One big tip for anyone using this preamp: even if you don't want to change the eq on your source, engage the eq button on this preamp because it passes the signal through another transformer and it incredibly sweetens the sound. If you don't want to change the eq, then set the knobs so it is flat on the eq. Since my favorite mic is warm sounding, I add a very tiny bump to the mids and highs to add more air and sweetness to the sound. I just barely turn the eq knobs to raise the frequencies that help my mic. Before I purchased this preamp, I read a review that explained how the eq section on this preamp engages another transformer and this is why I purchased this model rather than the cheaper model without the eq section. Another tip: don't use a hardware compressor that colors the audio source if you use this mic preamp, because you will change the beautiful sound of this preamp if you use a colorful compressor. For an amazing transparent compressor at an amazing price, take a look at the FMR RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor.
In mixing, there are no rules, only things that maybe you should know. If the color compressor works for a particular sound while using this pre amp, then use it. If it works, use it, if not, scrap it
Great sound from the 73 but could you tell me how you hooked up you electric guitars to the73 to get the tone switch to change the tone as you were recording the tracks?
Maybe so, but I can achieve the same thing with any Neve 1073 emulation plugin. I've a/b checked this (WA-73 vs Waves Scheps 73 plugin and some other plugins) and there's almost no difference, at least nothing that would justify 900 dollars.
@@supersonicsroots Plugin dont stand a change with any hardware, they can do solid work for some thing, but for to large dynamic range as singing always do poor job, which ends up with lots of automation since low parts are too low , high too high. Good hardware preamp and opto compression fix thing tremonedously,.later you mix it additionally with plugins with to make it sounds perfect.
@@DadoSimicStudiostriver actually, I am a singer too.. and I've never had that much dynamic difference that I would need more. Maybe you're right, but 9 out of 10 times you won't need that. And if you do, then I guess I'd adjust my dynamics in my singing.
Oh and about automation, I don't need that a lot, mostly just for one or two notes or lines, to automate that is a breeze. I really couldn't justify such expensive gear just for that. But it all depends on your budget, needs etc.
Very interesting test, thanks for your time doing it. I felt the bass with the extra saturation engaged sounded much more finished and ready for mixing. In general all the instruments were in a much more state of closer to mixing .
Nice comparison, thanks for the video! Btw, the tone button does not change the sound of the preamp but the load that's applied to the source (your mic/guitar/bass) output. This done by changing the input impedance of the preamp. Lower impedance -> more load on the output.
Good video man, thank you! It's not a placebo to my ears. The WA sounds more "stable" and one could probably say saturated. The tone button adds more bite and forwardness. Always a little difficult with different takes, but with multiple sources it seems obvious anough. Yes, do a "plugin" video plus cranking the gain and EQ if you haven't already.
funny enough I liked the 'tone engaged' more for the acoustic and less for the electric, which is the opposite for you... I guess it's all about taste :) thank you for the review !
The reason they think to include an equaliser along with a preamp in your channel strip is because it is always best to get the right sound before it goes into your board or interface. Every move made by the mix engineer is destructive and you want there to be as little as possible needing to be done to it after it enters into that domain
Great sound from the 73!! Could you tell me Your input chain for the bass and electric guitar as to going into the 73 so that the tone switch would change the guitar’s tone while you were recording the tracks?
Muchas gracias siento no poder dirigirme a vosotros en inglés, mi pregunta es muy sencilla has probado o alguno de los aquí presentes el Heritage audio élite SQ? Qué diferencia hay de este W a 273? Por favor si alguno quiere responderme que sea en castellano español, desgraciadamente no sé inglés ja ja ja gracias un saludo para todos
@@ecedorsay it definitely gives professional results! And at this price it’s way more affordable than the neve. I would love a neve if I could afford one but this will for sure do the job if you want it to sound good!
Have the WA73EQ, happy with the preamp but disappointed with the EQ. Concentric pots on the EQ feel very cheap (sloppy) and UAD 1073 eq (soundwise) does a better job. I also have the WA76 and although I don't regret buying either the WA73EQ or the WA76 the quality of the hardware is well below the originals. If you have the money look elsewhere.
I have one. I mostly got it for a vocal chain. I'm currently deciding on if I should buy a 2nd one because I like tracking with stereo mics, but I'm also trying to decide if it's worth saving up for or not. Don't get me wrong, I love my wa73 eq, but it would take a bit to save up for one and I'm wondering if there's better ways to invest that money. Great video btw!
Look into Zzounds.com. They have good payment plans. I getting one next month, I know it’s hard to save up, check out their options if you haven’t yet. I have a dbx286s for voice overs and some vocals, but I want this for vocals and that little something that analog gives.
