Guitar Gear Forum

I've been looking at some Warm Audio gear, specifically the 1073 clone. Are they any good? How they compare to stuff like BAE etc?

I have a WA-12 that is a great sounding pre. Adds a nice chewy, vintage flavor to whatever I use it for.

Yeah it’s solid from what I tried. I returned it tho.

For that neve flavor and relatively cheap I’d look at Vintech. I don’t think you have a 500 series chassis but their 573 is very reasonable and gets what I want from the neve style preamp, which is generally favored for guitar recordings especially with a simple 57.

But the Warm audio is good. Good value. But I think, even tho it’s more, Vintech is better value better tone. I’m pretty sure they have a stand-alone pre,(x73i) too but the cost might be a tad too step if you are looking to be budget friendly

TurboPablo wrote:I have a WA-12 that is a great sounding pre. Adds a nice chewy, vintage flavor to whatever I use it for.

Just for clarity sake, for those who care, the wa12 is their API flavor. API and neve are quite different in mic pre worlds. I like both and have mostly API flavored stuff but a neve style is on my radar

I know you are prolly referring to the sound quality of Warm in general but the difference between these style of pres can be difficult for some companies to get BOTH right. At least that’s been my, relatively little but enough, experience

hmm maybe I should start a 500 series setup. Makes a lot of sense even from an ergonomic standpoint.

What's a good 500 chassis? Does the chassis brand even matter?

GuitarBilly wrote:hmm maybe I should start a 500 series setup. Makes a lot of sense even from an ergonomic standpoint.

What's a good 500 chassis? Does the chassis brand even matter?

I can’t say for certain. Ideally it wouldn’t. But there is some out there who would claim it does. And let’s say there was a really poorly designed one, then for sure the power supply would affect the quality of whatever is plugged into it.

I went cheap to start and I didn’t feel I heard any problems with the chassis. I’ve since “upgraded “ to a bigger unit and went with API lunchbox. They pretty much started the whole 500 thing so one would think you CANT go wrong with that. I got it used for around $500. . Which is very reasonable to me. New I think they are up around $7-800

For sumthin smaller, Radial has a few 3 module offerings, one is a lunchbox, the other is a 3 unit single space RACK unit. The modules lay on their sides for that. But it’s kinda cool if you want to rack sumthin and make a channel strip like that, for like $300 new, and whatver used. They are suppose to be a great little unit as well. They have an external power supply unit tho. Shouldn’t be a big deal for most but that is what’s slightly different about them

I have 2 WA-12 preamps.

They sound amazing, but i had one blow up. Since i bought it at Sweetwater, they had it fixed for free, no questions asked.

So, I say, make sure you get one with a warranty.

another WA12 user here-- i sure like mine. they make a 57 a weapon, and can just melt your brain with a ribbon mic. i also use mine as a direct input for bass and guitar for amplitube. it just adds grunt and in your face-ness to basically everything. it's also fantastic on vocals and snare. i haven't really found places it's NOT useful. i use it on anything i record just demoing shit.

i haven't tried the neve stuff myself, but suspect it'd be solid!

My studio sensei has WA products and loves them. His place is no joke, he has plenty of super high end gear- more than I've ever seen at any major studio even. He digs it so that is a ringing endorsement for me. Not sure what pieces he has, I need to find that out.

He also loves STAMM audio. He swears by their UA recreations as being better than the modern day UA products, lol.

If you want to go cheap cheap, try the GAP73. It won't break the bank and it delivers great sound. I had a pro Hollywood guy reference that for me for lower budgets and he was right. I had the stock version but I bet the upgraded transformer version is killer.

If you're looking for the best guitar signal chain- the Chandler Germanium is glorious!

I used to be in deep with all of this stuff but since getting the Kemper I started not to need it as much for my applications. So much fun, so much money!


Oh, I just realized you (Billy) are in PA. My studio guy is in the Bucks County North Hampton area. He doesn't advertise but god damn his place is a sonic playground. Hit me up if you want me to try to set up a meeting. With him or someone else, it might be cool to pay for an hour or two, try some gear and get an idea of what might work for you.

There's also this place, the lady actually married my wife and I and was super cool- they have a killer looking setup:
http://www.redrockrecording.com/studio/equipment

Lunch is ready

fretless wrote:Lunch is ready

you're going to have to explain that to me - I don't see anything that says Warm Audio.....


and I think you were holding your camera crooked

crankyrayhanky wrote:My studio sensei has WA products and loves them. His place is no joke, he has plenty of super high end gear- more than I've ever seen at any major studio even. He digs it so that is a ringing endorsement for me. Not sure what pieces he has, I need to find that out.

He also loves STAMM audio. He swears by their UA recreations as being better than the modern day UA products, lol.

If you want to go cheap cheap, try the GAP73. It won't break the bank and it delivers great sound. I had a pro Hollywood guy reference that for me for lower budgets and he was right. I had the stock version but I bet the upgraded transformer version is killer.

If you're looking for the best guitar signal chain- the Chandler Germanium is glorious!

I used to be in deep with all of this stuff but since getting the Kemper I started not to need it as much for my applications. So much fun, so much money!


Oh, I just realized you (Billy) are in PA. My studio guy is in the Bucks County North Hampton area. He doesn't advertise but god damn his place is a sonic playground. Hit me up if you want me to try to set up a meeting. With him or someone else, it might be cool to pay for an hour or two, try some gear and get an idea of what might work for you.

There's also this place, the lady actually married my wife and I and was super cool- they have a killer looking setup:
http://www.redrockrecording.com/studio/equipment

Hey thanks man!! I would love to set something up. Probably early next year would be great, I will hit you up for sure.

Good call on the GAP73, I was reading some good reviews about it the price is definitely right. I will probably start with the GAP and upgrade later (if needed).

clipless bumper wrote:
you're going to have to explain that to me - I don't see anything that says Warm Audio.....


and I think you were holding your camera crooked

API slice