The Warm Audio WA-C1 is a stereo chorus and vibrato pedal, an all-analog recreation of the famous original chorus/vibrato pedal it is modeled on: the Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble of 1976. Warm Audio says it carries all of the vintage tones, functionality, and vibe of that original, with added controls that the CE-1 never had. It was announced in September 2024 alongside the Pedal76 compressor, at an MSRP of $1891234.
What the WA-C1 does
The WA-C1 covers the two things the original CE-1 did: chorus and vibrato. Like the lauded original, it has a dedicated vibrato section, and an always-on 100% analog preamp that Warm Audio says adds character to the signal15. MusicRadar describes that preamp as "a reproduction of that musically honeyed preamp," with independent chorus and vibrato sections, each with their own Depth and Rate controls, and a footswitch to toggle between the two modes4. A second footswitch bypasses or engages the effect4.
The big functional difference from the CE-1 is in the controls. On the original, depth and rate moved together in chorus mode; on the WA-C1, as guitar.com's reviewer Josh Gardner put it, "you now have depth and rate controls to tweak the wobble and warble of your sound to taste as opposed to increasing the rate and the depth together"65. Warm Audio's own framing is that you can go beyond the limitations of vintage pedals by dialing in more subtle depth at the same varying rates, for a larger palette of chorus tones4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Depth (chorus and vibrato sections) | Sets the intensity of the wobble independently of rate46 |
| Rate (chorus and vibrato sections) | Sets the speed of the modulation independently of depth46 |
| Mode footswitch | Toggles between chorus and vibrato4 |
| Bypass footswitch | Engages or bypasses the effect4 |
| Hi-z slider switch | Shifts the voicing between a 70s and an 80s character14 |
The hi-z switch is the WA-C1's other notable addition. Warm Audio says that when you engage it, "the chorus instantly transforms from a 70s color to an 80s color, with added upper-mids and treble"1. MusicRadar describes the 80s side of the switch as having the more polished sheen of extra upper-mid and high-end content4.
In terms of size, guitar.com found the WA-C1 to be about the size of a standard double-wide dual-switch pedal, a smaller footprint than the mains-powered original6. Around the back are outputs to run the pedal in mono or stereo4. Warm Audio lists its applications as electric guitar, electric keys, and more1.
History: a take on the Boss CE-1
The WA-C1 is based on the legendary CE-1 Chorus Ensemble, the chorus pedal Boss released in 1976 and produced until the mid-eighties42. The CE-1 itself came about as a reaction to the many fans of Boss's two Jazz Chorus amps, the JC-60 and the JC-120, whose built-in chorus players wanted in pedal form7. It was a mains-powered unit featuring both chorus and vibrato modes, with stereo capability2.
Warm Audio's designer intent, as guitar.com's reviewer saw it, was not a straight clone: "Warm Audio has made a genuine effort to enhance and evolve the iconic blueprint to make it more usable here in 2024"6. The added depth and rate controls, the hi-z switch, and the smaller battery-friendly form are the visible results of that effort146.
The WA-C1 also has a compact sibling. In October 2026, Warm Audio released the WA-C1 Compact MOD, a smaller stereo chorus/vibrato pedal described as a CE-1 take with chorus, vibrato, input-sensitivity, impedance and bypass MODs5. Warm Audio's own Mod Series page calls the WA-C1 Chorus/Vibrato Mod a pedalboard-friendly recreation of what it calls the most celebrated all-analog chorus in guitar pedal history, with additional no-compromise features for exploring legendary modulated tones8.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com reviewed the WA-C1 in October 2024 and summarized its verdict as "Great classic sounds"6. MusicRadar's launch coverage quoted Warm Audio's Bryce Young on the launch: "This launch is exciting and unique for us, we've applied the Warm formula to deliver the OG of bold chorus sounds"4.
"With the WA-C1, you can go beyond the limitations of vintage pedals by dialing in more subtle depth and the same varying rates for a larger palette of chorus tones"
For players weighing it against other CE-1-inspired options, the WA-C1's pitch is the combination of an all-analog BBD circuit, independent depth and rate controls, and a $189 price, where original CE-1s are long-discontinued 1970s designs12.
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Questions
Is the Warm Audio WA-C1 analog?
Yes. Warm Audio describes the WA-C1 as 100% analog, built as a true-to-original recreation of the CE-1 using premium components such as the MN3007 Xvive BBD chip. It also carries an always-on 100% analog preamp, like the original pedal it is based on.
Does the WA-C1 use an MN3007 BBD chip?
Yes. Warm Audio states that the WA-C1 uses the MN3007 Xvive BBD chip. Bucket Brigade Device chips are the delay-line components behind the lush midrange depth and detail that analog chorus pedals are known for.
What does the hi-z switch do on the WA-C1?
The hi-z slider switch toggles the input sensitivity and voicing. With it engaged, Warm Audio says the chorus transforms from a 70s color to an 80s color, with added upper-mids and treble. MusicRadar describes the 80s setting as having the more polished sheen of extra high-end content.
Can the WA-C1 run in stereo?
Yes. The WA-C1 is a stereo chorus and vibrato pedal with outputs that let you run it in mono or stereo, matching the stereo capability that made the original Boss CE-1 notable.
Sources (8)
- Warm Audio WA-C1 Chorus Vibrato Pedal, Warm Audio
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME (www.tonehome.de)
- “Delivers the OG of bold chorus sounds. We're thrilled to authentically bring that tone back to pedalboards”: Warm Audio debuts its take on the revered vintage chorus beloved by John Frusciante, Guitar World, 2024-09-25
- “This launch is exciting and unique for us. We've applied the Warm Formula to deliver the OG of bold chorus sounds”: Warm Audio dishes up a vintage-inspired analogue double act with the WA-C1 Chorus Vibrato and Pedal76 compressor, MusicRadar, 2024-09-24
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-10-02
- Warm Audio WA-C1 chorus review, guitar.com, 2024-10-11
- Behringer unleashes the Chorus Symphony, gearnews.com, 2025-01-29
- MOD Series, Warm Audio
