The Warm Audio WA-47jr is one of the cheapest ways to get a studio microphone with a sound inspired by the historic Neumann U47. As the junior version of the already inexpensive Warm Audio WA-47, it uses transformerless condenser technology instead of a tube and therefore does not need an external power supply, which brings the price down even further. Thanks to cleverly designed internal electronics, the sound remains rich and full of character.
When it comes to the capsule, the Warm Audio WA-47jr uses the same element as the "senior version" of the more expensive WA-47. Accordingly, it's possible to switch the polar pattern between cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-of-eight. The sound pressure tolerance increases to a respectable 157 dB SPL (at 0.5% THD) when using the pad (10 dB), and at the same time the self-noise of 9 dB(A) is relatively low. Even though there are certainly more accurate clones of the Neumann U47, this is a versatile microphone built with high-quality components that can also be used outside of typical home recording applications.
Anyone who's looking for an affordable microphone with a sound full of character (as opposed to a transparent, realistic sound) has found it with the Warm Audio WA-47jr. But its affordability doesn't mean it's just a microphone for beginners: More experienced users will know much better how to use the flexibility and sonic qualities of the transducer to their advantage.
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.
The original Neumann U47 has an absolutely legendary reputation as a microphone for vocals, but it has historically also been used in many other contexts. Similarly, the Warm Audio WA-47jr will also excel whenever a soft and characterful colouration is required: One obvious avenue of potential besides recording vocals would be to use it as a room mic for drums, for example, or as a close mic for brass. In both cases, experimenting with the polar pattern will produce interesting, versatile results. Ultimately, though, this affordable '47 from Warm Audio will also work well in front of the body of an acoustic guitar, the amp of an electric guitar, and in countless other applications.