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Cascade Microphone Company Fat Head Ribbon Microphone

$195.00 to $494.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (2)

2 Critic Reviews

1 Review

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Cascade Microphone Company Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone

$275.00

4.5 (6)

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Page last updated Jun 30, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated June 30, 2026.

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Price

$195.00

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5.0 (3)

$494.99 1 available Used

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Average Price: $345

Standard/Professional

$100

$401+

Price Tier

In the Condenser Microphones category, Cascade Microphone Company Fat Head Ribbon Microphone is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone is a staple for any studio setup, offering an authentic, vintage sound that captures the nuance of vocals and instruments alike. Known for its hand-tuned ribbon element, this microphone excels in delivering warm, smooth audio with a natural frequency response. The figure-8 polar pattern makes it perfect for capturing detailed room acoustics or dual-source recording, adding versatility to its impressive feature set.

Its robust construction ensures durability, making it suitable for both professional and home studios. The Cascade Fat Head is particularly favored for its ability to handle high sound pressure levels without distortion, making it an excellent choice for brass instruments, electric guitar amps, and percussion. With minimal proximity effect, users can enjoy consistent, clear recordings whether close or at a distance. This microphone is a fantastic option for those seeking a blend of classic ribbon sound with modern reliability.

Key Features:

Hand-tuned ribbon element for warm, vintage sound
Figure-8 polar pattern for versatile recording options
Capable of handling high sound pressure levels suitable for various instruments
Minimal proximity effect for consistent audio quality
Durable construction ideal for both studio and live settings

Product specs

Brand	Cascade
Model	Fat Head
Finish	Brown and Gold
Year	2010s
Categories	Microphones
Microphone Type	Ribbon
Wired/Wireless	Wired

FAQs

Does the Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone require phantom power?: No, the Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone does not require phantom power. In fact, applying phantom power can potentially damage ribbon microphones, so it's best to ensure it is turned off when using this mic.
What is the primary application for the Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone?: The Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone is ideal for recording instruments such as guitar amps, brass, and strings due to its warm and natural sound reproduction. It's also a popular choice for vocal recordings that benefit from its smooth, vintage tone.
How does the Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone differ from condenser microphones?: Unlike condenser microphones, the Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone uses a thin ribbon element to capture sound, resulting in a warm and smooth audio quality. It is less sensitive to high frequencies and excels in capturing the natural tone of instruments.
Can the Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone handle high sound pressure levels?: Yes, the Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone can handle high sound pressure levels, making it suitable for recording loud sources like guitar amplifiers and brass instruments without distortion.
What kind of sound signature can I expect from the Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone?: The Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone offers a warm, vintage sound with a smooth high-end response and rich midrange, making it ideal for capturing the natural tone of both instruments and vocals.

Videos

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CaneMajor

The Shure SM57 vs. The Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone

CaneMajor

Ribbon Mics: The Good & The Bad (Cascade Fathead)

Joe Gilder • Home Studio Corner

Test 35 Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Mic Lundahl Transformer Voice Over Pro Juan Carlos - Some Audio Guy

Modern Mics

Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Mic Demo

Leon Todd

Mic Shootout - AKG C414 XLII vs Cascade FatHead

REDtone Studio

Reviews

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PROS

Great for recording trombone, jazz vocals, and drum overheads
Softens harsh tones from instruments like flute and violin
Durable and less fragile compared to other ribbon mics
Replaceable ribbon cartridge for easy repairs
Resistant to damage from phantom power
Offers excellent value for the price
Neutral tone suitable for various recording styles
Performs well in close micing situations on guitar speakers

CONS

Requires a compressor and noise gate for optimal performance
Not the best ribbon mic if budget allows for higher-end models

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 Ribbon Microphone.

Use cases and applications

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A combo of Cascade Fat Head and Sennheiser e609 is favored for guitar amps, balancing mid-high boost and fullness.
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Owners frequently use Fat Heads with horns, finding them to be a solid choice for recording brass and woodwind instruments.
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ORTF placement provides a fuller and warmer sound for upright pianos compared to X/Y, enhancing the tonal richness and depth.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners report significant proximity effect with Fat Head, recommending backing off by a few inches for optimal phase alignment.
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A hot preamp or signal booster, like a Cloudlifter, is often needed to achieve a clean signal from the Fat Head microphone.
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For stereo miking an upright piano, trying both ORTF and X/Y configurations can yield different tonal qualities, with ORTF often preferred for warmth.
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Features and functionality

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The Cascade Fat Head requires low-end EQ roll-off when placed close to loud cabinets to manage proximity effect without phase issues.
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The Fat Head II is noted for effectively reducing harsh upper frequencies, particularly beneficial for cymbal-heavy drum overheads.
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User experience

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Minimal EQ is needed with the Fat Head and e609 combo, allowing for straightforward blending with faders to achieve the desired sound.
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Users transitioning from small or large diaphragm condensers to Fat Head ribbons for overheads may initially find the sound unusual due to the ribbon's distinct character.
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Mods and upgrades

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The Lundahl transformer mod is frequently recommended for a brighter, more natural sound than stock, making it comparable to higher-end mics like the Royer.
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Comparisons

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Compared to AEA microphones, the Fat Head with the Lundahl is described as brighter, yet more natural than a Royer, offering a unique sonic profile.
Source

Critic Reviews

Cascade Mics: Fat Head ribbon mic | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

The Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone impresses with its budget-friendly price of $159 and versatile sound, offering warmth and clarity across various applications, from acoustic guitars to vocals. Its solid build, unique aesthetic, and included accessories further enhance its value. While customer service is responsive, the lack of a detailed owner's manual could be a downside for some users. Overall, this mic provides an excellent entry point into the world of ribbon microphones for those on a budget.

positive

Full Review

Cascade Fat Head Review

recordinghacks.com

The Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone delivers impressive versatility and sound quality, especially given its $159 price tag. With a warm, natural tone, it shines on vocals and acoustic guitars, while also excelling in various recording situations. The build quality is decent with a snug shockmount and classic design. Although the manual support is limited, the customer service is responsive. For those new to ribbon mics or seeking budget-friendly options, it's a compelling choice.

positive

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

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jimmarchi1

41029

about 9 years ago

a good all around ribbon

I've owned and used a ton of ribbons.... there are better ones than the fat head but not for this kinda scratch. If you have a little more money find an old Naked Eye or the Shure equivalent. Or pony up for a Royer LOL. They're great if you can afford them. But the fat head gets the job done. Very neutral in the vintage to modern spectrum of ribbon tone. A good all arounder though in my world it mostly gets use on guitar speakers. So far its held up well too, even with some serious close micing it hasn't needed a retension in years.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Alternative rock

Artist usage

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Andrew Osenga

Singer

Caedmon's Call

Verified via Andrewosenga

Osenga's rig also consists of Cascade FatHead microphones.

Jake McMurchie

Composer

Michelson Morley

Verified via Photo

In a photo posted by Jake McMurchie on October 5, 2017, we can see a golden microphone with a rounded tip and a suspension. It has the shape and color of a Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Microphone. The photo was shared by michmorleymusic on Instagram with the caption, "room mics in #canyonsound. @nicholas.dover said something about figure of 8, phase inversion ... waved his arms around a bit ... clearly knows what he's talking about ..."