Mojave MA-37
A faithful recreation of the iconic Sony C-37a
Technical Grammy Award Winner David Royer’s modern take on a legend – the Sony C-37a. Known for its high headroom and ability to tame brittle high end, it became a workhorse in the 60’s, especially during the golden age of Hollywood recording – the “Wrecking Crew’ era. Studios such as Capitol Records and Sunset Sound acquired multiples, which are still used today. From Leonard Bernstein and the Columbia Symphony Orchestra and VO legend Mel Blanc (the voice of over 400 characters, from Bugs Bunny to Barney Rubble) though producer Daniel Lanois (U2, Peter Gabriel) and current artists, such as Bon Iver, the C-37a remains a ‘secret weapon’ microphone for those in the know. David states, “Sony took a completely different approach than Neumann and AKG, which made the C-37a a completely different animal”.
The Mojave MA-37 features an EF86 tube, Lundahl transformer and a special capsule hand-built in California. It features a unique mechanical approach, developed by RCA in the 1930s and adapted by Sony, to achieving a choice between cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns – an adjustable tuned acoustic chamber.
Ma-37 Features
C-37 Style Capsule
The MA-37 features a faithful reproduction of the original C-37A capsule, handmade in California
Blendable Polar Pattern
True to the original Sony C-37A, the MA-37’s polar pattern can blend between cardioid and omnidirectional via an adjustable backplate on the rear of the capsule
EF86 Tube
This handpicked tube provides the same sonic characteristics as the original Sony C-37A, in a more consistent and reliable build quality
- Handmade replica C-37A capsule
- Lundahl Transformer
- EF86 Vacuum Tube
- Blend between cardioid and omnidirectional patterns
- Compact and easy-to-position design
- Hi-pass filter controls
The Mojave MA-37 and History of the Sony C-37A // Mini-Documentary
The Technical mumbo jumbo
Specifications
- CAPSULE TYPE: Single diaphragm
- POLAR PATTERN: Choice of cardioid or omni; via mechanical shutter
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 30 to 18,000 Hz. ±3 dB (“M” setting)
- SENSITIVITY: -46 dBv referred to 1 volt per pa.
- MAXIMUM SPL: >135 SPL
- DISTORTION: Not to exceed .5 percent at 134 dB
- SELF NOISE: Better than 18 dB
- BASS CUT: M flat
- V1 -6dB at 50 Hz.
- V2 -6dB at 100 Hz.
- IMPEDANCE: 170 ohms, floating.
- Recommended load 1500 ohms or higher
- POWER REQUIREMENT: 115 or 230 VAC, 50 or 60 hertz; 5 watts.
- 6 volts DC at 200 mA.
- 140 volts DC at 1.5 mA. from dedicated
- power supply.
- DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT:
- Microphone – 6”x2” 1lb.
- Power Supply – 9.5”x7.25”x4.5” 5.5lb
- Case – 18.5’x13.5”x7” 16lbs.