Mojave Audio
Mojave MA-200
Large-diaphragm valve (tube) condenser, fixed cardioid, with an external power supply
Power External valve power supply, 100, 115 or 220-240 V AC, 50 or 60 Hz, about 10 W.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −37 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 51%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 66%
- Self-noise
- 14 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 59%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 60%
- Max SPL
- 120 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 3%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 3%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 36% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 34% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 7% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 7.
"FREQUENCY RESPONSE", "20Hz – 20kHz, ±2.5dB"; relative dB. Distance, room and smoothing not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 1-inch diameter, gold-sputtered, 3-micron diaphragm, single-sided"1-inch diameter, gold sputtered, single-sided"; "3-micron". The product page calls it a "K67 Style Capsule ... based on German U67 and U87 style microphones". | p. 5 |
| Sensitivity | −37 dBV/Pa"-37 dB re. 1V/pa"; the 2009 manual (p. 6) adds "±1.5dB". | |
| Self-noise | 14 dB(A)nominal; not to exceed 16 dB. "14dB nominal, not to exceed 16dB (A weighted)". | |
| Max SPL | 120 dB SPL"MAXIMUM SPL: 120 dB"; distortion is "<1% @117dB SPL, <3% @ 125dB SPL" (head amp only). The 2009 manual gives an output clipping level of 136 dB at 1 kHz instead (see the extra specs). | |
| Output impedance | 200 ohmtransformer balanced. "200 ohms, transformer balanced"; the cut sheet adds "(Jensen)". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"20 Hz-20kHz, +3dB"; the graph is captioned "20Hz – 20kHz, ±2.5dB" (p. 6) and the product page says "+/-3dB". | |
| Powering | external valve power supply, 100, 115 or 220-240 V AC, 50 or 60 Hz, about 10 W"100, 115 or 220-240 volts AC at 50 or 60 Hz. Power consumption approximately 10 watts." The supply is switched between voltages (p. 4). | p. 6 |
| Connector | XLR-5 (microphone to power supply)"five-pin XLR connectors between the microphone and the power supply". The supply feeds the preamp through a standard 3-pin microphone cable (p. 4). | p. 3 |
| Weight | 454 gPrinted "Microphone: 7 5/8 X 2, 1 lb."; converted. Case with microphone, supply, shock mount and cables: 13 lbs. | p. 5 |
| Dimensions | 194 × 51 mmPrinted "7 5/8 X 2" (inches; length and diameter, units not printed); converted. | |
| Supplied accessories | AC power supply; 16-foot 5-pin microphone cable; shock mount; AC power cable; presentation case; carrying caseItems 1-6. The 2009 manual lists an aluminium carrying case, a European thread adapter on the shock mount and a warranty card. | p. 2 |
| Valve | NOS 5840 (military grade 5840W) sub-miniature pentode, wired as a triode | p. 5 |
| Output transformer | Jensen (2006 cut sheet, 2009 and 2021 manuals); "Custom Mojave transformer" on the product page | p. 3 |
| Distortion | Head amp only: <1% at 117 dB SPL, <3% at 125 dB SPL | p. 5 |
| Warm-up | About ten minutes; at least thirty minutes before first use | p. 3 |
| Mains fuses | T500mAL for 100 and 120 V AC, T250mAL for 220 V AC | p. 4 |
| Weight in case | 13 lbs (case with microphone, supply, shock mount and cables); shipping weight 14 lbs (13.5 lbs in the 2009 manual) | p. 6 |
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Output clipping level | 132 dB at 20 Hz, 135 dB at 32 Hz, 136 dB at 100 Hz, 1 kHz and 10 kHz | p. 6 |
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Designer | David Royer | p. 1 |
Documents
- MA-200 Vacuum Tube Condenser Microphonemanual, "MA200 Manual 2021"
- MA-200 Vacuum Tube Capacitor Microphonemanual, "MA200 Manual 2009"
- MA-200 Condenser Microphonecut sheet
- MA-200product page
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Mojave Audio, unchanged, with its original address.