Hands-On Inspection of Every Product In Austin, TX
What’s behind our industry-leading warranty? It’s rooted in our hands-on approach to inspecting 100% of Warm Audio products with a process that meets & exceeds the quality standards of hand-built boutique products. Every piece of studio gear we ship to retailers is meticulously unboxed, visually examined, and technically tested by trained technicians with a passion for making music—all here in Austin, TX, USA.
Tested, Tuned, & Trusted
Before any Warm Audio product leaves our US facility to be shipped to retailers globally, it undergoes a comprehensive hands-on inspection. We don’t take shortcuts. Every item is completely unboxed and thoroughly evaluated, with both cosmetic and technical functionality checks.
Visual Inspection: No Detail Overlooked
Every surface is closely examined for cosmetic imperfections or damages that could affect functionality. We remove any debris or fingerprints and apply polish if needed to ensure a flawless finish. We straighten knobs and switches to ensure they align perfectly with the silkscreen printing and operate smoothly. Each unit is wiped down with care, so it arrives looking pristine, ready to inspire confidence when unboxed.
Our trained technicians dedicate time and attention to every detail because we know that even the smallest imperfection can affect your experience.
Microphone Testing
Each microphone undergoes a meticulous evaluation process to ensure it delivers the sonic clarity and reliability you expect. Here’s how we do it:
Technicians warm up their auditory perception by listening to a room reference mic. Microphones are powered on for 1-2 minutes. Every polar pattern is tested through 360-degree rotation. We ensure all polar settings work flawlessly, and none of the in-between options cut the signal. The Pad and HPF (High Pass Filter) functions are checked where applicable.
"A close listen ensures no unwanted pops, crackles, or other noise artifacts—especially critical for tube microphones."
Shock and hard mounts are tested to ensure a secure fit, with checks on threading, elbow joints, and cosmetic appearance. We even manipulate the microphone cable to confirm a strong, uninterrupted signal.
Each microphone is evaluated to ensure it’s stage- and studio-ready, capable of capturing your music with stunning accuracy.
Frequency Sweep Testing for Microphones: Ensuring Consistent Quality
In addition to inspecting individual products, we frequently batch test microphones to maintain tight production tolerances. Here’s how:
In our world-class studio at Warm Audio HQ we perform regular frequency sweep testing. Each mic is set up approximately 15 feet away from a speaker and subjected to a frequency sweep.
Results from multiple mics are plotted on a graph alongside a reference mic to compare frequency responses.The batch data is analyzed to ensure the production matches the standards of the reference.
This process ensures that every microphone you receive performs consistently and reliably, meeting the high standards that Warm Audio is known for.
Microphone Preamp Testing
Our preamp testing process ensures pristine signal amplification without unwanted noise or distortion:
We test noise levels with precision in a controlled environment. At Warm Audio, we have a dedicated Iso booth for testing. Each QA station has a line running into an industry standard dynamic microphone located inside the iso booth. With the preamp connected to the booth and volume maxed out, we listen for buzzes, pops, or other anomalies in the signal.
"The purpose of this setup is to allow our technicians to hear the noise floor of the preamp by listening to a mic plugged into it, with no outside noise interfering."
This ensures the preamp delivers the clean, quiet performance required for professional recordings.
All switches are tested for responsiveness and functionality. Where applicable, frequency options for EQ are tested to ensure proper operation. The 48v phantom power is engaged and tested with a desk mic. Both inputs are tested to confirm signal passing and optimal sound quality.
Your preamp is now ready to deliver professional results and precise signal integrity from the moment you wire it up in your studio.
Compressor Testing
Our compressors are evaluated for accuracy and sonic integrity to ensure precise dynamic control: Uncompressed audio tracks are run through the compressor one by one to best measure various aspects of the circuit, including the input amplifier, output amplifier, sidechain functionality, and overall dynamic control and tone. Whether its 1K tone for our WA-2A, a final mix dance track for our BUS-Comp, a drum track for our WA-1B, or a technical computer test for measuring signal for our WA-76A/D series,
"each test is customized to ensure the circuit performs according to our strict specifications."
We then calibrate the unit to ensure the meter displays accurate gain reduction. After calibration, we test the unit again for meter accuracy and sound quality. Finally release time is evaluated, with calibration adjustments as needed to achieve the correct timing.
Every compressor is fine-tuned to deliver the dynamic control you need to enhance your tracks.
Guitar Pedal Testing
Our guitar pedals are designed to inspire creativity, and
"our testing process ensures they perform flawlessly."
A guitar track is fed into every pedal, and all pots are checked for smooth, accurate functionality.The footswitch is engaged repeatedly to ensure it operates reliably under all conditions.
If any inconsistencies or flaws are discovered, our musically talented trained techs will get out a guitar and test for what the customer may experience to best identify the issue before sending the pedal to our repair team to fine tune.
After a 360-degree visual inspection, each pedal is carefully repacked to be shipped to an authorized Warm Audio retailer for purchase & placement on your board.
What if we find a flaw?
At Warm Audio, perfection is non-negotiable. If we discover any flaws during inspection, we take immediate action to ensure the product meets our standards:
For cosmetic flaws, we can sometimes repair right in-house. We update knobs, switch out faulty VU meters, or replace dimmed/non-functional LEDs. Then the product goes back through the inspection process.
If a unit fails and the repair techs don't see an obvious technical issue,we bring out the oscilloscope. This sound wave testing device is used for tracing the signal going through the circuit board. The oscilloscope allows us to identify and isolate errors in the signal path, guiding our team on which individual components or connections need to be revised to ensure 100% accuracy in the signal & circuit. Using a compressor as an example, the oscilloscope helps us target specific issues with the amount and type of compression being applied to sound waves, visualizing the issue so our team can act fast after reviewing inconsistencies in the waveforms against model “control” units.
Our proactive repair process guarantees that no product leaves our facility unless it is performing flawlessly.
Warm Audio makes it possible for more music makers than ever to own accurate recreations of the most desirable studio equipment ever invented. As part of our commitment to superior quality - spanning from our all-analog circuitry to premium components to unmatched reliability - our 5-year warranty is more than just a promise. It’s a testament. A testament to the passion, precision, and hands-on care we pour into the quality control of every product.
From unboxing to the final testing, our hands-on QA process means you can have complete confidence when you hit record.