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$5.99US $5.99CAN

VOL. TWENTY SIXNUMBER ONE

OCTOBER 2012USA $5.99 CANADA $5.99

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In our January 2012 issue we looked atMojave Audio’s MA-300 large-diaphragmtube condenser microphone, the new multi-pattern version of Mojave’s original cardioid-only MA-200 (reviewed January 2007).Similarly, the brand new MA-301fet underreview today is the multi-pattern partner toMojave’s solid-state cardioid-only MA-201fet(reviewed December 2009). If you are unfa-miliar with Mojave Audio, it is ribbon guruDavid Royer‘s other microphone company,home to all of his non-ribbon designs.

Family resemblanceA common theme at both Royer and

Mojave is that essentially each line containsa signature microphone or two, and then allsubsequent models are variants of thatdesign. The MA-301 uses the same body,head amp, and Jensen transformer as theMA-201, and the same double-sided cap-sule as the MA-300. (Similarly, the MA-200and MA-300 share the same headamp/tube stage and Jensen transformer.)

And just as the MA-300 extended uponthe features of the MA-200, the new MA-301fet adds features beyond just the multi-ple pattern choices of figure-8, cardioidand omni. There is also a 15 dB attenua-tion pad and a 6 dB/octave highpass filter.

With a matte black body, white etched let-tering and a black double mesh slopinggrille, the MA-301fet looks almost exactlylike the MA-201fet. The only difference is theaddition of the three-position pattern-selectorswitch on the front just below the capsule,and the pad and filter switches on the rear.

Presentation and buildThe MA3-01fet is of over-

seas origin, and while thismay seem like hyperbole, ittruly does not look or feel likea “cheap Asian import” inany way. This is a solid, heftymicrophone, and its 75/8" x2" brass body has an impec-cable fit and finish inside andout. As you would expect, itcomes as part of a kit thatincludes a black and silveraluminum briefcase and a sus-pension-style threaded shockmount.

Inside it is virtually the sameas all of the other large-diaphragm condenser mics inthe Mojave line, without thetubes. It has a dual-backplate,center-terminated K67 style cap-sule with a 1" gold sputtered, 3-micron thick dual diaphragm. Ituses a military-grade FET circuit,custom designed low-noiseresistors, and has a Jensen trans-formered output stage.

Some specsThe MA-301fet has a standard 20 Hz

to 20 kHz frequency response, and itsspecs differ only a dB or two from its car-dioid version with a –40.5 dB sensitivity(ref. to 1V/Pa), 120 dB SPL (135 dBpadded), and a self-noise of 14 dB nom-inal, not to exceed 16 dB (A-weighted).

If the frequency plots on the websiteare to be believed, interestingly the MA-301fet has slightly more in common soni-cally with the multi-pattern tube MA-300than it does with the solid-state MA-201fet, with a slightly higher low-endresponse and a more natural and evenhigh end. This most likely has to do withthe double capsule and back plate designshared by the 300 and 301fet models.

The same but differentGraciously Mojave let me hang onto the

previously reviewed MA-300 until comple-tion of this review so I could test-drive themtogether, and indeed they are definitely cut

from the same cloth. Having thetwo capsules, one on top of theanother and perfectly in phase,gave me a rare opportunity totruly hear the difference a tubemakes in an otherwise near-iden-tical design. Both mics exhibit asimilar balanced sonic fingerprint,strong tight low end and solidopen highs, with a slight mid dip.

In my MA-300 review I equat-ed that model to a fine wine thatwas “robust and full-bodied witha smooth finish and slightly smokysignature.” To describe the MA-301fet, simply remove the smokytop and some of the robustness inthe lows and you have a FETmicrophone that is still full bodiedand smooth. The MA-301fet is themore neutral sounding and lessimposing of the two, but it stopsshort of being too clinical or vanil-la. The best descriptive: naturalwith a slightly sweet top end.

Compared to my BraunerPhantom, a microphone that can beviewed as clinical sounding, the MA-

301fet was nowhere near as stark. Nextto my Shure KSM44, I was surprised tofind the two mics’ upper midrangeresponse to be similar, while the MA-301fet had a touch more low-mid oomphand its top end made the KSM44 seemslightly blunt by comparison.

In useI know it may be boring when you read

“this mic sounds good on pretty mucheverything”, but Mojave has crafted anall-around champ and there is no sourcethis mic won’t tackle with ease.

It is a well-rounded vocal mic, equally athome on male and female vocals. It is wellsuited to everything from modern pop—where it can help sit the voice comfortablyforward in the mix—all the way to smoothR&B and even jazzier leanings with avery natural tone.

It is also a good choice for clean,acoustic folk recording, on everythingfrom vocals to steel-string guitar, fiddle

B Y P A U L V N U K J R .

A solid-state version of this multipattern mic provides great sound at a great price

Mojave Audio MA-301fet

Excerpted from the October edition of RECORDING Magazine 2012©2012 Music Maker Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission.5408 Idylwild Trail, Boulder, CO 80301 Tel: (303) 516-9118 Fax: (303) 516-9119 For Subscription Information, call: 1-800-582-8326 or www.recordingmag.com

and percussion, especially when paired with one of the many“straight wire with gain” style preamps, in my case a Millennia HV-3D. In this instance it captures a nice “you are there” feel, but with-out sounding sterile.On the rock side the MA-301fet is a really nice choice for electric

guitar cabinets, and while it lacks the vibe and grit of the MA-300,it still works well since it allows the amp’s tone to sail though but with-out the painfully bright high-frequency exaggeration that commonlymakes me steer clear of LDC use on guitar cabinets.

Back in my MA-300 review you may remember that the onesource where I found the MA-300 a tad too smoky was ondrum overheads. In contrast, this may be one of the MA-301fet’s strongest uses. On overheads, or as a mono front-of-kitmic about 6 feet back, it displayed an open and honest soundthat still had enough silkiness in its highs to make the cymbalssound pleasant without too much eq or fuss in the final mix.On kick and toms it can also be great choice, but here it is a

case of the better the instrument and the tuning, the better yourresults will be. If you are looking to add punch and vibe, the MA-300 or the usual dynamic fare are probably a better choice.

ConclusionsWhile I love the MA-300 and its classic tube flavor, the MA-

301fet is easily the most versatile and well-rounded of theMojave line. This is one of those rare beasts that can do it all,do it well and do it with class. At $895 (street) it easily com-petes with models costing $500 to $1000 more. The MA-301fet makes capturing a great performance on a good instru-ment easy!

Price: $895 (street)

More from: Mojave Audio, www.mojaveaudio.com

Excerpted from the October edition of RECORDING Magazine 2012©2012 Music Maker Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission.5408 Idylwild Trail, Boulder, CO 80301 Tel: (303) 516-9118 Fax: (303) 516-9119 For Subscription Information, call: 1-800-582-8326 or www.recordingmag.com