Warm Audio WA-412 4-Channel Microphone Preamp, DI w/ Cables

Warm Audio WA-412 4-Channel Microphone Preamp with DI

The WA-412 provides 4 channels of classic American console preamps in a sleek 1RU design. This style of preamp is often referred to as "the sound of Rock n' Roll" for its BIG punchy low end and smooth open top end. The price/performance ratio of the WA-412 is almost unfathomable to the experienced studio engineer who has possibly paid much more for preamps of this style during their career. Featuring fully discrete socketed 6-pin opamps and custom wound Altran USA input and output transformers, the WA-412 leaves nothing to be desired. If you are looking for multiple channels of world class tone in an affordable package, the WA-412 is the right choice for you.

Inspiration behind the WA-412.

When I first started holding regular studio sessions years ago I always desired to have more channels of high-end mic pre's. I could only afford to have one or two in my studio at a time, which was never enough to record a full band or drummer. I knew very well that if signals were not recorded well "on the way in" they wouldn't be salvageable later, but my budget constrained me, so many of the sources were recorded through poor-quality mic pre's.  If the WA-412 was available back then I likely wouldn't have had to settle for poor, low-quality tone. The WA-412 was designed "for the people" (if you will) and we believe it will become a serious work-horse in many professional and home studios. - Bryce Young (founder)

More features.

The WA-412 has all of the features one would expect from this style of preamp... and more. Output Trim has been added to every channel for precise control and creative gain structuring. We also added a Tone switch (transformer input impedance) to each channel, which allows you to choose the warm and punchy classic console tone, or a more open & neutral sound.

Better components.

Each channel utilizes a fully discrete socketed 6-pin opamp that can be swapped with other opamps. Discrete opamp circuitry is known for its high headroom and low distortion characteristics and has much to do with the coveted sound of these classic console preamps.  

We are proud to be using input and output transformers that are made in the USA by high-end transformer manufacturer, Altran. We worked closely with Altran to create unique transformers that extend the low frequency response of the design. The transformers also use a vintage winding technique that produces a very distinct smooth & open character.

Carefully choosing the WA-412 components has resulted in an amazing four channel ‘workhorse’ preamp/DI that performs at the highest levels, while still adding a touch of vintage console magic to your signal.

Warm Audio PREM-XLR-20 Premier Series Studio & Live XLR Microphone Cable, 20'

Introducing Premium Cables by Warm audio

At Warm, we always put customers front and center in our decision-making. You are the reason that we put so much time and effort into ensuring that the products we bring to market sound amazing, are as affordable as possible and inspire endless creativity - we’re serious about this stuff!

We’re also serious about recording as an art, and we’re always looking for ways to help our customers achieve their sonic goals. With that mission in mind we partnered with Switzerland-based Gotham AG - Europe’s top producer of premium cable - to provide the cable stock for our entire new line of interconnects, and the results have exceeded our expectations!

Highest Quality Possible

With Warm Cables we knew that we wanted to offer the highest quality possible at a price low enough for everyone to afford, with construction robust enough that we could offer a lifetime warranty. Well known as the original supplier to some of the industry’s elite manufacturers (their 3-conductor wire was known simply as “the Neumann Cable” for decades), Gotham’s cable construction techniques and technology now represent the current state-of-the-art. We couldn’t be happier to partner with them on these new cables, and we can’t wait for you to use them!

Premier vs. Pro

Warm makes two lines of cable - Premier and Professional - in order to offer the largest number of options possible in two different price ranges. Both lines take advantage of Gotham’s state-of-the-art construction, offering absolutely stellar audio performance, near-perfect signal transfer and the ultimate in reliability (which is why they both feature a lifetime warranty!). Both cable lines produce fabulous results, but the Premier line adds above-and-beyond features like gold-plated connectors, four-conductor Starquad construction for powerful rejection of EMI and Double-Reussen shielding for increased rejection of RFI. There simply is no better-sounding or more reliable cable on the planet, and Warm Cables don’t come with a gold-plated price tag - these are wires that everyone can afford!

Warm Audio Premier and Pro cables are offered in XLR, XLR to TRS, TS to TS, and TS to angled TS varieties.

What does “StarQuad” mean?

A traditional balanced cable uses three cores of wire to carry the audio signals: one shielded core for the hot/positive leg, one shielded core for the cold/negative leg (which is wired in reverse polarity to the positive leg), and a plain outer wrap that functions as the ground. A balanced audio system effectively rejects most induced noise encountered along the cable’s length by removing signals that are common to both the hot and cold legs.

StarQuad construction takes that concept even further, by using four cores instead of two: two cores each for the hot/positive and cold/negative legs and a single ground. This helps to further shield the audio from RFI (radio frequency interference) even more than a traditional 3-conductor cable.

What is Double-Reussen Shielding?

Most cable construction techniques use an outer wrap of wire to act as the ground. Some manufacturers braid this wire, while others simply wrap the wires in a highly uniform way to shield the interior wires from interference.

Double-Reussen shielding goes much further than more traditional techniques in two ways: First, the cable is wrapped with not one but TWO separate shields, and second, the outer shield is wrapped in a contrary direction to the inner shield. This creates a stronger and more complete shield from RFI for the internal cores, and can result in an astounding reduction of interference. Double-Reussen shielding is a tad more expensive to manufacture, but for those who will accept nothing but the best it represents the pinnacle of current balanced cable technology.