Mojave Audio MA-201fet Review

Mojave Audio continues to knock it out of the park with its excellent range of microphones. The Calafornian-based company has another hit on its hands with the MA-201fet. It is a highly capable microphone with a distinct character. But is it for everyone? Not quite. In this review, we take a closer look at this large diaphragm condenser microphone.

The Mojave Audio MA-201fet offers warm and vibrant sound within a rock-solid housing that can handle the rigors of frequent use. But in a cluttered market, it does face some strong competition, especially at this price point.

Features

The MA-201fet is another example of the team’s expertise at Mojave Audio. This impressive microphone handles vocals and instruments with definition and ample character. But it also isn’t without some quirks that you’ll need to consider. Let’s check it out.

Sound Quality

If you buy into the marketing behind the Mojave Audio MA-201fet, you’ll see they recommend it for a broad range of applications. Everything from vocals, voice-over, electric guitar, drums, and acoustic instruments, and for the most part, it lives up to expectations.

The MA-201fet features a cardioid polar pattern, making it an excellent choice for vocal recordings, whether that is singing or speech. The presence and character of this microphone is rich and detailed, but it leans darker than some might expect.

Highly versatile cardioid microphone.

In practice, the darker tone does add body and richness to your recordings. Still, it might also be a little too dark for deeper voices, making them a little too sunken in the recording. In some situations, this isn’t a massive drawback, but I can foresee some vocalists becoming frustrated with the additional darkness.

On the flip side, this darker tone also results in a much smoother top end compared to other condenser microphones I’ve tested. I don’t mind a slight boost in the top end as it often adds some sparkle, but I’ve seen many microphones push this a little too far with slightly shrill results. The MA-201fet doesn’t suffer from any of those issues.

“Exceptionally rich and warm tonality. A superb choice for female vocalists.”

Keep in mind there is no built-in pop filter, so you’ll need an appropriate pop filter or shield to mitigate plosives. A simple addition and with low distortion on the microphone itself, you’ll be able to easily capture clean and highly workable recordings that respond well to EQ.

Overall, the MA-201fet is a solid performer for vocals and speech, albeit with a unique character that might not be appropriate for everyone. Let’s move on to the other potential applications for this microphone, namely how it handles instruments.

In this area, the MA-201fet once again offered richness and detail across a wide array of instruments. I especially like this microphone for piano recordings. It retains authenticity without excessive air in the recording.

While I enjoyed it as a piano microphone, it also held up well with acoustic guitars, string instruments, and woodwinds. As a catch-all option to have in your locker, you could do a lot worse, and considering its price point, it performs above expectations.

As for drums, this is a serviceable microphone. It does feature a decent Max SPL level, but other microphones have more headroom. Despite this, it is a solid choice, especially as an overhead, and not unworkable for louder elements like kick drums.

After putting the Mojave Audio MA-201fet through several scenarios, it is clear that it meets the brief it set out to achieve. A warm microphone that retains detail and clarity without excessive color while offering high versatility.

Specifications

The Mojave Audio MA-201fet features a stock standard frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz. Exploring the response graph highlights how smooth the top end is, with a consistent response all the way to the upper end—restrained and controlled. The gradual roll-off on the lower end is also smooth.

Other microphones offer a higher Max SPL.

The self-noise rating of 14dB A weighted is a little higher than I would like but still well below some competitors at this price point. It also wasn’t as apparent when recording as I thought it might be. I still wouldn’t opt for this microphone for recordings where low noise is essential, but you won’t experience an excessive degree of noise if you do need to reach for it.

The Max SPL of 125dB is generally enough to handle most situations. With under 1% distortion at 120dB and under 3% at 134dB, the recordings will remain clean and hassle-free even when dealing with excessive levels. But if you deal in extremes, other microphones offer a higher ceiling.

It is also worth highlighting the high impedance of 550 ohms. You’ll need to ensure you have an appropriate signal chain to handle this microphone with solid and dependable mic preamps.

Design

I’ve always had a soft spot for the aesthetic design of Mojave Audio microphones. Their entire range has a consistency and sleekness that instantly inspires confidence that what you have in your hand is a fantastic product.

The clean cylindrical shape with a stylish vintage grey finish blends effortlessly into any studio setting. The iconic Mojave logo is the only hint of embellishment in an otherwise restrained and simple design. 

Simple and attractive aesthetics.

From a technical perspective, the MA-201fet features an XLR connection point, but it does lack some of the additional bells and whistles that other modern microphones offer.

The MA-201fet doesn’t feature a pad or any high-pass filters, and it only offers one polar pattern. To some, this might make the MA-201fet seem a little undercooked. But to me, this is an exercise in refinement with a distinct and centralized purpose.

Despite lacking additional features, the MA-201fet is still a highly versatile microphone with fantastic internal components and performance that punches well above its price point.

