The MA-100 is a small diaphragm, vacuum tube condenser microphone with interchangeable cardioid and omnidirectional capsules. The latest in a lineage of successful microphone designs by David Royer, the MA-100’s ‘cathode follower’ design allows use on high SPL instruments such as drums and guitar amplifiers, as well as the more common applications of a small diaphragm, vacuum tube condenser microphone, such as acoustic instruments, cymbals, stereo pairs and pianos.
Featuring hand selected 3 micron capsules, high quality Jensen audio transformers and military-grade JAN 5840 vacuum tubes, the MA-100 performs at a level reminiscent of some of the best loved classic small diaphragm tube condenser microphones. The MA-100 power supply can be set for either 115v or 230v via an external switch. Each MA-100 microphone, power supply and cable set is burned in for 24 hours, carefully tested and evaluated, then packaged in its protective case.
Small Diaphragm – Big Sound!
Why choose a small diaphragm microphone? Because small diaphragm microphones offer some distinct advantages over their larger brethren:
- More consistent polar pattern
- Better transient response
- Ease of placement
Why choose an MA-100?
- Extended low-frequency response
- High SPL handling capability – try putting your large-diaphragm mic on a snare drum!
Features
- Interchangeable cardioid and omnidirectional capsules
- Hand-selected 3-micron capsules
- Jensen audio transformer
- Military grade JAN 5840 vacuum tube
- External switchable power supply voltage
- Ultra clean signal path
- High SPL handling capability
Recommended applications
- Acoustic Instruments
- Drums
- Guitar Amplifiers
- Piano
- Stereo Pairs (X/Y, MS, etc.)
- Decca Tree
- Orchestral Recording
- Choral Recording
- Voice-overs and Broadcast
- Percussion
Additional Photos
Audio and Video
Technical Specifications
- TRANSDUCER TYPE: Externally excited capacitor type
- DIAPHRAGM: .8″ / 20.5 mm diameter
- DIAPHRAGM THICKNESS: 3 microns
- POLAR RESPONSE: Interchangeable Cardioid and Omnidirectional Capsules
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +/-3dB
- SENSITIVITY: -37dB re 1V/pa
- MAXIMUM SPL: 130dB
- DISTORTION: head amp only , not to exceed .4% @ 140 dB SPL
- SELF NOISE: Not to exceed 16dB
- IMPEDANCE: 450 ohms, transformer balanced
- VACUUM TUBE: 5840 pentode wired as triode, operated as a unity-gain buffer stage (cathode follower)
- POWER REQUIREMENTS: 100-120VAC; 220-240VAC, 50 or 60 Hz. Power consumption approx. 10 watts.
- DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT: Carrying case with microphone, power supply, shock mount and cables: 7 lbs.
Carrying Case: 14″x11″x4″
Microphone: 5.5″x.75″, weight .4lbs
Polar Pattern and Frequency Response
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