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X/Y StereoMid-Side StereoBlumleinMojave Audio MA-202ST

Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Stereo Microphone

The MA-202ST is a unique dual-capsule, multipattern stereo tube condenser microphone. It was announced at Winter NAMM (January 2009), at which only one or two prototype models existed. The mic was originally expected to be launched at AES 2009, but was subsequently delayed due to the economic climate. As of the 2010 Winter NAMM, Mojave had no current plans to put the mic into production.

The large-diaphragm capsule is similar to that of the MA-200. Both have dual diaphragms, although in the MA-200 the rear diaphragm is not sputtered nor wired into the circuit. In the MA-202ST, both front and rear diaphragms (of both capsules) are sputtered and active (depending on the pickup pattern).

David Royer and the MA-202STThe power supply provides twin pattern selection controls, enabling both the top and bottom capsules to be set to any of 9 pickup patterns. This enables single-point XY-stereo (with both capsules set to cardioid, offsetting the top capsule 90°), mid-side (with the front-facing capsule set to cardioid and the “side” capsule offset 90° and set to figure-8) or Blumlein (with both capsules set to figure-8, 90° opposed).

David Royer suggests that additional useful recording options can be achieved by “tweaking” the traditional mid-side setup, e.g. by setting the “mid” channel to a wider or narrower cardioid pattern.

The mic body contains two 5840 subminiature tubes, wired in a cathode-follower circuit. In this way, the preamp circuit more closely resembles the MA-100 rather than the MA-200; the design was chosen because it allows the two output transformers (provided by Jensen) to be located in the power supply case rather than within the mic body.

The Mojave Audio MA-202ST is also known as: MA-202, 202ST.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
X/Y Stereo (n/a mV/Pa; n/a)
Mid-Side Stereo (n/a mV/Pa; n/a)
Blumlein (n/a mV/Pa; n/a)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm
n/a
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
n/a n/a n/a
    Power Specifications
    • Includes tube power supply

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