Build Quality

Another exemplary feature of all Mojave Audio microphones is the high build quality, and that is the case with the MA-201fet. Dependable and reliable quality from head to toe.

The MA-201fet features a hand-picked gold-sputtered 3-micron 1-inch capsule with a high-quality Jensen audio transformer and a military-spec field-effect transistor. Add to this custom-designed, low-noise resistors, and there is no questioning the high attention to detail present.

Top-notch components.

This high attention to detail extends to the included accessories. The ultra-tough protective case will keep your microphone in tip-top shape between uses. The padding is superb and has space for the included shock mount, which is also high quality.

In a world plagued with disposable products, the Mojave Audio MA-201fet shines as an example that you can still buy high-quality products built to last for years. If you demand quality from your studio gear, the MA-201fet fits the bill perfectly. 

Dimensions

The Mojave Audio MA-201fet retains a similar shape to other Mojave Audio microphones. The cylinder is long but not outside of the range of what you expect from a high-quality condenser microphone. But there are shorter options out there if you don’t like the MA-201fet’s length.

Stylish cylindrical shape with a good level of heft.

As for weight, the MA-201fet comes in at 1 lbs. (453 grams). Once again, it is not dissimilar to what most high-quality large diaphragm condenser microphones weigh. It’s not overly heavy but hefty enough to give you the feeling of holding a premium piece of studio gear.

Value

As a sub $1,000 microphone, the Mojave Audio MA-201fet represents good value, especially when you consider that some microphones can stretch into the multiple thousands. Does it stand toe to toe with those choices? No. But within this price bracket, it performs well above expectations.

The included case is superb.

If you are setting up your first studio and working with a limited budget, there are cheaper entry-level microphones you can explore. Many of which offer excellent performance. But if you are ready to move beyond that range, the MA-201fet is a superb choice. The addition of a high-quality storage case and the shock mount also adds to the value on offer.

While the MA-201fet might appear lacking in features, it is highly versatile and a great addition to a studio where you need a microphone for multiple tasks. Excellent stuff from a company that seems to have a knack for balancing price with performance.

Customer Reviews

The Mojave Audio MA-201fet has proven to be a popular choice with a large number of positive 4 and 5-star reviews across a wide array of retailers. There is a consistent thread that links most of the reviews, and that is the high-quality sound and versatility that the MA-201fet offers.

Quick Tips For Recording Piano

As with many recording situations, there is never a one-size-fits-all solution, but these quick tips should help you get the most out of your shiny new microphone and have you capturing stunning piano recordings sooner rather than later.

Generally, the best way to record a piano using a large condenser microphone like the Mojave Audio MA-201fet is to position the microphone around 2-3 feet above the strings and slightly towards the hammers.

It is possible to capture great piano recordings with one microphone.

This placement captures a balanced sound, capturing both the richness of the lower register and the clarity of the higher notes. However, it is essential to experiment with the angle and distance to find the ideal spot that suits the specific piano and room acoustics.

I also recommend that you keep a close eye on your recording levels to avoid clipping and, if need be, adjust the gain accordingly to ensure you attain the cleanest recordings possible.

Alternatives

This price point is among the most competitive in the microphone market. All the top manufacturers have enticing offerings in this range. Below, I explore some alternatives to the Mojave Audio MA-201fet that might better meet your needs.

Soyuz 1973 FET Review

The Soyuz 1973 FET is another highly capable FET microphone with a distinct tonality that bridges the gap between old and new.

• A rich vintage sound profile that harkens back to the analog golden age.
• Short and stumpy design with a switchable 10/20dB pad.
• Not as versatile as the MA-201fet.

Audio-Technica AT4050 Review

Another popular choice in this price bracket is the Audio-Technica AT4050. This feature-packed option offers excellent sound and high versatility.

• Excellent tonality that works well for vocals and instruments.
• Switchable polar patterns for various recording tasks.
• Not as rich and warm as the MA-201fet.

Neumann TLM 102 Review

The final option I want to highlight is the impressive TLM 102 from legendary microphone manufacturer Neumann. Superb quality and outstanding sound.

• Sublime capturing across a wide range of studio tasks.
• Ultra-tough construction and high SPL capability.
• Doesn’t come with a shock mount or case.

Should You Buy?

When I think of the brands I trust the most in the microphone space, Mojave Audio easily makes the list. Exceptional quality, thoughtful, and purposeful design from a team with a true passion for the industry.

The MA-201fet is an excellent addition to the Mojave Audio lineup and a microphone I can comfortably recommend. While I admit the darker tonality might not be ideal in some settings, the MA-201fet offers ample versatility and lush sound for most applications.

I especially see this as a stand-out option for female vocalists who won’t need to battle against the darkness in the lower range. But it is equally an excellent choice for instruments and drums. A well-built microphone that will make a wonderful addition to any studio setting.