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Average Price: $275

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$499

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Description

For those seeking the warm, vintage sound of classic recordings, the Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone delivers an authentic audio experience that stands out in any studio setup. Engineered with a hand-tuned ribbon element, this microphone captures rich, natural sound with exceptional detail and smooth frequency response. It's particularly well-suited for capturing the nuanced tones of string instruments, woodwinds, and vocals, making it a favorite among musicians and sound engineers alike.

The microphone's symmetrical design and robust construction ensure durability and reliability, even in demanding recording environments. Its figure-eight polar pattern provides excellent side rejection, which is perfect for isolating your source sound while minimizing room noise. The Fat Head II also comes with a Lundahl transformer upgrade option for those who seek even higher fidelity audio capture.

Whether you're tracking in a professional studio or setting up a home recording space, the Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone offers an impressive blend of vintage character and modern performance, all at an accessible price point.

Key Features:

  • Hand-tuned ribbon element for warm, natural sound
  • Figure-eight polar pattern for effective sound isolation
  • Suitable for a variety of instruments and vocal applications
  • Optional Lundahl transformer upgrade for enhanced audio fidelity
  • Durable construction tailored for both studio and live use

Product specs

Brand Cascade
Model Fat Head II
Finish Brown and Gold
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Microphones

FAQs

Does the Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone require phantom power?

The Cascade Fat Head II is a passive ribbon microphone and does not require phantom power. However, care should be taken to avoid accidental exposure to phantom power to prevent potential damage.

What are the main applications for the Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone?

The Cascade Fat Head II is ideal for recording instruments such as electric guitar amps, brass, and woodwinds, as well as for drum overheads. Its warm and natural sound makes it versatile for various studio recording applications.

How does the Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone handle high sound pressure levels?

The Cascade Fat Head II is designed to handle high sound pressure levels, making it suitable for close-miking loud sources like guitar amplifiers and drums without distortion.

What is the sound signature of the Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone?

The Cascade Fat Head II offers a warm, smooth, and natural sound with a rich midrange, making it excellent for capturing the nuances of instruments and vocals without harshness.

Is the Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone durable for regular studio use?

Yes, the Cascade Fat Head II is built with a sturdy construction, featuring a large body and polished nickel grille, ensuring durability for regular studio use.

Greg Vorobiov

Greg Vorobiov

Cascade Fat Head II ribbon microphone w/ Lundahl transformer demo by Greg Vorobiov

Video thumbnail for Cascade Fat Head II ribbon microphone w/ Lundahl transformer demo by Greg Vorobiov by Greg Vorobiov

Cascade Fat Head II ribbon microphone w/ Lundahl transformer demo by Greg Vorobiov

Greg Vorobiov

Greg Vorobiov

Video thumbnail for Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD II Active/Passive by HarmonyCentral

Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD II Active/Passive

HarmonyCentral

HarmonyCentral

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional sound clarity for trumpet and flugelhorn recordings

  • Harmon mute sound captured beautifully

  • Offers a warm tone characteristic of ribbon microphones

  • Highly affordable for a ribbon mic with great sound quality

  • Direct on-axis use with guitar speakers provides excellent results

CONS

  • Noticeably dark tone, even for a ribbon microphone

  • Narrow focus requires precise positioning for optimal sound

  • Not ideal for drum overheads due to its darkness

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 Ribbon Microphone.

Use cases and applications

  • Pairing the Cascade Fat Head II with the Sennheiser e609 provides a robust sound for guitar amps, with the e609's mids complementing the Fat Head's fullness.

    Source
  • The Fat Head II is favored for its ability to supply low-end richness, particularly when used with a Shure SM57 for added bite on guitar cabs.

    Source
  • The Fat Head II excels at taming harsh upper frequencies, making it ideal for loud cymbals and clean electric guitars.

    Source
  • When used in drum overhead setups, the Fat Head II can initially sound odd if you're accustomed to SDCs or LDCs, offering a different tonal character.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners have experienced significant proximity effect with the Fat Head II, often placing it a few inches back to manage low-end and phase issues.

    Source
  • For optimal performance, a hot preamp or signal booster like a Cloudlifter is often required to achieve a clean signal.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Users find minimal need for EQ adjustments when combining the Fat Head II with other mics, relying on faders for optimal blending instead.

    Source
  • The larger diameter Fat Head II model likely has an active/passive switch accessible by removing the lower body part, offering flexible use options.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The Lundahl transformer mod is highly recommended, providing a brighter sound compared to stock and making it comparable to more expensive mics.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Fat Head II, when modded with a Lundahl transformer, is described as more natural than a Royer but brighter than an AEA.

    Source

Build quality

  • Different sizes and shapes of Cascade Fat Head II microphones are authentic and may result from varying production runs or optional features like an active/passive switch.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report seeing both sizes of the Fat Head II available online, indicating that variations do not necessarily affect authenticity or performance.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 6 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Gary Clark Jr uses Cascade Microphone Company Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone

Gary Clark Jr

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

The Tone Report showcases Gary Clark Jr's live setup, which features Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphones. They write "The amps are mic'd with Cascade Fat Head 2 ribbon mics with Lundahl transformers mixed with a Beyer M69. Front of House man Bareth 'Cheex' Ramanath explains that the Beyer is warm, fat, and true to form."

See how Owl City uses Cascade Microphone Company Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone

Owl City

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

"I recorded all the guitars on the upcoming album with a 57 and a Cascade Fat Head ll. Tried the 57/Royer 121 combo but favored the Cascade. I haven't done much with ribbon mics until this album and I got so excited I drank fabric softener."

See how Bryce Barsten uses Cascade Microphone Company Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone

Bryce Barsten

Guitarist, Composer

Chinese American Bear

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by Chinese American Bear, slide 2 shows Bryce Barsten recording with the Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone. The post, shared on October 18, 2024, celebrates the release of their album "Wah!!!", which Barsten produced, recorded, and mixed.

See how Joel Nielsen uses Cascade Microphone Company Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone

Joel Nielsen

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified via Imgur

Joel Nielsen is confirmed to use the Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone, as evidenced by a photograph shared on Imgur, which is attributed to have originated from his website.

T

Trey Celaya

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Trey uses this as one of his drum room mics along with the Peluso P-87 Condenser Microphone, as stated in the description.

Album Usage

The Cascade Microphone Company Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

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

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Cascade Microphone Company Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
2
Neumann TLM 103
Neumann TLM 103 Condenser Microphones
2
Josephson C42 Matched Pair
Josephson C42 Matched Pair Condenser Microphones
1
Shure SM7B
Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphones
1
Sennheiser MD 421-II
Sennheiser MD 421-II Dynamic Microphones
1
Shure KSM137
Shure KSM137 Condenser Microphones
1
Electro-Voice RE20
Electro-Voice RE20 Dynamic Microphones
1
Dynaudio LYD 48
Dynaudio LYD 48 Active & Passive Monitors
1

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