EPIC Mic SHOOTOUT with Warm Audio Mics

[@Producelikeapro]

What's your favourite mic? Joe Carrell and myself did a MasterClass in Austin, Texas at Warm Audio’s Studios recording the rather marvellous Motenko. When it came to the vocals we thought we would try every mic that Warm Audio Studios had to offer! Download the multitracks to hear for yourself: producelikeapro.lpages.co/warm-audio-microphone-shootout

[@stephensheridanmusicguitar7881]

I like the ribbon, it's full bodied, it has a vibe, it adds to the emotion of the track and fits in well with the Background vocals.

[@jeremythornton433]

I wish you also had used the WA47jr. That's the one I have and use it a lot. It's a good budget mic.

[@Defghi19]

I love my WA67 and will always be biased towards it. On the shootout - a fun thing I noticed is people's votes were correlated with where they were sitting in the room. There's probably a tonal difference the people in the people back were hearing that was different from the people in the front that caused them to vote differently.

[@Producelikeapro]

@@stephensheridanmusicguitar7881 Thanks for sharing!

[@NURREDIN]

MY favorite mic is the vintage Neumann U-47 before Telefunken took over production. The originals are running around $30K if you can find one!

[@chadfayrobinson7537]

The 67 does it for me ! Smokey track I like it !!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@glennmorganofficial]

I have used everything Warm Audio makes, and hands down the WA-47 is (in my opinion) the best thing they make. It's a great mic.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jmdmusicstudios2026]

I think the WA67 suits the singer the best IMO. It highlights his wonderful natural resonance

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@FransJCMartins]

This is the reason why I bought the 251. Just love tis mic. Also my stereo pair WA-84’s. Used them on acoustic guitar, piano in front of a choir, drum overheads, snare bottom and hi-hats. Great mics!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@jamesmorris9816]

I have a WA-251 I bought 3 years ago because a couple of friends of mine in Nashville doing a lot of session work recommended it, it’s been good.

[@Producelikeapro]

That;s awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@louisalfred3]

Great Review I am seriously thinking about getting the 47 after this review.

[@geoffreymerrifield5666]

One of the most practical, wise and helpful vids I have ever seen (and I've seen a multitude!). These comparisons videos are always so tricky because the mind starts adding and subtracting. End result is in the track. Same with guitar, bass, etc. They can sound amazing solo, but in the mix is a different reality and the most important part..

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@steverok67]

As can be seen (and mostly heard) here, a great singer sounds good through any mic. Impressed by the lack of sibilance and constant great tone. One thing that jumped out at me ... on the 44, when it went to the chorus, magic happened. It wasn't the same with the others, which made me realize, you don't always have to use the same mic on the lead vocal throughout the entire song. I feel like I just learned something.

[@rome8180]

I still thought it was too thick in the chorus, tbh. But it did sound better because his register was a little higher and the arrangement changed. I still would have wanted to EQ it pretty dramatically though.

[@thesongwritersjourney]

Such a cool shootout, thanks for doing it. As I was listening I could see different mics for the same singer, depending on the song style. No end to the fun!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@michaelyolch79]

I own a lot of great mics. The WA-251 is my favorite of the Warm, overall. BUT...for HIS voice on this track, I also picked the 47 both times, blind. Very nice!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Kenneth-F]

This episode is great! Thanks for all the great content you do!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pedroboschibrasil]

47 the best for sure!

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous!

[@Luke-ot6mk]

44 is my favourite for the song, the voice and the 70s mood. But I think the voice in the first appearance was more tamed them the other entry. The guy has a great voice! Cheers!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@bob-rogers]

I liked how you showed the vocal solo, with one instrument, and in a full track. to demonstrate how context matters. They all sound really similar, so it's great when you explain what you're hearing so I know something to listen for.

[@BobbyLouxMusic]

Warren, why don’t you use a power tenor male vocalist to get the real differences in these mics? As a tenor myself, the ability of mics to withstand the spls is a huge part in comparing or finding the right mic. Thoughts?

[@Producelikeapro]

Send me an mp3 of you singing! We have ALL kinds of singers on the channel!

[@Bloor005]

You've got a great voice!!

