Subscribe via RSS
Search
Bookmark/Share this Mic
Theoretically Similar Mics
side-address large-diaphragm dual-diaphragm tube multipattern transformer-coupled b7 center-terminated condenser single-backplate
Specifications and Reviews
Cactus Manual
Cactus Product Description- OHIM design decision, 2006-08
- EQ Mag shootout, 2005-09
- ProAudioReview, 2003-01
Related Microphones
Blue Microphones Cactus
Street: $1,699 / MSRP: $3,295 Multi-Pattern Condenser Tube Microphone
Description
The Cactus is a multipattern, large-diaphragm tube microphone. A switch on the power supply provides nine selectable pickup patterns, from omni to figure-of-8.
The mic’s capsule is Blue’s B7 design (available separately in a lollipop-style head for Blue’s various Bottle mics). The B7 was voiced to mimic Neumann’s K47 capsule, and like the K47 is a dual-diaphragm, single-backplate, center-terminated design. The 24mm diaphragm is made of 6-micron Mylar.
The amplifier design is a transformer-balanced single vacuum tube sub-miniature pentode in a triode mode. The tube, like all subminis we’ve seen, is hard-wired to the circuit board.
The Cactus, like several of Blue’s early products, was the subject of an intellectual property dispute in 2006, when the original manufacturer, SIA Scruples/Violet Design, attempted to register a lookalike microphone with the EU’s “Office for the Harmonization of the Internal Markets” — essentially the EU’s trademark office. The OHIM called Scruples’ registration invalid, awarding the IP rights to Martin Saulespurens of BLUE. For a time, this mic was known as the Violet JZ-5 or JZ5.
JJ Blair/EQ Magazine
BLUE has the philosophy of having each of their mics have a really colored sound. Well, this one is colored really dark. I mean, woolly, even. It had a really fantastic low-end response, but this is not a mic to use if you want presence. With a peak at around 5kHz and a steady rolloff from there, this would be a great mic for horns or any application you might prefer a ribbon mic on. It worked OK on the male vocalist, but was not happening on the female. It was way too dark for my taste on acoustic… Forget about the piano… It also uses the lollipop system, so you could try other capsules on it.
Russ Long/ProAudioReview
after spending the past two months using it to record virtually every sound source imaginable, I have come to the conclusion that it’s a microphone that will be hard to live without.
The Cactus initially included Blue’s Series 1 shockmount/popfilter; more recently, the S1 was swapped for the less-expensive “Series 2,” aka S2 elastic shockmount (which is compatible with the Blueberry and Dragonfly microphones too). The S2 requires that the Cactus body have two knobs protruding from each side, which presumably recent shipping models do have.
The mic also includes the PowerStream power supply, formerly known as the 9610, which has a pattern-control switch for adjusting the mic’s directionality. A high-grade mic cable and ATA Flight Case are included.
The Blue Microphones Cactus is also known as: JZ5, JZ-5.
The mic was released in 1998.
Specifications
| Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
|---|---|
|
Omnidirectional
(18 mV/Pa; 20-20,000 Hz) Cardioid (18 mV/Pa; 20-20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (18 mV/Pa; 20-20,000 Hz) |
|
| Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
|---|---|---|
| Diaphragm diameter: 24mm Capsule diameter: 34mm Diaphragm gauge: 6 microns |
50 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 136 dB Self-noise: 10.0 dB(A) |
| Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800g (28.22oz) | 230mm (9.06'') | 50mm (1.97'') |
|
| Power Specifications |
|---|
|
Did we get anything wrong on this page?
Please let us know!
