Recording - December 2014 - 30

R E V I E W S B Y PA U L V N U K J R .

The MTR101 is a cardioid electret condenser with a distinctive "Art Deco" rounded head basket. It ships with a threaded
ring-style stand mount and sells for a
respectable $79.99. For $119.99 total,
you can add a shock mount and a clip-on
pop filter to the package as well.
For this review, I was sent the two stepup models, the MTR201 and MTR231.
Each of these models features a 1" goldsputtered capacitor diaphragm inside a flattopped head basket and comes as part of
a kit that includes the abovementioned
shock mount and pop filter, plus a hardshell carrying case. So what does one get
for the extra cash? Let's find out.
Meet the MTRs
Each microphone is housed in a 71/2"
long body/grille assembly with a 2"
diameter. While visually the dark gray
body is pretty standard condenser fare,
the brushed silver head basket is reminiscent of the grille from an old sedan in a
1940s gangster film. It's a look that manages to be both modern and slightly retro
at the same time. These mics are solidly
built and feature a wonderful fit and finish

Features, internals, and specs, oh my
The MTR201 and MTR231 both have a
-10 dB pad that gives each mic an
impressive 142 dB maximum SPL handling. The MTR231 adds a 3-position pattern switch for choosing between cardioid, figure-8, and omni polar patterns.
Considering the quality of each mic's
overall construction, these switches are
the only things that feel a tad less sturdy,
but considering the price point they're
quite acceptable. Also note that there is a
loud pop and a several-second cutoff of
the sound when switching patterns on the
MTR231, so it's best to mute your mixer
channel before doing so.
As mentioned before, both models make
use of the same 1" gold-sputtered diaphragm,
with a dual capsule version on the multipattern
MTR231. Here are some specs:
The MTR201 has a sensitivity of -33 dB
±3 dB (0dB=1V/Pa @1 kHz), equivalent self
noise of 13 dB, a dynamic range of 120 dB,
an 81 dB signal-to-noise ratio, and a maximum SPL of 132 dB (142 dB with pad).
The MTR231 has a sensitivity of -39 dB in
omni mode, -37 dB in figure-8, and -33 dB
in cardioid mode (all ±3 dB, 0dB=1V/Pa

Samson

MTR201 and MTR231 Condenser Microphones
Samson Technologies is a company
with a very broad range of products, from
USB accessories and signal processors to
studio monitors and USB keyboard controllers. Even with that breadth, we might
not often think of "Samson" and "studio
microphones" in the same sentence, but
the company has a long history of providing great mics for the money. Aside from
the ultra-affordable CO line of large- and
small-diaphragm condenser mics, Samson
sells an active ribbon mic, the VR88,
which garnered a highly positive review
in our July 2008 issue.
The new MTR Series is the next step up
from the CO Series and consists of three
models: The MTR101, MTR201, and
MTR231. Each of the three models is built
upon the same internal electronics, body,
and internal shock mounting for the capsule. As you step up through the models,
each one adds additional features and
accoutrements.
30

RECORDING December 2014

Studio mics that blend affordability and flexibility
for this price point (and indeed for prices
considerably higher).
Each mic is threaded and made to screw
into the included shock mount, which is
equally well built with tight banding and
firm threading. This is a shock mount of
Samson's own design, made for the MTR
Series, rather than the usual off-the-shelf
one-factory-for-many-brands design we
often see with inexpensive overseas mics.
Just below the head basket on the MTR
models is a small grooved ring where the
snap-on metal mesh pop filter attaches via
a compression clip.
Lastly these two mics come in a sturdy
foam-lined briefcase that is put together
well and holds the mic, shock mount, and
pop filter snugly in place without bulging.
If you've purchased any low-cost import
mics over the years, you know the bulge
of which I speak!

@1 kHz). Its equivalent self noise is 16 dB
with a dynamic range of 118 dB, signal-tonoise ratio of 78 dB, and maximum SPL of
132dB (142dB with pad).
Sound
In cardioid mode both microphones
have a very flat frequency response
across the middle with a slight 2 dB rise
in the low end between 20 and 50 Hz, a
minor 500 Hz dip, followed by a 2 dB
bump around 4 kHz and a 5 dB bump
around 12 kHz. In omni mode the
MTR231's low end lessens slightly while
the top end stays fairly similar to what's
heard in cardioid, and in figure-8 mode
the most significant peak is centered
around 4 kHz.
In the early days of low-cost import
mics, designs had a tendency towards
harshness and even fizzy top ends.

Recording - December 2014

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