The Samar MG20 Microphone is a transformer coupled small diaphragm cardioid microphone that features very low noise, high SPL handling, natural sonics, smooth response and full extended low end. This makes the MG20 the perfect solution for demanding professional engineers, studios, artists, as well as home recording enthusiast to make highest quality recordings. It is handcrafted and meticulously assembled at Samar’s Salt Lake City based shop.
The Samar MG20 design was conceived and realized by the company’s founder, Dr. Mark Fouxman. If you know the brand, then you know that Mark designs and builds one-of-a-kind gear using the highest quality internal electronics and a no-compromise attitude. Demanding the highest possible level of performance and years of dependability from all his gear. The MG20 is no exception. Though the MG20 is a cardioid microphone, it has a slightly wider cardioid pattern than most cardioid mics. Much like Samar’s TF10 microphone. However, the MG20 brilliantly solves the problem of "chambering". Chambering happens when soundwaves coming from the back of mic travel to the capsule from the side. It can cause resonances or bumps in the frequency curve of a microphone. Due to the construction and innovative acoustical shape of the body, this isn't a problem for the MG20. Since you don’t have that issue with the MG20, the top-end response is very smooth and clear, and the low-end response is big and full with excellent off-axis response and minimal phase distortions behavior.
At the heart of of the MG20 is a very high quality capsule working with a transformer coupled circuit, which consists of a single jFet loaded by a made in house transformer. This circuit is very similar to a classic KM84 with a few modern tweaks to boost the performance even further. The transformer was developed by Dr. Mark Fouxman specifically for this model and wound chambered (topology adopted in Neumann BV8 and some other expensive transformers) for very low capacitance and excellent high frequency response, and assembled using US made 80% Nickel core lamination. Basically, the MG20 has an extremely low noise floor as well as a very high SPL handling capability, making the MG20 a great choice for just about any application in the studio!
Special attention has been paid to the acoustical optimization of the MG20 microphone body, which forms a special shaped acoustical lens. This arrangement eliminates any sound waves interference, including off-axis. These facets along with it's acoustically open mesh screen, eliminate any reflections to ensure the most acoustically transparent sound possible and phase integrity. Bye, bye chambering. Hello smooth, clear beautiful sound!
Created to facilitate a wide range of applications the MG20 delivers smooth sound, with deep bass response and an un-hyped, sibilance free, top end. Due to the un-colored and neutral nature of the sonics built into the MG20, it is especially suitable for applications where sibilance-free sound is a priority, notably vocals, voice over, and podcast applications. The extended low end and smooth top end make the MG20 an excellent choice for violins, brass instruments, mandolin, acoustic and electric guitars, drum overheads, various percussions, room microphones, orchestra, and choir among other recording, broadcast, and classical music applications. We've demo'd this mic on acoustic guitar here at the Front End Audio studio. Check out the video tab to see that demo.
Samar MG20 Microphone Features
- Handcrafted in the USA
- Transformer Coupled
- Low noise
- High SPL Handling
Samar MG20 Microphone Features Specifications
- Pickup Pattern: Cardioid
- Capsule Dimension: Pickup Area 0.5”
- Sensitivity: -41 dB (8.91 mV/Pa)
- Signal Noise Ratio: 80dB
- Noise Level: 15dBA
- Phantom Power: 48 Volt
- Output Impedance: 200 Ohm
- Max SPL: 140dB
- Microphone Dimensions: 1” x 5.7”
- Weight: 153 g (5.4 oz)
Samar MG20 Microphone Includes
- Samar MG20 Microphone
- Shock Mount
- Storage Box
- 2 Year Parts Warranty
Videos Hide Videos Show Videos
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Samar MG20 Microphone - Gear360 at Front End Audio
Check out the Samar MG20 Microphone on Front End Audio's Gear3...
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Samar MG20 Microphone - Out Of The Box at Front End Audio
Check out the Samar MG20 Microphone in our "Out Of The Box" se...
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Samar MG20 Microphone - Demo at Front End Audio
Check out the Samar MG20 Microphone "In Action" here at Front ...