From Guitar World · · 1m 20s
Warm Audio WA-C1 Mod Chorus Vibrato Review
Warm Audio WA-C1 Mod delivers rich analog chorus and vibrato with switchable preamp bypass.
In brief
Warm Audio WA-C1 Mod delivers rich analog chorus and vibrato with switchable preamp bypass. Warm Audio WA-C1 Mod offers vintage chorus and vibrato sounds with preamp bypass for guitarists. Originally reported by Guitar World.
Quick answers
- What is it?
- The WA-C1 Mod is a compact analog chorus and vibrato pedal that captures vintage CE-1 character with modern features.
- What is the key takeaway from Warm Audio WA-C1 Mod Chorus Vibrato Review?
- Warm Audio WA-C1 Mod offers vintage chorus and vibrato sounds with preamp bypass for guitarists.
What is it?
The WA-C1 Mod is a compact analog chorus and vibrato pedal that captures vintage CE-1 character with modern features.
“The Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble arrived in the 1970s and helped put that lush, swirling analog chorus sound on the map”
Specs
Launch price: $199 | £199 | €229. 9V DC power. 200mA current requirement. 71 x 61 x 114 mm dimensions.
Build quality
Solid metal enclosure with textured finish and vintage-style knobs that feel substantial and easy to adjust.
“The metal enclosure feels solid and substantial, with a reassuring heft that makes it feel like a serious piece of gear rather than just another stomp box”
Usability
Single footswitch switches between chorus and vibrato with press-and-hold function for quick toggling.
“A quick tap of the footswitch turns the modulation on or off, while pressing and holding it switches between chorus and vibrato”
Sounds
Warm shimmer with low chorus settings creates width and color without blurring guitar tones.
“Setting the Chorus Rate and Depth fairly low produces a warm shimmer that gives open chords and picked passages a little extra width and color”
Preamp features
Vintage mode retains preamp when effect is off; Modern mode bypasses preamp for cleaner tone.
“Vintage keeps the preamp in the signal path even when the modulation is switched off, while Modern bypasses it when the effect is disengaged”
Why it matters
The WA-C1 Mod offers vintage analog sounds in a smaller pedalboard-friendly package for guitarists.
“It's an all-analogue chorus and vibrato pedal that aims to capture the character of the legendary ce 1 while introducing a few modern conveniences”
Reasons to buy
Warm analog chorus with depth and movement; dedicated vibrato section; switchable preamp; hi-z setting.
“+ Warm, lush analog chorus with plenty of depth and movement”
Reasons to avoid
No independent footswitch; rear switches awkward to reach; 200mA power requirement.
“- No independent footswitch for changing between chorus and vibrato”
Verdict
The WA-C1 Mod delivers rich, expressive sounds with a smaller footprint and preamp flexibility.
“There's a lot to love about the WA-C1 Mod, from its lush, swirling chorus to its rich, expressive vibrato”
The takeaway
Warm Audio WA-C1 Mod offers vintage chorus and vibrato sounds with preamp bypass for guitarists.
