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Average Price: $490

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Description

When it comes to capturing the rich, velvety tones of your performance, the Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair delivers with unparalleled precision. This ribbon microphone pair is designed specifically for studio recording enthusiasts seeking a warm and natural sound. Renowned for its figure-8 polar pattern, the Fat Head excels in capturing the full spectrum of your audio environment, making it ideal for both vocal and instrumental recordings.

The Fat Head Stereo Pair is particularly favored by professionals for its ability to produce a balanced high-frequency response. Its distinctive symmetrical ribbon design minimizes distortion and enhances durability, even under high sound pressure levels. Whether you're miking a drum kit, capturing the nuances of a string quartet, or recording a podcast, these microphones provide a depth and clarity that bring your projects to life.

Each microphone in this pair comes with a Lundahl transformer, a feature that contributes significantly to its authentic sound reproduction. This inclusion not only ensures superior audio quality but also a robust build that withstands the demands of regular studio use. Additionally, the package includes a premium shock mount and aluminum flight case, ensuring your gear remains secure and ready for transport.

For musicians and audio engineers alike, the Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair represents a solid investment in your soundscape, providing reliability and quality that enhances every recording session.

Key Features:

  • Ribbon microphone pair with figure-8 polar pattern
  • Lundahl transformer for authentic sound reproduction
  • Symmetrical ribbon design for minimized distortion
  • High sound pressure level handling capability
  • Includes shock mount and aluminum flight case

Product specs

Brand Cascade
Model Fat Head Stereo Pair
Year 2010s
Categories Microphones

FAQs

What applications are the Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair best suited for?

The Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair is ideal for recording instruments like drums, guitar amps, and brass due to its warm and natural sound. Its ribbon design captures detailed and smooth audio, making it a popular choice for studio applications requiring a classic, vintage tone.

What polar pattern does the Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair feature?

The Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair features a figure-8 polar pattern, which captures sound from the front and back of the microphone while rejecting sound from the sides. This makes it suitable for capturing room ambiance and stereo recordings.

How does the Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair handle high sound pressure levels?

The Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair is designed to handle high sound pressure levels, making it suitable for micing loud sources like guitar cabinets and drums without distortion. Its ribbon element provides a natural compression effect, enhancing its performance in high SPL environments.

Does the Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair require phantom power?

The Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair does not require phantom power, as it is a passive ribbon microphone. However, using a high-gain preamp is recommended to achieve optimal signal levels, especially for quieter sound sources.

What is included with the Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair?

The Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair typically comes with two ribbon microphones, shock mounts, and a carrying case for secure storage and transport. This package is designed to provide everything needed for stereo recording setups.

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Cascade Microphone Company FAT HEAD II Blumlein Stereo Pair w/Lundahl.

Value and pricing

  • Cascade Fat Head Stereo Pair is praised for its affordability, with a stereo pair and accessories priced around $500-$625, making it a budget-friendly option for ribbon mics.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners frequently use Cascade Fat Head mics on guitar cabinets and drum overheads due to their warm, full-bodied sound.

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  • Cascade Fat Head mics have been effectively used on the horn of a Leslie 145 cab paired with a Hammond C-3, delivering impressive results.

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  • Fat Head mics are frequently used in a Blumlein setup or as the Side mic in Mid-Side configurations for room sound capture.

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  • A combination of Cascade Fat Head and a high-gain preamp is suggested for capturing the low-end richness of upright bass in enclosed spaces.

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Comparisons

  • While the Beyerdynamic M160 is a popular choice, it differs from the Cascade Fat Head in sound profile, lacking the typical ribbon warmth and pronounced proximity effect.

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  • The Cascade Vin-Jet is suggested over the Fat Head for instruments due to its longer ribbon and wider frequency response, especially with a transformer upgrade.

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  • The Apex 205, when modded, is noted for being better suited for female vocals and piano compared to the Fat Head, due to less roll-off in the top end.

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  • Some users found the Golden Age Project R1 MKII, noted for its clarity and smoothness, to outperform other budget ribbons like the Cascade Fat Head in certain applications.

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User experience

  • Owners report using the Cascade Fat Head as room mics, appreciating their ability to capture a rich, ambient sound.

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  • Owners of the Cascade Fat Head stereo pair report frequent use as guitar cabinet mics, often paired with a Shure SM57 for additional grit and tone control.

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Mods and upgrades

  • The upgraded Lundahl transformer model of the Cascade Fat Head is recommended for improved sound quality over the stock version.

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  • Users recommend retuning the Cascade Fat Head ribbons at specialized shops like Manny’s Mic Locker to resolve tuning issues and enhance performance.

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Features and functionality

  • The Cascade Fat Head, when used as drum "fattening" mics, provides a robust low end and a warm, detailed top end, making it suitable for a variety of drum miking techniques.

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Other

  • It's been noted that Pinnacle Microphones now services Cascade models after the rebranding, maintaining continuity and support for Fat Head users.

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Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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