[@Wilmer778]

@@Producelikeapro If you want me to, I can sing something for you one day. :D

[@splashesin8]

I suspect Warm audio is way beyond warm this whole month mostly. Even with, air conditioning. Sounds fun! 😊

[@Producelikeapro]

Austin was VERY hot!

[@carminelombardi9575]

What a great way to compare mics and see them in different mixes and to understand what you can expect in post. This taught me immensely.

[@ktreier]

I love the 44, and the 87R2

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Tito-Torres]

Man I loved this little piece of song. I want to listen the whole thing

[@Producelikeapro]

Stay tuned!

[@adamliu8171]

Great great video. Tight tight tight

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@Hannynco]

WA 67 vs WA8000 which better for main vocal male and female?? Thanks in advance 🙏

[@jacob0468]

Hey Warren, really great video 😊

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@jacob0468]

@@Producelikeapro you Walk

[@1loveMusic2003]

The 44 takes eq really well so I think it works.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jamieremus277]

I liked the WA47, I own one and I’m familiar with the sound and I like the pleasant tube warmth and saturation I’m hearing. 🙂❤️

[@ARKenMan]

I bought one and LOVE it

[@KongBraach]

what a voice he has!

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous!

[@schmuckeprinz]

Joe made some Biceps Gains 💪🏼😄

[@DavidD-un5oy]

I have been using the WA-87 and the engineers say it’s done wonders for my baritone voice.

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous! Thanks for sharing!

[@chris_johnson_music]

Thank you for this, Im currently looking for a vocal mic, swaying towards the WA47..... Love the track, reminded me of Roachford

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ktreier]

I have the 44 and love that vintage tone on male vocals.

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous! Thanks for sharing!

[@Deriolama]

the wa-67 sounds great...

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@rome8180]

I liked the 251 the first time and the 47 the 2nd time. I do think what I liked in the full track is more relevant though. I don't plan on making a lot of songs with just vocals and Wurlitzer.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@NURREDIN]

Did you guys ever test the Warm Audio clone of the Sony C800?

[@Producelikeapro]

Not in this shootout! Stay tuned

[@d.b.entertainment9984]

I love that they made Joe Carrol put on a name tag but not Warren

[@petedevriese]

Warm Audio is doing some incredible work. I don’t have any of the mics in the video (yet), but I wholeheartedly recommend the WA-84 for acoustic guitar and percussion.

[@SI3GEL]

Oh! Great experience this one. Shukran Warren👍🏼

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@WeissAdvice]

Fun! First round my pick is #1 - it's not the biggest, brightest sound but it has a nice character and blends well. #3 is the biggest sounding but kinda steps out of the record. #2 sound really good to, but the sibilance is a little too pronounced. Second round my pick would be #3. #2 here is the biggest sounding, but sounds a little too pokey. #3 has a slight "haze" that compliments his voice. Even after the reveal I still have no idea what mics I picked LOL

[@TomCawoski]

Very cool shoot out! I picked the 47 as well. It worked well for his voice but I'm wondering if you'd get the same result for a female singer or if it's going to be different depending on the singer?

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing Tom! My personal experience of owning U47's is that they work in 90% of situations with both male and female voices.

[@Producelikeapro]

Download the multitracks to hear for yourself: producelikeapro.lpages.co/warm-audio-microphone-shootout

[@CrushingAxes]

Very nice !Thanks!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@CrushingAxes thanks ever so much!

[@ZENTREO]

hello. I have a request for a video tut on mixing vocals on that queen backing vocals like you know on killer queen the parts where it goes "wanna try," or the chorus. I ve been really wondering what they would do. I mean the idea, is it like phaser or flanger that makes it so "queen like" or is it other tricks? there arent any tuts on youtube showing it so I would be glad if you do.

[@Producelikeapro]

That's a marvellous idea!

[@lucasjuniorproducer]

Lewitt Pure Tube is the winner for me...

