The Capsule: The Heart Of A Microphone
The Guts And The Glory
The EF-86 tube is well-known in the industry for having characteristics that are consistently flattering to audio sources, and it’s one of the reasons why the original ’67 microphone remains sought after (and why some modern audio manufacturers use it in their own hyper-expensive microphones and preamps). We knew that it was critical to get absolutely right in the WA-67, and we’re thrilled with the results.
Going even further, in order to accentuate and complement the custom capsule and EF86 tube, we used top-shelf components to complete our version of the original circuit. We used high-bandwidth polystyrene capacitors, as well as boutique polypropylene caps from Wima and a large output capacitor from Solen. Just as important in a tube design, we also used a custom large-core transformer from Lundahl in Sweden, which plays a significant role in the buttery smooth high frequency response and huge three-dimensional sound of the WA-67. The microphone is also encased in a beautiful nickel-plated brass body and headbasket, which provides strength, additional shielding from extraneous handling noise and the ultimate in audio performance.
Last but not certainly not least, the quality of the 7-pin cable that connects a tube mic to its power supply is also of paramount importance - it carries both audio signals and voltage for the tube on different pins, which means that it plays an integral role in the performance of the microphone. That’s why we’ve partnered with high-end manufacturer Gotham Audio of Switzerland to use their high-end GAC-7 cable with the WA-67. This special cable is integral to the sound and performance of the microphone, and adds the finishing touch to the WA-67 system.
Technical Specifications
- LARGE DIAPHRAGM STUDIO CONDENSER MICROPHONE
- FAITHFUL RE-CREATION OF THE CLASSIC ’67-STYLE PENTODE TUBE CIRCUIT
- EF86 PENTODE TUBE FOR CREAMY SMOOTH CLARITY AND BRILLIANCE
- CUSTOM LARGE-CORE TRANSFORMER FROM LUNDAHL SWEDEN
- CUSTOM ALL-BRASS LARGE K67-STYLE VINTAGE CAPSULE RE-CREATION
- GOLD-SPUTTERED MYLAR DIAPHRAGM, 6 MICRONS THICK
- HIGH-BANDWIDTH POLYSTYRENE CAPACITORS
- BOUTIQUE CAPACITORS FROM WIMA AND SOLEN
- NICKEL-PLATED BRASS MICROPHONE BODY AND HEADBASKET FOR ULTIMATE ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE
- PREMIUM 7-PIN TUBE CABLE FROM GOTHAM SWITZERLAND
- POLAR PATTERNS: CARDIOID, OMNI, FIGURE-OF-EIGHT
- SWITCHABLE HI-PASS FILTER
- SWITCHABLE -10 DB PAD
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20 HZ - 20 KHZ
- RATED IMPEDANCE: 200 OHMS
- RATED LOAD IMPEDANCE: 1KILOHMS
- EQUIVALENT NOISE LEVEL (A-WEIGHTED): 17 DB-A
- MAXIMUM SPL FOR THD 0.5%: 138 DB
- SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO (A-WEIGHTED): 78 DB
- MICROPHONE INCLUDES: WOOD BOX, SHOCKMOUNT, HARDMOUNT, POWER SUPPLY, 7-PIN MIC CABLE