From the manual: “ when [the tone button is] engaged the input impedance of the WA73 is 300 ohms. When disengaged, the input impedance of the WA73 1200 ohms” . Hope that helps!
@@Breeze_b_hard sure sure, my large studio monitors and headphones are not enough.. minor differences in mids, lame demo as it is, but hype and justification of silly purchase does create psychological effect, as science proves
I agree, the minimal difference that can be heard, is actually pretty easy to level out with simple plugins. I have a Presonus tube pre-amp and that's actually the same thing, but is has a compressor built in and a drive knob for the tube. It's very subtle, but it does add saturation. It also has EQ with a Q knob. But again, all this can be leveled out or achieved with the right plugins. I think the cheap Presonus tube pre-amp adds even more character to the sound than the WA-73. It makes my starting sound on vocals and d.i. guitar better, so I'll have a flying start. But the WA-73 only has EQ and no compression option or tube drive (although you can drive the input of course). So, all good and well... I think paying close to 900 dollars for a pre-amp that delivers a tone that I can achieve in 1 minute with 2 plugins also... seems pretty overkill to me.
One big tip for anyone using this preamp: even if you don't want to change the eq on your source, engage the eq button on this preamp because it passes the signal through another transformer and it incredibly sweetens the sound. If you don't want to change the eq, then set the knobs so it is flat on the eq. Since my favorite mic is warm sounding, I add a very tiny bump to the mids and highs to add more air and sweetness to the sound. I just barely turn the eq knobs to raise the frequencies that help my mic. Before I purchased this preamp, I read a review that explained how the eq section on this preamp engages another transformer and this is why I purchased this model rather than the cheaper model without the eq section. Another tip: don't use a hardware compressor that colors the audio source if you use this mic preamp, because you will change the beautiful sound of this preamp if you use a colorful compressor. For an amazing transparent compressor at an amazing price, take a look at the FMR RNC1773 Really Nice Compressor.
In mixing, there are no rules, only things that maybe you should know. If the color compressor works for a particular sound while using this pre amp, then use it. If it works, use it, if not, scrap it
Just ordered this unit. Thanks for the tip. Was planning to bypass the eq but im gonna actually try running the eq as flat. never thought of that
Oh man thank you! Most videos only show audio with preamp but no comparison with straight audio interface. This helps a lot!
I’m glad it was helpful!
Great sound from the 73 but could you tell me how you hooked up you electric guitars to the73 to get the tone switch to change the tone as you were recording the tracks?
It really thickens up the acoustic sound. Especially when it Tone is engaged.
It also feels like it adds a more depth to the signal.
Maybe so, but I can achieve the same thing with any Neve 1073 emulation plugin. I've a/b checked this (WA-73 vs Waves Scheps 73 plugin and some other plugins) and there's almost no difference, at least nothing that would justify 900 dollars.
@@supersonicsroots Plugin dont stand a change with any hardware, they can do solid work for some thing, but for to large dynamic range as singing always do poor job, which ends up with lots of automation since low parts are too low , high too high. Good hardware preamp and opto compression fix thing tremonedously,.later you mix it additionally with plugins with to make it sounds perfect.
@@DadoSimicStudiostriver actually, I am a singer too.. and I've never had that much dynamic difference that I would need more. Maybe you're right, but 9 out of 10 times you won't need that. And if you do, then I guess I'd adjust my dynamics in my singing.
Oh and about automation, I don't need that a lot, mostly just for one or two notes or lines, to automate that is a breeze. I really couldn't justify such expensive gear just for that. But it all depends on your budget, needs etc.
Very interesting test, thanks for your time doing it. I felt the bass with the extra saturation engaged sounded much more finished and ready for mixing. In general all the instruments were in a much more state of closer to mixing .
Nice comparison, thanks for the video! Btw, the tone button does not change the sound of the preamp but the load that's applied to the source (your mic/guitar/bass) output. This done by changing the input impedance of the preamp. Lower impedance -> more load on the output.
Thanks bro… u helped me make the decision whether to get one of this.. nice 👍
The built in pre sounds...meh
The WA adds body warmth and focus. The tone add transformer sounds. It’s a keeper 👍🏻
Good video man, thank you! It's not a placebo to my ears. The WA sounds more "stable" and one could probably say saturated. The tone button adds more bite and forwardness. Always a little difficult with different takes, but with multiple sources it seems obvious anough. Yes, do a "plugin" video plus cranking the gain and EQ if you haven't already.
if im using my pedalboard with my DI box? where im gonna put my signal? please reply thank you
funny enough I liked the 'tone engaged' more for the acoustic and less for the electric, which is the opposite for you... I guess it's all about taste :) thank you for the review !
