Equalizer No
De-Esser No
Phantom power Yes
Phase Reverse Yes
External effect loops No
Analogue Outputs XLR, jack
Digitale Outputs None
Headphone connection No
Level Meter Yes
Design 19" / 2U
$759
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Rock & Roll with tubes

The US manufacturer Warm Audio has earned a first-class reputation as a specialist in the successful reinterpretation of classic recording technology. The key elements of the original circuits are carefully replicated in each case on the basis of the respective prototypes and expanded to include useful extras, and the prices are surprisingly affordable as well. The Warm Audio WA-MPX sees the Texas-based company stepping back into the golden era of Rock & Roll. This single-channel microphone and instrument preamp is inspired by a legendary tape machine preamplifier from the 1950s and is Warm Audio’s first tube-driven device. Unlike the bulky prototype, the WA-MPX comes in a compact 2U format and is equipped with everything that modern studio environments require.

Legendary sound, modern technology

The Warm Audio WM-MPX is a hand-built and fully discrete preamp, which features three tubes and CineMag transformers in the signal path. In addition to a full 90dB of tube power, the device also boasts a switchable tape saturation control and a filter circuit to emulate the sound of tape machines running at a speed of 15IPS. This allows the WA-MPX to deliver an authentic and powerful sound with an exceptionally pleasing tone and natural-sounding compression. A 2kHz low-pass filter, 80Hz high-pass filter, and impedance switching permit extremely flexible sound configuration. XLR and jack sockets are located on both the input and output side, and the front of the device is equipped with an additional instrument input. Phantom power, a polarity switch, and a stylish VU meter round off the range of high-level features.

Warm Audio WA-MPX, front view

Characterful sound at an affordable price

The use of high-quality and to a large extent authentic vintage technology allows the Warm Audio WA-MPX to deliver distinctly characterful sounds. The MPX is the go-to wherever sufficient punch with a warm tone, or even extensive saturation, is required during the recording process. The powerful and, where required, even biting mid-range sound produced by the MPX makes it particularly suitable for signals typical in Rock music, such as basses and electric guitars, but also the perfect device for drums, overheads, or even vocals. Warm Audio’s customary professional quality is on display in terms of both build quality and features here, and project and semi-professional studios alike wishing to add a veritable sound tool to their range of “all-rounder preamps” may also find the WA-MPX attractive thanks to its comparatively low price.

Warm Audio WA-MPX microphone preamp with controls

About Warm Audio

Warm Audio is a company founded in 2011 which has made it its mission to offer the highest quality studio equipment at the most affordable prices possible. The focus is on remakes of classic studio standards, whose circuits are reinterpreted, often freely and with flair. The Americans firm’s product range includes their own variants of the Urei 1176 and the Teletronix LA-2A compressor, a Pultec replica, and a number of different microphones and preamps inspired by the corresponding legendary devices from the analogue era.

Interior of the Warm Audio WA-MPX showing the electronics

1950s technology in a new guise

As users have come to expect from Warm Audio, the manufacturer has expanded the essence of the original circuitry here to include a number of useful extra features. The WA-MPX accordingly uses two 12AX7 tubes (like the original) for the first amplifier stage and a further double triode (12AU7) for an additional 20dB boost, which is activated with the MPX and controlled by the gain control. The transformers are custom-made by the legendary US transformer manufacturer CineMag, once again to vintage specifications. By contrast, filtering, tape saturation, and impedance switching are found exclusively in the Warm Audio interpretation and considerably enhance the tonal flexibility of this preamp.

Warm Audio WA-MPX, rear view

3 Customer ratings

4.3 / 5

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features

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quality

3 Reviews

A
The sound doesnt have depth unless you turn on the third tube and a transformer.
Aref 25.01.2024
I had to turn on the High Gain and the Tone button to get a depthful sound out of this pre. Otherwise the sound doesn't have depth. But other than that, its kinda vibey.
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1
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E
Gran previo a buen precio
Eugem 03.10.2023
Tengo otros previos de válvulas como los Summit de casi 3.000 € y otro de Ávalon y ahora mi favorito es este pedazo de previo. Tiene mucho más aguante, sobre todo con el botón de tape puesto, en la señal dibujada de mi daw cuando grabó una pista se observa como las ondas se comprimen o redondean sin nunca llegar a ser un corte cuadrado parecido a los Summit pero el de warm aguanta mucho más. Si le aprietas, las voces se vuelven super anchas y ricas en armónicos combinándolos con un compresor de válvulas. También los utilizo en las guitarras y baterías. Si te gusta el sonido sucio pero sin que se oiga rajado este lo consigue. En limpio también suena muy bien. La única pega que le veo son las salidas, si después del previo le colocas otro aparato como un ecualizador o parecido, si no es bueno y no se adaptan bien la impedancia de salida del warm con el siguiente aparato pierde mucha señal e incluso puede aparecer ruido. Es un previo que imita a los antiguos sin circuitos integrados (no es un híbrido que llevan chips) y las salidas van con componentes discretos y transformadores por lo cual la salida no pude enchufarse en 2 aparatos a la vez.
Ahora es mi preferido, ya tengo 2 en la versión mono. El vumeter gigante que tiene es muy bonito. El acabado que tiene con sus interruptores se ve fuerte y de buena calidad. Otros previos de válvulas que he escuchado dicen que les puedes subir mucho la ganancia sin que se note el rajado digitalón pero no es así. Este con el tape puesto si que lo aguanta (que es lo que hacían los multipistas analógicos de cinta, los podías apretar llevando los vumeter a tope y dar mucha fuerza al sonido, comprimiendo la onda y no el volumen como un compresor).
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7
2
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vp
Warm audio WA-MPX
vitttoria prod bis 15.04.2023
Très bon préampli son vintage pour les amateurs seul bémol les oreilles trous pas au norme trop petits pour des racks normaux .
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