Warm Audio Retro 64: A Recreation of a Pioneering 1950s Dynamic Mic
The return of the "Buchanan Hammer".
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Warm Audio Retro 64: A Recreation of a Pioneering 1950s Dynamic Mic · Source: Warm Audio
The eye-catching Warm Audio Retro 64 reimagines a classic public-address and broadcast mic with an affordable design, ideal for modern recording.
As ever, Warm Audio continues to connect the dots of recording history for a new generation of musicians and producers, unearthing gems that influenced the sounds we love and making them accessible.
Warm Audio Retro 64
The Warm Audio Retro 64 is a recreation of the Electro-Voice 664, which was the first dynamic mic to introduce the EV “Variable-D” system into the design for counteracting the proximity effect. This would be used in subsequent designs, such as the famous RE20, which is still available today and used extensively in recording, and as a worthy YouTube alternative to the SM7B.
These design elements, combined with the humbucking dynamic capsule that has been specifically tuned for live sound applications, give the Retro 64 a present upper midrange and a slight bump in the lower mids. Of course, this makes it a great choice for vocals both on stage and in studio, but the Retro 64 delivers great results on a range of other sound sources too.
The excellent off-axis rejection makes it feedback-resistant and great for tracking vocals in the control room with the monitors cranked a la Bono from U2. In addition, the Retro 64 is an excellent choice for guitar amps, brass instruments, snare drums, toms, and percussion instruments like congas and bongos. What’s more, it’ll look and sound great on your YouTube channel.
Overall, the Retro 64 is a great live vocal mic for theatres and smaller venues, but it can be used on backing vocals in any situation because the mic position is usually fixed, and the feedback resistance can deal with noisy stage environments. Also, it’s a great addition to your studio’s mic locker, adding another flavour to your recording recipe book.
Pricing and availability:
The Warm Audio Retro 64 is currently available for pre-order. Get it at Thomann.*
Bryce Young, President of Warm Audio: “We’re excited to extend our dynamic mic lineup with this new addition. The Retro 64 was a fun project, requested by some of our key partners who wanted to see the vibe of this retro design come back to the stage. The design is a classic, but we knew we wanted to deliver a modern sound, so we custom-tuned a dynamic capsule purpose-built for today’s live sound environments.
It captures the visual vibe of a classic 1960s microphone but instantly fits into any FOH setup with clarity, consistency, and none of the squeal or harshness that plagues engineers. It’s designed to feel immediately familiar to engineers while offering performers a mic that looks as good as it sounds”.
More about the Warm Audio Retro 64
*Note: This article about the Warm Audio Retro 64 contains affiliate links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
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