Tula Mic vs Warm Audio WA-87 R2
A side-by-side look at Tula Mic and Warm Audio WA-87 R2 for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Tula Mic
A dual-capsule USB mic and standalone recorder that fits in your pocket
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Check price on Amazon
Warm Audio WA-87 R2
U87-style FET condenser with three polar patterns at a fraction of the price
See site
Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Tula Mic | Warm Audio WA-87 R2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Podcasters and field recorders who need one device for both studio USB recording and standalone portable capture | Studio-focused podcasters who want professional multi-pattern condenser flexibility without spending on a Neumann |
Key features
Tula Mic
- 16-bit / 48kHz resolution
- USB-C connectivity
- Dual cardioid and omnidirectional condenser capsules
- 8GB internal storage for standalone recording
- Built-in rechargeable battery (up to 12 hours recording)
- Klevgrand Brusfri onboard noise reduction
Warm Audio WA-87 R2
- Frequency response 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Switchable 80 Hz high-pass filter and -10 dB pad
- Large-diaphragm FET condenser XLR, requires 48V phantom power
- Three polar patterns: cardioid, omni, and figure-8
- NOS Fairchild transistor and Cinemag USA output transformer
- Maximum SPL 125 dB (132 dB with pad engaged)
Pros and cons
Tula Mic
Pros
- Only USB mic in class with built-in recorder and battery
- Burr Brown op-amps deliver a clean, warm preamp character
- Dual capsule (cardioid and omni) without pattern switching complexity
- Pocket-sized for truly portable podcast recording
Cons
- 16-bit/48kHz ceiling - not high-res audio
- Premium price partly driven by portability premium
- Requires firmware update for optimal performance on first use
Warm Audio WA-87 R2
Pros
- Three polar patterns enable cardioid, omni, and figure-8 recording configurations
- Premium passive components (Fairchild NOS transistor, Cinemag transformer) at accessible price
- U87-inspired voicing with full, present character
- High SPL ceiling handles a wide range of sources
Cons
- Condenser sensitivity demands acoustic treatment
- Requires 48V phantom power
- Multi-pattern capability is underutilized in basic solo podcast setups
The verdict
Choose Tula Mic if
Podcasters and field recorders who need one device for both studio USB recording and standalone portable capture.
The Tula Mic is genuinely unlike anything else in this category. The combination of a quality USB-C condenser with honest 12-hour standalone recording capability and real noise reduction processing in a pocket-sized form factor is a product design win. The…
Choose Warm Audio WA-87 R2 if
Studio-focused podcasters who want professional multi-pattern condenser flexibility without spending on a Neumann.
The WA-87 R2 is the most honest U87 homage on the market - Warm Audio builds it with premium passive components and does not hide what they are doing. The cardioid pattern sounds full and detailed, with the characteristic presence…