Agreed! music is all subjective and about taste! I'm glad you enjoyed the review, thanks for watching!
The reason they think to include an equaliser along with a preamp in your channel strip is because it is always best to get the right sound before it goes into your board or interface. Every move made by the mix engineer is destructive and you want there to be as little as possible needing to be done to it after it enters into that domain
I agree about the acoustic guitar 100%. I sure would like to hear the EQ.
It helps especially in the high end
Great sound from the 73!! Could you tell me
Your input chain for the bass and electric guitar as to going into the 73 so that the tone switch would change the guitar’s tone while you were recording the tracks?
What are the monitors you are using..??
Muchas gracias siento no poder dirigirme a vosotros en inglés, mi pregunta es muy sencilla has probado o alguno de los aquí presentes el Heritage audio élite SQ? Qué diferencia hay de este W a 273? Por favor si alguno quiere responderme que sea en castellano español, desgraciadamente no sé inglés ja ja ja gracias un saludo para todos
Can you also make a video with raw vocals? Soft singing then loud singing. please.
If i could sing well I would! Next time I work with a singer I'll try to get an A/B test!
@@dirtbirdmusic do you think one would want a Neve in the future or Warm gives professional results?
@@ecedorsay it definitely gives professional results! And at this price it’s way more affordable than the neve. I would love a neve if I could afford one but this will for sure do the job if you want it to sound good!
Good info!
Glad it was helpful!
Have the WA73EQ, happy with the preamp but disappointed with the EQ. Concentric pots on the EQ feel very cheap (sloppy) and UAD 1073 eq (soundwise) does a better job. I also have the WA76 and although I don't regret buying either the WA73EQ or the WA76 the quality of the hardware is well below the originals. If you have the money look elsewhere.
Helo, a year later how do you feel about it? Also would you say having the eq is worth it? I’m asking cause I’m looking at the Wa73 without the eq.
I use it all the time and still love the unit! I don’t use the eq a ton though. I tend to do most processing after I record . I hope that helps!
@@dirtbirdmusic
I Appreciate the feedback. Thank you.
Adding another year how you finding it and why aren’t you using the EQ ?
I know you’re not asking me but I like it. Did get it without eq
What was the mic you were using?
Warm Audio 47 jr
Thank you. And distance from the guitar?
I have one. I mostly got it for a vocal chain. I'm currently deciding on if I should buy a 2nd one because I like tracking with stereo mics, but I'm also trying to decide if it's worth saving up for or not. Don't get me wrong, I love my wa73 eq, but it would take a bit to save up for one and I'm wondering if there's better ways to invest that money. Great video btw!
Look into Zzounds.com. They have good payment plans. I getting one next month, I know it’s hard to save up, check out their options if you haven’t yet. I have a dbx286s for voice overs and some vocals, but I want this for vocals and that little something that analog gives.
Changes the impedance from what to what? 300 and 1200? 600 and 3000?
From the manual: “ when [the tone button is] engaged the input impedance of the WA73 is 300 ohms. When disengaged, the input impedance of the WA73 1200 ohms” . Hope that helps!
@@dirtbirdmusic what would you say is the best inpedence level for rap vocals? 3k or the on the lower side around 300?
do you use the eq much? or not needed?
check my most recent video I use the eq on some drum tracks!
really niceeeeee
to much talking buddy
Too*
@@dirtbirdmusic yup you got me 🤥
not much better than di preamp on the interface
I strongly disagree, If you are listening on a good playback system you should definitely hear a big deference.
Get new ears buddy
@@Breeze_b_hard sure sure, my large studio monitors and headphones are not enough.. minor differences in mids, lame demo as it is, but hype and justification of silly purchase does create psychological effect, as science proves
@@jazzbass321 get a new less drone-consumer hyped brain before trying to hear actual sound
I agree, the minimal difference that can be heard, is actually pretty easy to level out with simple plugins. I have a Presonus tube pre-amp and that's actually the same thing, but is has a compressor built in and a drive knob for the tube. It's very subtle, but it does add saturation. It also has EQ with a Q knob.
But again, all this can be leveled out or achieved with the right plugins. I think the cheap Presonus tube pre-amp adds even more character to the sound than the WA-73. It makes my starting sound on vocals and d.i. guitar better, so I'll have a flying start. But the WA-73 only has EQ and no compression option or tube drive (although you can drive the input of course). So, all good and well... I think paying close to 900 dollars for a pre-amp that delivers a tone that I can achieve in 1 minute with 2 plugins also... seems pretty overkill to me.
Good info!