Cascade Microphone Company

Cascade Microphone Company

Also known as: Cascade, Cascade Microphones, Cascade Mics

Unclaimed

Cascade Microphone Company, the house brand of Bayview Pro Audio, is a microphone manufacturer based in Olympia, Washington. Founded by Michael Chiriac, the company draws its name from the nearby Cascade Mountain range. Cascade began by importing Chinese microphones, then progressed to offering upgraded versions, and eventually began constructing microphones locally using components sourced fro...

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Cascade Microphone Company, the house brand of Bayview Pro Audio, is a microphone manufacturer based in Olympia, Washington. Founded by Michael Chiriac, the company draws its name from the nearby Cascade Mountain range. Cascade began by importing Chinese microphones, then progressed to offering upgraded versions, and eventually began constructing microphones locally using components sourced from China, Sweden (notably Lundahl transformers), and the USA. All microphones are hand-built and audio-calibrated through Cross Spectrum Labs before shipment.

Cascade is best known for its line of affordable, professional-grade ribbon microphones. The Fat Head, their most recognized model, features a hand-tuned ribbon element with a symmetrical ribbon design and true figure-8 polar pattern. The Fat Head II builds on that foundation with an active/passive switchable design — one of the first ribbon microphones to offer that feature. Other notable models include the Vin-Jet (a long-ribbon design), the Knuckle Head (which pairs Fat Head internals with a retro broadcast-style shockmounted headbasket), and the X-15 stereo ribbon microphone. Beyond ribbons, Cascade also produces condenser and vacuum tube microphones, including the Victor, C77, and M39. The company offers a Custom Shop service for Lundahl transformer upgrades and ribbon replacement, and all microphones carry a five-year warranty.

Following Chiriac's passing in early 2022, the brand's legacy has been carried forward by Pinnacle Microphones, which maintains the same designs and sonic characteristics under new model names (e.g., the Fat Head became the Fat Top, and the Vin-Jet became the Vinnie).

Cascade Microphone Company has 14 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Ribbon Microphones and Condenser Microphones. Their gear is featured by 7 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Electronic. Notable users include Gary Clark Jr, Owl City, and Trey Celaya.

Artists Who Use Cascade Microphone Company

Gary Clark Jr uses 1 Cascade Microphone Company product

Gary Clark Jr

Singer, Guitarist

Owl City uses 1 Cascade Microphone Company product

Owl City

Singer, Guitarist

Trey Celaya uses 1 Cascade Microphone Company product

Trey Celaya

Singer, Guitarist

Andrew Osenga uses 1 Cascade Microphone Company product

Andrew Osenga

Singer · Caedmon's Call

Joel Nielsen uses 1 Cascade Microphone Company product

Joel Nielsen

Guitarist, Bassist

Jake McMurchie uses 1 Cascade Microphone Company product

Jake McMurchie

Composer · Michelson Morley

Bryce Barsten uses 1 Cascade Microphone Company product

Bryce Barsten

Guitarist, Composer · Chinese American Bear

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