Warm Audio WA-C1 Warm Chorus Vibrato

A Reference Analog Chorus, Faithfully Recreated

The Warm Audio WA-C1 was designed as a faithful recreation of a legendary analog chorus, which has become a pedalboard standard for its rich modulation and instantly recognizable signature. This type of texture is found in guitarists with very expressive playing and iconic sounds, capable of moving from crystalline arpeggios to thicker rhythms without losing definition.

This sonic identity is based on a carefully crafted analog architecture and a signal path designed to preserve attack, dynamics, and the "amp" feel under the fingers. The goal is not to smooth the sound but to dress it: adding movement, width, and musical depth while keeping the character of the guitar and pickups.

Who the WA-C1 Is For: From 80's Clean to Grunge Grit, in Studio and on Stage

The WA-C1 is aimed at guitarists seeking an authentic chorus/vibrato with real presence in the mix. On an ultra-clean amp, it delivers typical 80's sounds: wide pads, bright arpeggios, open chords that breathe and expand. Conversely, placed in front of a slightly dirty amp or with some gain, it becomes a formidable tool for rougher textures and very "classic" grunge colors, where modulation adds movement without making the sound muddy.

It suits both intermediate players and demanding musicians: the controls are simple enough to quickly find "the" sound, while offering enough precision to refine the tone depending on the guitar (single coils, humbuckers), the amp, and the pedal's position in the chain. In home studios, its ability to add width without artifices is appreciated. Live, the dedicated Chorus/Vibrato switching facilitates texture changes between song sections.

Controls, Switching, and Connectivity: Analog Modulation Built for the Pedalboard

The WA-C1 emphasizes fine control. Where some choruses settle for two potentiometers, Warm Audio offers separate depth and speed controls for both chorus and vibrato. The result: you can achieve a subtle chorus that "thickens" without being noticeable, or push the depth for more pronounced, almost liquid effects, while adjusting speed to stay locked to the song's tempo.

The Hi/Low input sensitivity selector and input level control allow adapting the pedal to different guitars and output levels, maintaining a good balance between clarity and warmth. At the rear, the Hi-Z selector helps optimize interaction with certain setups (depending on pedal order, pickup type, or perceived impedance), a crucial point when seeking a coherent analog response and natural feel.

With its 2 footswitches (On/Off and Chorus/Vibrato), the WA-C1 is designed to be played as a true musical tool: activate the effect for a section, switch to vibrato for a more psychedelic passage, then return to chorus to widen a chorus. The two outputs also allow using a two-amp setup to create a very wide stereo space, particularly spectacular on clean sounds, delays, and reverbs.

The Sound

The WA-C1 delivers dense analog modulation with that "3D" quality sought by vintage chorus enthusiasts: broad movement, slight musical coloration, and a sense of depth that respects the original grain. The chorus can be subtle, simply thickening and slightly smoothing the attack, or more pronounced for bright, rock/pop-typical textures with immediate width. The vibrato pushes pitch modulation further: perfect for expressive lines, ambient soundscapes, hypnotic intros, or more radical effects when increasing depth and speed.

Thanks to the analog preamp and quality electronics, the pedal maintains good dynamics and responsiveness to playing: lowering the guitar volume increases clarity and subtlety; playing harder keeps the modulation present without collapsing. In stereo, the sense of openness becomes very immersive, ideal for filling space on stage or recording wide guitars without multiple takes.

Technical specifications

Effects	Chorus	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Grey
Type	sector

Input sensitivity selector	Hi/Low	Output level	315 mV
Control	input level	Jacks	1 input, 2 outputs
Chorus controls	depth, rate	Dimensions (mm)	165 x 97 x 41
Vibrato controls	depth, rate	Weight	453 g
2 footswitches	effect On/Off, Chorus/Vibrato	Consumption	800 mW
Integrated circuits	3 Texas Instruments operational amplifiers, 11 discrete transistors, 3 FETs, 19 diodes, 2 MOSFETs	Required power supply	9 V
BBD chip	Xvive MN3007 (high quality)	Current	90 mA at 9 V
Input sensitivity	80 mV / 10 mV