Warm Audio WA73-EQ Microphone Preamp & EQ

The Complete British Console Channel

The WA73-EQ gives you the full 1073 experience in a single 1RU unit, the same Carnhill transformer preamp circuit as the WA73 paired with a faithful recreation of the original '73 inductor-based 3-band EQ. The 1073 is one of if not the most used preamp in recording history, and is still widely considered the 'holy grail' of preamps today. The WA73-EQ pays homage to that original circuit in both design and performance.

Carnhill Transformers and a Discrete Signal Path

Warm Audio worked closely with Carnhill Transformers in the UK, the same company that wound transformers for original Neve consoles, to design faithful replicas of the original transformers. The signal path is fully discrete, hand-wired and hand assembled, mirroring the original build process that many engineers say is a key part of the 1073's character. The result is a Class-A signal path that saturates sweetly when pushed, with the harmonically rich low end and smooth highs the 1073 is known and loved for.

The Inductor EQ

The WA73-EQ features a 3 band inductor EQ to shape your sound. The EQ circuit colours the signal even when not actively engaged, it's part of the preamp's character rather than a neutral bypass. The low band is selectable at 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz, or 220Hz. The midrange covers 360Hz, 700Hz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz, or 7.2kHz. The high shelf is variable between 10kHz, 12kHz, and 16kHz, with additional high band frequency points added compared to the vintage 1073.

Flexible Connectivity

The WA73-EQ covers the full range of studio recording scenarios. It has balanced XLR and TRS inputs for microphones and line-level sources, while the front-panel DI input handles bass, guitar, and keyboards. An insert send and return lets you patch in outboard compression or EQ between the transformers which is useful for building a vocal chain. It also includes a highpass filter that's selectable at 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, or 300Hz, phantom power, polarity invert, input impedance selector, and ground lift switch. An output level control with five-segment LED meter lets you drive the input stage for saturation while keeping the output level controlled.

Industry Reviews

Sound on Sound say "The WA73-EQ is a very capable mic preamp and EQ, which should serve as a great recording front-end, with its transformers and classic inductor EQ being great for gentle sound-shaping on the way in." and that "the WA73-EQ is great value for money and should hold plenty of appeal for serious home studio owners."

Warm Audio WA73-EQ Features:

• Single-channel Class-A mic/line/instrument preamp with 3-band inductor EQ
• Hand-wired and hand assembled including PCB components
• Fully discrete transformer-balanced signal path
• UK-made custom Carnhill transformers, faithful replicas of early 73-style designs
• UK-made Blore Edwards dual-concentric EQ switching potentiometers
• Up to 80dB of resistor stepped gain
• Switchable input impedance 1200Ω / 300Ω
• Inductor-based 3-band AEQ
• Low EQ: 35Hz, 60Hz, 110Hz, 220Hz boost/cut
• Mid EQ: 360Hz, 700Hz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz, 7.2kHz boost/cut
• High EQ: 10kHz, 12kHz, 16kHz boost/cut, additional points vs vintage 1073
• Highpass filter at 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, 300Hz
• Balanced XLR and TRS inputs and outputs
• Front-panel instrument input
• Send and return
• 48V phantom power, polarity invert, ground lift
• Output level control with 5-segment LED meter
• Input noise: -111dBu unweighted
• 1RU rackmount

Usually ships to you within ~2-3 days