[@jessetimmmiller1870]

251 is my pick.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@Wilmer778]

This is so funny! :P I own a WA-47 and it sounds really good with my voice, but on his voice, I liked the WA-251 the best. I didn't like his voice on the WA-44 at first, but after a couple of listens, I started to like the dark sound of the 44. Here's a tip for vocalists: a couple of weeks ago, I bought a Slate ML-2 and I place it above my WA-47 and record the ML-2's signal as well. Why? Well, it's a modeling mic and I'm usually not a fan of modeling mics, but let's say the WA-47 doesn't sound good on a particular song, but you've already recorded it and like the performance a lot, you'd always be able to use the ML-2's signal and use the software to pick a different virtual mic, or just blend the ML-2's signal with whatever main mic you've got, with or without the virtual mic. Great solution! I never record vocals anymore without the ML-2's signal being recorded as well, in case of emergencies or to blend it with my WA-47 or AKG C-414, or whatever I might use as my main vocal mic. ;) I know the ML-2 is a SD mic and it's not supposed to be used for recording vocals because of it picking up plosives; etc pretty easily, but somehow, I'm not suffering from any of those problems. Lucky me! :D Nice video, as always!

[@pesam64]

Great advice. I have a ML-1 and will try this out.

[@Oberkobold]

Blind test 1: Mic #1: close second (67) Mic #2: a little too bright (47) Mic #3: favourite (251) Mic #4: way too dull and dark (44) Blind test 2: Mic #1: not as open as other ones (67) Mic #2: close second (251) Mic #3: favourite (47)

[@Studioinsession]

Cool 😎

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@ianverickson]

I preferred the 47 the whole time, but the 67 grew on me toward the end. I hated it in the track, but it sounded very similar to the 47 when soloed, just flatter, less exciting. The 251 sounds like the 47 with a big bump in the high mids, which would definitely have its advantages, just not with his voice or similar voices.

[@Bloor005]

Have you tried the WA-19 yet. Cheap price but pretty solid sound. Good on ethnic drums (cajon, djembe and doumbek) as well as toms and cabs.

[@Producelikeapro]

YES! We tried it there AND we have a video coming up on it very soon!

[@Bloor005]

@@Producelikeapro it was the only mic to get me that percussive acoustic guitar sound of the 1960s too.

[@Producelikeapro]

@@Bloor005 Marvellous! Thanks for sharing!

[@blackcreekmusic783]

Curious as towny the omission of the WA-87? I've had great results with that model on female vocals. it's a toss up between the 67 and 47 for me. To my ears the 87 has more body

[@Producelikeapro]

3 tube mics and a ribbon! That's all, were going for a classic R&B Funk vocal

[@Producelikeapro]

If I was emulating an '80s track would definitely have reached for the 87 first

[@MarkoSax]

Thanks for this shootout: for this male voice and in my opinion it is not only the question of frequence range, for me it is the natural transient of the voice, here wins the ck12 against m7 (clone capsule)

[@pearsonart]

47 is so balanced. Can go just about any direction you need to sit in (or above) the track. 67 was my second favorite. 251 lacked some lower midrange and the 44 sounded boxy (almost slurred) and ill defined.

[@drewg3087]

251 sounds best on his vocal to me but I think for my voice I’m going to switch to the wa47 was debating on the wa67 or 47 but for singer songwriter rock stuff think 47 will be better for my sound.

[@TheRecordMaka]

My doubt is regarding the downloadable files. Is that exactly how they were tracked, is that the level they had once tracked in the DAW? What was the tracking chain? I can tell the gain was matched on all of them. Thanks! :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, all tracked at exactly the same gain with zero compression!

[@TheRecordMaka]

@@Producelikeapro Wow.. I mean that´s a fantastic level there. So much body to all of them. May I ask what the preamp was? I loved comparing them and checking out the sound. It seemed to me the 251 almost had sorty of like a gate effect incorporated, compared to the 67 or 47. There is a deeper silence in between sun lines. Thank a lot!

[@RicherPodcast]

Have you had a chance to try the WA-8000 (Warm Audio’s Sony C-800)? Any quick thoughts? 😁

[@Doctaj54]

WA-7506 headphones ??? 🙂 Where all the mics tracked thru the SSL pres? I did like the WA-47 as well but where was the buzz coming from it's audio signal? The 251 seemed the smoothest fit for this artist and song. I was also surprised that it wasn't the brightest mic.

