Mojave MA-100

[The Chemist]

I was VERY unimpressed with this mic.

Flat, metallic sounding, no life at all.

Anyone else unimpressed with it?

[mwagener]

A few weeks ago we did a recording at 16-Ton studios here in Nashville with nothing but Mojave and Royer "off the shelve" mics, it came out amazing, not just good, but amazing. We used the console pres of the tube console and a couple of APIs, no EQ and the only compressor was the Chandler TG-1 on the two room mics. I really like the MA-100, we had it on snare, toms guitar amps and acoustic guitar.

[The Chemist]

Well, after seeing what you used it for, I'll try it again. It gave me bad results for overheads. But Acoutic and snare I'll try.

Thanks.

PS: perhaps I should try it through the HHB Radium 50. I used it through Some Focusrite Digimax.

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by The Chemist

Well, after seeing what you used it for, I'll try it again. It gave me bad results for overheads. But Acoutic and snare I'll try.

Thanks.

PS: perhaps I should try it through the HHB Radium 50. I used it through Some Focusrite Digimax.

And? I'm still hoping to hear more opinions on the MA-100's, which just don't seem to get much mention good or bad.

[fifthcircle]

Just used them on a classical recording in ORTF and they were nothing short of amazing. The ensemble was violin, cello, oboe, clarinet/bass clarinet, and piano. Also used them on acoustic guitar on some bluegrass/folk music and they were one of the only mics on the entire session that needed absolutely no EQ or manipulation of any sort.

--Ben

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

Just used them on a classical recording in ORTF and they were nothing short of amazing. The ensemble was violin, cello, oboe, clarinet/bass clarinet, and piano. Also used them on acoustic guitar on some bluegrass/folk music and they were one of the only mics on the entire session that needed absolutely no EQ or manipulation of any sort.

--Ben

Cool, thanks for that. Can you also tell us what other mics you used on this session, and what pre's for the Mojave mics?

[fifthcircle]

The classical session had everything going through a Grace 801 and Mytek converters. I had a bunch of Royers out for the instruments, but ended up needing almost none of them- R122 on the winds, 122V on the strings and an SF24 in mid-side on the piano. The other session was part of a choral session. Huge setup there- Royer prototype mics (can't and won't say what) and Schoeps MK4 on the choir, Senn 8040, Lawson47, etc... on vocals (different soloists), SF1 on dobro, M160 on fiddle, KM140 on dulcimer, KM140 on Mandolin, M930s on piano, Demeter tube DI on bass, Mojave MA 100 on acoustic guitar, MA 200s on overheads, 57 on snare, and an SE Z3300A on kick.

Pres were Grace, A-Designs Pacifica, DAV BG2, Pheonix Audio DRS2 (think that was the number, it was on loan), API 312 (A2D)... Converters were Lavry Blue, Mytek and my Digi002R.

Guitar went through the DAV, Overheads through the Pacifica.

I may post a couple samples if I can get permission...

--Ben

[joeq]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

I may post a couple samples if I can get permission...

--Ben

CLIPS! CLIPS! CLIPS! CLIPS!

[seanmccoy]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

The classical session had everything going through a Grace 801 and Mytek converters. I had a bunch of Royers out for the instruments, but ended up needing almost none of them- R122 on the winds, 122V on the strings and an SF24 in mid-side on the piano. The other session was part of a choral session. Huge setup there- Royer prototype mics (can't and won't say what) and Schoeps MK4 on the choir, Senn 8040, Lawson47, etc... on vocals (different soloists), SF1 on dobro, M160 on fiddle, KM140 on dulcimer, KM140 on Mandolin, M930s on piano, Demeter tube DI on bass, Mojave MA 100 on acoustic guitar, MA 200s on overheads, 57 on snare, and an SE Z3300A on kick.

Pres were Grace, A-Designs Pacifica, DAV BG2, Pheonix Audio DRS2 (think that was the number, it was on loan), API 312 (A2D)... Converters were Lavry Blue, Mytek and my Digi002R.

Guitar went through the DAV, Overheads through the Pacifica.

Wow, so the MA-100's were standouts amongst some heavy hitters! Very encouraging! Thanks for the details.

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

The other session was part of a choral session. Huge setup there- Royer prototype mics (can't and won't say what) and Schoeps MK4 on the choir, Senn 8040, Lawson47, etc... on vocals (different soloists), SF1 on dobro, M160 on fiddle, KM140 on dulcimer, KM140 on Mandolin, M930s on piano, Demeter tube DI on bass, Mojave MA 100 on acoustic guitar, MA 200s on overheads, 57 on snare, and an SE Z3300A on kick.

Pres were Grace, A-Designs Pacifica, DAV BG2, Pheonix Audio DRS2 (think that was the number, it was on loan), API 312 (A2D)... Converters were Lavry Blue, Mytek and my Digi002R.

Guitar went through the DAV, Overheads through the Pacifica.

I may post a couple samples if I can get permission...

--Ben

If you're referring to the Angel City Chorale recording I'm sure there would be no problem posting clips. In fact if you go to www.angelcitychorale.com and click on the "Road Home" CD you'll find 60 sec samples.

I was the producer on this gig and can say that Ben did an incredible job of simultaneously recording rhythm section, bluegrass ensemble, soloists and a 100 voice choir in a less than optimal church environment. We shunned the clean and transparent (and to me uninspiring) traditional classical approach in favor of vibey preamps, ribbon and fun LDC mics, and so forth. It was great fun.

I'm not sure which Mojave is which, but I do know we used the large diaphragm Mojaves as drum OHs and they sounded fantastic.

I'm sure once Ben recovers from the shock of it all he could wax on.

-R

[fifthcircle]

Yup... That would be the recording... Not to get too far off subject, Here's a photo of our control room. Feel free to lust:

8 channel Grace 801, 4 channels Vac Rac, 4 Channels DAV BG2, 2 Channels A Design Pacifica, 2 Channels API A2D (312 preamp), 4 channels Phoenix Audio DRS-2. 8 Channels Mytek, 8 channels Lavry.

Yup.. Could have done worse...

--Ben

[Duardo]

I used one a while back on a quick recording on a ukulele and acoustic guitar, run through an API 512c...sounded pretty good to me. It was just for a demo and I didn't compare it to anything else, but I didn't see any need to do so...