Mojave MA-200 Review / Test (vs. C414, LM103, C100, U67)

Today I review a tube mic from MOJAVE, the MA-200. This is a cardioid only condenser mic and it has a sound that seems fitting for modern pop with a clear mid section and airy top end. It is very sensitive to low end rumble and it picks up a lot of the room you're recording in so you'll need to be aware of that.

Buy the Mojave MA200(Affiliate Link)

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: ~2:00
Boosted in Post: +5dB

SPECS:
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz
- Sensitivity: -37dB
- Self Noise: 14dBA
- Max SPL: 1% = 117dB, 3% = 125dB
- Impedance: 200 Ohms
- Tube: 5840

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer
00:22 - What’s in the Box
00:49 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:30 - Specifications
01:41 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:38 - Plosive Test
02:24 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:47 - Background Noise Test
03:03 - Untreated Room Test
03:23 - Shock Rejection Test
03:39 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:59 - High End Audio Interface Test
04:38 - Analog Preamp Test
05:24 - Intro to Comparison
05:53 - Mojave MA-201 Fet Comparison
06:21 - AKG C414 XLII
06:48 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
07:16 - Sony C100 Comparison
07:50 - Soyuz SU-023 Bomblet Comparison
08:20 - Lauten Audio FC387 Atlantis Comparison
08:57 - Telefunken TF-51 Comparison
09:30 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:12 - Neumann U67 Reissue Comparison
10:54 - Music Test
12:20 - Pros & Cons
13:53 - Overall Thoughts
15:01 - Recommendation
16:26 - Outro

#Tube #Condenser #MicReview

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): If you purchase an item using an affiliate link, it provides me a small referral fee. As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

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[lionheartroar]

Beautiful results with this feature microphone. A very smooth crystal clear high end and evenly balanced across all frequencies. It has an open clean sound that I've only found in two other brands. Worth every dollar!

[RadicalRumin]

Immediate thoughts; super clear. I could definitely use some de-essing, it reminds me of the lewitt tube mics. the low end and low mids sound like they may be quite rich, but they're a bit far away.

I did really like it for the singing on the music test!

[yochillsmith]

I’m on the market for a tube mic, I was looking at Lauten Audio LA 320, the Telefunken TF51 and the Warm Audio WA 8000, still leaning towards the Warm Audio but the price of the LA320 is calling me.

Sidenote* your channel is the first one I go to for Mic reviews. Thank you for the great work, I hope you realize how important your videos are 👌🏿

[michaelj.]

MA 200 seems to be a great value to me...liking it thanks Andrew

[mistermusicenterprise]

I bought one of the first 15 Years before and i do almost all my records with the Mojave MA200. I love it, and I had them all. Best support. Best Mics.

[nickineedhammusic]

This is excellent! Exactly what I needed, thank you!

[VuxCollects]

For what it's worth, I've used this microphone for the past 4 years and it just crapped out. Has a "wind blowing" sound that slowly gets worse the longer it's in use. Loved it prior to this issue though, going to see if they will provide any help to remedy it.

[Hugmir]

Great comparisons. Thanks for including the Atlantis!

[paulheitsch]

Just left a comment in the Community page requesting a comparison of this mic and the U67. So... never mind.

So far I've shot the MA 201 out with maybe a couple dozen other mics, (including a TF29, a 414, an AT 4033, the Lauten Oceanus, a Lawson L47, and Peluso P67), and I've always come back to it. I'm an audiobook narrator, and have recorded over 300 titles with it so far. Pretty much everything you've observed about it (including how much of the room it picks up), confirms what I felt like I've been hearing. Thanks for validating my choice!

PS ~ one other con - for whatever reason Mojave chose to solder the tube directly to the PCB, so, the first two times I needed to replace the tube, I had to send the microphone out to someone who knew what they were doing. I'm now learning how to solder circuit boards, so that I can do future tube swaps myself.

[Freez_Izzy]

MA201 FET sounds really good. Underrated.

[muchammadnurwibowowibi]

For singing vocals, would you prefer Warm Audio WA-251 or WA-47 or this Mojave MA-200? Seems you had WA-47 when comparing with WA-251

[jagpreetsingh]

Can you also please check out and review AKG p820, the cheapest tube condenser mic from AKG?

[EternalMomentsVideos]

Is it just me or the tlm 103 sounds phenomenal? I've been reading so many comments (gearspace etc.) bashing this mic and calling it essentially a harsh garbage. It sounds so full and has that sizzle/shine on top without being too ESS-ie. I ordered one to pair it up with my wa73. Was it a smart choice? 🤔

[Mikey__R]

Maybe buy the FET mic plus a valve preamp / compressor?

[larrymarso]

AKG C414 😮The OC818 is no longer in the mix?

[WanRunItUp]

this is the closest sounding mic to the Vintage U67 BUT it definitely has an original sound to it. it doesn't mimic a lot of the legendary mics like a lot of other brands try to recreate. Mojave out of all brands are definitely right under Neumann and Telefunken Quality and Sonically. Moat slept on mic brand to date

[dcoverzsessions]

this is better from telefunken tf51 in the mids?

[semilumi]

I clicked on the link to hear the words "Greetings, earthlings!". Was not disappointed.

[slikjmuzik]

You won't know if it's really worth $6k more until you go to post processing and see how it takes to plugins. You can tell the top end of the 67 just takes to EQ nicely.

[coffeehigh]

hi PODCASTAGE, do you enjoy a good hunk of chinese food from time to time ?