Warm Audio WA-84 Small-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone (Nickel)

Warm Audio WA-84: The Natural KM84-Style Pencil Condenser in Nickel

The Warm Audio WA-84 is a small-diaphragm condenser microphone that recreates the classic KM84, the pencil condenser famous for natural, detailed capture of acoustic sources. Its fully discrete Class A circuit, CineMag USA transformer, and Fairchild FET reproduce the accurate, lightly vintage tone that made the original a studio staple. This single-microphone Nickel-finish model wears a classic studio look and is the everyday choice for acoustic guitar, drum overheads, piano, and strings. A switchable 0 or -10 dB pad lets it handle loud sources, while the cardioid pattern keeps the focus tight in busy setups. It ships with a shockmount, clip, windscreen, and carrying case, ready to place right away. For fast, natural, accurate capture of acoustic sources, the WA-84 is a proven choice.

How a Small-Diaphragm Condenser Works

A small-diaphragm condenser, often called a pencil microphone, uses a tiny charged diaphragm and backplate to capture sound with exceptional speed and accuracy. Because the diaphragm is small and light, it responds to fast transients and high frequencies with more precision than a large-diaphragm mic, which is why pencil condensers are the classic choice for acoustic and percussive sources. That signal is amplified inside the microphone by a field-effect transistor and runs on standard 48V phantom power, so setup is simple. A cardioid pattern keeps the focus on the source in front and rejects the rear, helping control bleed in multi-mic setups. The trade-off for a small capsule is slightly higher self-noise than a large diaphragm, offset here by careful circuit design. Understanding that speed and accuracy explains why the KM84-style sound is so prized on acoustic instruments.

Discrete Class A, CineMag Transformer, and Fairchild FET

The WA-84 is built as a fully discrete Class A circuit, meaning its gain stages use individual components running in the smooth, detailed Class A mode rather than a single integrated chip. That signal passes through a CineMag output transformer made in the USA, a component that lends the microphone its cohesive low end and a touch of vintage character. A Fairchild FET handles the capsule's high-impedance signal, and polystyrene and WIMA capacitors shape an accurate, vintage-correct tone throughout. These are the same class of premium components Warm Audio uses across its acclaimed lineup, chosen to track the original KM84 rather than approximate it. The result is a natural, detailed sound with just enough character to feel musical. It is the parts inside that make this more than a generic pencil condenser.

Controls and Sources That Shine

The WA-84 includes a switchable pad offering 0 or -10 dB, raising its maximum SPL to 133 dB so it can take loud drum overheads and close percussion in stride. On acoustic guitar it captures string detail and body without harshness, and on drum overheads and hi-hat it renders cymbals with natural, airy definition. It is equally at home on piano, mandolin, and other stringed instruments, and it excels as an orchestral and ensemble microphone where accuracy matters. Live sound and broadcast engineers value its detailed, controlled tone and its compact, easy-to-place body. The cardioid pattern helps isolate each source in busy multi-mic setups, keeping bleed under control. Wherever fast, natural, accurate capture is the goal, the WA-84 is in its element.

The Single WA-84 in Nickel

This configuration is a single WA-84 microphone in a classic nickel finish, ideal when you need one high-quality pencil condenser rather than a stereo pair. It makes an excellent first small-diaphragm mic for a home or project studio, handling acoustic guitar, percussion, and spot-miking with ease. The nickel finish gives it a timeless, vintage-inspired appearance that looks the part on a stand and on camera. Because it is a single microphone, it is an economical way to add or replace one channel in a larger microphone locker. Its included shockmount, clip, windscreen, and case make it ready to work out of the box. When one accurate, natural-sounding pencil condenser with classic looks is what you need, this is the model.