WA-44

The WA-44 is a recreation of the classic RCA 44BX ribbon microphone. It is voiced for strong low end with a pronounced proximity effect, full midrange and a softened top end, and it handles loud sources well. Typical uses include lead vocals, horns, piano and room tone.

The ribbon element is 99.1% aluminum, 2.5 microns thick and made in Japan, matched to the length of the original. It works with a large neodymium magnet intended to give a strong magnetic field and midrange detail. A USA-made CineMag transformer carries the signal to the preamp, aiming for vintage-style tone with modern reliability.

The microphone operates in a figure-8 polar pattern, picking up sound from the front and rear while rejecting the sides, which allows deliberate use of room reflections through placement. The body is rugged metalwork weighing over six pounds. A Warm Lifter inline active preamp is suggested as a companion, and a manual and product registration are available from the maker.