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CardioidMojave Audio MA-50

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The MA-50 is Mojave’s entry-level microphone, and first transformerless microphone. It is a large-diaphragm condenser with a fixed Cardioid polar pattern.

It shares a capsule with Mojave’s MA-200 and MA-201 FET; it is a K67 style capsule with a 32mm outside diameter.

Dusty Wakeman

The challenge for David [Royer] on this one was to solve some of the problems that transformerless mics inherently have. [For example] transformerless mics are really bad at handling transients.

The MA-50 may be Mojave’s first transformerless design, but David Royer has been involved in transformerless microphone technology for quite some time:

David Royer

The time tested Royer active ribbon microphones [such as the Royer R-122] are also “transformerless” in a sense: the transformer in the Royer microphones is between the ribbon and the output stage. The output stage [of the R-122] is a buffer stage with a gain of just under unity and superficially similar to circuits that have long been used in transformerless condenser microphones.

When I did the Royer active circuitry, I learned what to watch out for and I applied those lessons in circuit design and parts choice to the Mojave MA-50.

The Mojave MA-50 comes with a shock mount and carrying case. The case is designed to hold both the mic and shock mount.

The MA-50 was released in 2016.

Permalink: Mojave Audio MA-50

The mic was released in 2016.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (10 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 26mm
Capsule diameter: 32mm
Diaphragm gauge: 3 microns
100 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 125 dB
Self-noise: 16.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
454g (16.01oz) 194mm (7.64'') 51mm (2.01'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power

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