[@TheLensWithDamianTaylor]

47 sounded more balanced and well rounded. Plus the tight end sounds less harsh compared to the others. It made the vocal easier to process. I also like the warmth and mid range of the 47 as well.

[@KreativeDevices]

🔥

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@ProducerStefanSchnabel]

251 best ✌🏻

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DogsAndDogsAndDogs]

WA 47 sounds great. The 67 sounds a bit brittle to me.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@j.charleshiggins5503]

The 251 sounds brittle in my opinion. The 67 top is softer or duller than both 47 and 251 options

[@Producelikeapro]

@@j.charleshiggins5503 thanks for sharing!

[@cowabungaw9958]

No WA-8000?

[@Producelikeapro]

Indeed, we didn't use the WA-8000

[@legacyShredder1]

@Bryce Young, I know you're going to be in the comments sooner or later: Where did you get the blue baffle/gobos they were using in the vocal booth? What is the material they're made from?

[@Producelikeapro]

Ooo! Great question!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

Both the 47 and the 67 sounded great on the singers vocals. I would give the 47 the slight edge because there is less to process with the sound but for a brighter sound the 67 could appeal to the producer or artist who is going more for that sound. I paid down on a WA-87 at the pawn shop recently so I've been looking at the different mic shootouts. I want a 67 and a 47 clone that is close to the real thing. I've used the real thing for all of them at various studios over the last 36 years. I'm sure that it was a 47 and whatever pre amp they were using at the time that made my voice sound like the Beatles. At the time I didn't realize that the Beatles used the 47 and the 67. I want both so I can find out what mic gave my voice that sound. Obviously I don't sound like McCartney or Lennon but it gave my voice a mid boost that when I layered my vocals and added harmonies it gave me a sound that reminded me of the Beatles.

[@paulgibby6932]

On the first song, I liked the 251. I didn't notice until listening to the other 3 that it sounded (to me) so much better. The others lost the crispness the 251 conveyed, the 67 was almost as good.

[@BlackHairbrush]

not to be a bummer but the singer hears his own voice all the time so he has the advantage in being consistent.

[@Wedontwantnowarnomore]

I have got 2 pcs of Neumann-Gefell CMV563, M7 capsule, so what the heck am I doing here? Bought them in Moscow 1992 but with one supply. So some years ago I bought a new made stereo supply. It tastes ridiculous. Superb for two micke drums. Still, for singing I use a passive Electro Voice 671, late 70th. When in my home recording studio I find easy to work with. Got the EV in left hand and computerise with the other. We all got our ways to go about. I heard for instance Chrissie Hynde recorded singing with here iPone for her latest album… Thanks for showing us the mikes btw 🙏

[@hybridstudios39]

As someone who tracks daily mainly with a bock 251 or stam sa800g I didn’t care for the warm 251. It didn’t feel like a 251 to me. I have a budget 251 as well in the JJ audio Dutch and they sound quite a bit different. I did like the 67 though I often feel like warm is lacking overall but definitely usable and budget wise they definitely make sense but 1:1 like the warm 73 vs heritage.. heritage wins every time for me Warm wa1b vs heritage Tubesessor, I prefer the heritage too Surprising I actually really liked the dark tone of the 44 due to the body and not feeling like the song had the requirement of being bright. Using my audioscape pultec at 8k or 10k would have it sounding great Another thing I take in account is the preamp being used. Using something like my mercury m76m makes my 47s so beautiful it’s crazy (peluso and stam 47s) Just wrapped up a session with the stam47 on the leads and stam sa800 on bgv through the m76m > distressor > chandler 660 > lil Freq Amazing chain and sounds completely different than my shelford channel But I also love how it tames the bock 251’s brightness, unlike my stam 1073 that puts it more in your face making the first thing I do is slap a de-esser on the track or use the lil freq as a de-esser and track with it lightly 47 was a good choice. I want to hear the warm mpx pre in my environment rather than online but I think I have enough pres. I have many different pres in both rack gear and 500 series already but the mpx caught my attention

[@Motenko]

Oh hey!!

[@Wilmer778]

Oh and 7:53: I might get this wrong, but I think Mic A = WA-67, Mic B = 251, Mic C = WA-47 and D = WA-44. Now I'm curious.... ;)

[@Wilmer778]

11:44 YEAH, I got at least one right (as if that one's hard to guess, haha). Let's continue....

