Description

The Mojave Audio MA-300 is mic designer extraordinaire, David Royer’s modern take on the celebrated tube mics of the 1950s

A multi-pattern, large-diaphragm tube condenser mic, the Mojave MA-300 features a 15dB pad, bass roll-off below 100Hz with a 6dB per octave slope, and a hand-selected, dual diaphragm 3-micron capsule. Built with nothing but the finest components, including a high-quality Jensen transformer and military-grade JAN 5840 vacuum tube, the Mojave MA-300 has the detailed transient response you expect from a condenser mic, but without the shrill, high-frequency distortion artifacts that often occur with modern condensers. The MA-300 gives warm, full-bodied reproductions of vocals and instruments, and is suitable for recording even the most demanding music. Like all of David Royer’s creations, the Mojave MA-300 uses nothing but the finest components and materials, ensuring stellar sound quality and reliable performance for years to come with minimal maintenance. Best of all, the Mojave Audio MA-300 performs on a par with some of the best-loved classic tube condensers of all time at a significantly lower price.

 Mojave Audio MA-300 condenser microphone in one take:

• Remotely controlled, continuously variable polar pattern selector
• Switchable 15dB pad
• Switchable bass roll-off
• Hand-selected, 3-micron, double diaphragm capsule
• Jensen audio transformer
• Military grade JAN 5840 vacuum tube
• Internal switchable power supply voltage
• Ultra clean signal path

  Mojave Audio MA-300 tube condenser mic in depth

Built for long-term reliability and performance reminiscent of the most highly regard tube mics designed in the mid-1950s, the MA-300 features a hand-selected, double diaphragm, 3-micron, dual-membrane gold-sputtered capsule, high-quality Jensen audio transformers, and military-grade JAN 5840 vacuum tubes. The MA-300 also features a specially designed shock mount assembly. By clever use of ear-tested, modern components, the MA-300 emulates the performance of the classic tube microphones without using esoteric, unreliable, or hard to find components.

The vacuum tube head-amplifier of the MA-300 delivers wide bandwidth and low noise operation. It uses a sub-miniature vacuum tube, which is a military-grade 5840W new old stock that will deliver excellent performance for many years. A specially designed, high-quality Jensen audio output transformer delivers an isolated, truly balanced output signal, minimizing the possibility of unwanted noise entering the preamplifier. The MA-300 includes a 15dB pad and a bass cut switch.

For international use, the power supply of the MA-300 can be set via an internal switch for 115V and 230V, 50Hz or 60Hz operation. (100V is also available). Each MA-300 microphone, power supply, and cable set is burned in for 24 hours, carefully tested and evaluated, then packaged in its protective case-within-a-case.

Continuously variable polar patterns

Rather than fixed polar patterns, the MA-300 adapts to all environments with a continuously adjustable polar pattern selector, which is a rotary knob found on the front panel of the power supply. The selector lets you choose omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure eight, or a point in-between. Depending on the source, mic placement, and room characteristics, a point in between will yield the most favorable result. For example, setting the selector to a 2 o’clock position can be an especially pleasant pattern for recording vocals.
Also, for close miking of an acoustic guitar in cardioid, rotating the selector towards omni (counterclockwise) can reduce excessive proximity effect (unwanted bass buildup).

 Bass roll-off

When engaged, the bass roll-off switch, also known as bass cut or high-pass filter, provides a 6dB per octave attenuation below 100Hz. This is very useful in removing unwanted low frequency information such as HVAC noise, rumble, or bass build-up due to proximity effect. A common practice of experienced engineers is to filter out low frequencies when it does not affect the sound. A good example of this would be recording vocals, which in most cases have little frequency information below 100Hz; so engaging a filter will help maintain the integrity of the signal.

15dB pad

The 15dB pad attenuates the signal before the head amplifier in the microphone. This is very useful for recording high SPL signals. If you are experiencing distortion, engaging the pad will likely be the solution.
Additionally, even with the input gain control all the way down on some preamps, there’s still a certain amount of gain. If you have the gain on your mic preamp all the way down and the signal is still over-driving your signal path, engaging the pad would be the answer.

Mojave Audio MA-300 recommended applications:

(Anywhere you would use an expensive, large diaphragm tube microphone)

• Vocals
• Voice-over and broadcast
• Acoustic instruments
• Piano
• Drum overheads, drum room mics
• Orchestral recording
• Choral recording

  Items included with the Mojave Audio MA-300:

• MA-300 microphone inside an aluminum style carrying case
• AC operated microphone power supply
• 16-foot microphone cable with 7-pin male and female connectors
• MA-300 shock mount and European adapter (fitted to shock mount)
• AC power cable for power supply – molded IEC business machine type with plug
• Rugged carrying case for all above items

A tube condenser to rival the best of the classics at a fraction of the price, The Mojave Audio MA-300 is a worthy addition to your mic locker. For more information, call or chat with your Westlake Pro Audio representative today

 Mojave Audio MA-300 specifications:

• Transducer type: Externally polarized, pressure gradient capacitor; double diaphragm
• Diaphragm: 1-inch diameter, gold sputtered
• Diaphragm thickness: 3-microns
• Polar response: Continuously variable from omnidirectional to figure eight
• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +/-3dB at “flat” setting of bass cut switch
• Bass cut: 6dB per octave attenuation below 100Hz
• Sensitivity: -37db re 1V/pa
• Maximum SPL: 120dB with pad off; 135dB with pad on
• Distortion: < 1% @ 117dB SPL, < 3% @ 125dB SPL with pad off; < 1% @ 132dB
• SPL, < 3% @ 140dB SPL with pad on
• Self-noise: 14dB nominal, not to exceed 16dB (A Weighted)
• Pad: 15dB
• Bass cut: 6dB per octave below 100Hz
  

Dimensions and weight:

Carrying case with microphone, power supply, shock mount 
and cables: 13 lb.

Microphone: 7-5/8″ x 2″, 1 lb.