[@Wilmer778]

15:51 GOT THEM ALL RIGHT!! :D Nice!! My ears are better than I thought they were, haha.

[@Wilmer778]

16:00 Oh no... 😢 xD

[@haraldfrostad]

And Warren ~ Your favorite MIC still are = ?

[@Producelikeapro]

That's a list that needs compiling!

[@jbstrummer]

listening in my studio hands down 67. I would not base a purchase decision on that with this you tube to my ears scenario. Wish I could have been there. Love Warm Audio, I have a WA73 and a WA76

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for your great comment! Download the multitracks and hear in your own environment!

[@huberttorzewski]

WA-47 has some resonance in the high mids which is very annoying and makes it sound harsh. WA-67 is muddy but it's smooth in the high mids and fuller in the lower mids. WA-67 is a better mic for his voice IMO

[@yvanlefort8123]

WA67

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mattperreault3518]

I’ve tried a bunch of fancy mics and it’s the sm7b that works for me.

[@Producelikeapro]

I think at least one of these is the same price as an SM7b.

[@michaelcaplin8969]

You should really try the SM7! The SM7b is a completely different mic from the original, and in my opinion is vastly inferior. Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones used the SM7 for his vocals, and if the SM7b sounds good for your voice, I'm guessing the SM7 will sound MUCH better!

[@aeonlancer]

😁

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha nice upgrade in comment! Thanks ever so much!

[@killer268]

67 by a mile...

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TimDolbear]

Wow, surprise how the 47 clone sounded...Sounds nothing like the U47s at Blackbird or my Peluso. Has a weird mid-ness... 67 sounded good, I would use it unless we wanted a very dark/vintage sound, (44)

[@Producelikeapro]

Intersting! I have all three of those! An original U47, the Peluso, the Warm, Wunder

[@TimDolbear]

@@Producelikeapro the warm 47 just seems to have something in the 800hz that seemed folder on itself... Hmmmmm

[@precisionsoundworksstudio]

Oddly enough, all the mics sounded a little Warm…

[@Producelikeapro]

Bada Boom!

[@precisionsoundworksstudio]

@@Producelikeapro 😁 All kidding aside, fantastic content as always! 🙌🏻

[@Producelikeapro]

@@precisionsoundworksstudio thanks ever so much!

[@Chxsne]

I HEAR NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL WHYYYYYYY????????

[@Chxsne]

maybe abit of a low end boost on mic 4 thats it?

[@Producelikeapro]

You downloaded the files and through your own speakers it headphones you couldn’t hear a difference?

[@Chxsne]

@@Producelikeapro I didn't download the files no just on the KZbin video I couldn't hear a difference :( I'm really trying to become an audio guy but it's so hard when my ears are shite

[@Producelikeapro]

@@ChxsneKZbin isn't the best audio source, hence why we always provide multi tracks for you to compare in your own environment

[@Chxsne]

@@Producelikeapro ok perfect thankyou for your replys man, love your videos you're an inspiration to me :)

[@michaelcaplin8969]

Well, none of them are great microphones by any stretch of the imagination. They have the exact same super cheap chinese capsules found in all AKG, Sennheiser and Røde mics, and of course bottom of the barrell electrical components on all of them (just like with literally every single microphone maker out there except for Neumann and a small handfull of boutique makers). But compared to a general no-brand chinese microphone, I guess they are slightly more mojo-ish, and they definitely look nicer. Not sure I'd want to use any of these for important sessions where the vocals and instruments need to be upfront in the mix, but I'm sure they have their niche in the bedroom producers using mostly midi and who processes the vocals beyond belief. I guess they would work as well as any other mic in those situations. But I honestly am saddened by the hopeless lack of good modern alternatives in microphones. Neumann is literally the ONLY microphone maker in the world who currently knows how to make good capsules, but they have no idea how to make great transformers and their mics sound too bright and too thin compared to their old ones, and good tubes aren't being produced anymore either. It really is becoming a lost art, and the results are these bland microphones. Not even the expensive boutique makers are really cutting it when it comes to capsules and transformers sadly. Fuck this timeline!