Cascade Microphones Fat Head
Bidirectional Ribbon Microphone
The Cascade Fat Head is an upgraded Alctron HRM-15 / ShuaiYin SYR-30 ribbon microphone.
The Cascade website used to make the following distinctions between the FAT HEAD and “similar competitive models:”
- Radian grill (bows out) adds better frequency response vs. flat closed grill.
- Upgrade suspension mount vs. clip.
- 2.5 Micron vs. 6 Micron ribbon element …symmetrical ribbon placement…offers a true figure 8 pattern (6 micron is considered too thick).
- Grill is manufactured from Zinc Alloy vs. iron (iron is prone to rust).
- Accurate specifications…. performed by Cross Spectrum Labs vs. no real specifications.
- High quality wood box w/ large polished nickel latch and hinges plus upgraded aluminum case vs. clip and vinyl pouch.
- Manufactured to a higher quality standard in a different manufacturing plant.
- Engraved serial number vs. no serial number.
- Quality control…every microphone is inspected for audio and build quality before it leaves our shop vs. no USA inspection.
The specs follow the model of Nady’s RSM-4 in that the ribbon is quoted at a length of 45mm and the SPL at 165dB. Note that the Fat Head (and all lookalike lollipop-style ribbons) follow the “medium ribbon/long path” architecture described by Michael Joly here.
Cascade offers two upgraded versions of this mic:
- Replace the Chinese transformer with a US-made Cinemag CM-9888. MSRP: $300
- Replace the Chinese transformer with a Swedish-made Lundahl LL2912. MSRP: $300
See the Frequency Analysis links in the sidebar for 3rd-party frequency and polar-response plots for both the stock and Lundahl-upgraded models.
The mic ships in three colors (black body with silver grill, brown body with gold grill) in a wooden storage box with a suspension shockmount and a microfiber polishing cloth, all fitted into an aluminum flight case.
Pro Audio Review
While I don’t consider the FAT HEAD to be in the same league as the Royer line of ribbons, I still think it is a fabulous mic and an amazing bargain. It sounds wonderful, is tremendously flexible and at only $159 is a must-have for any studio.
Note that early manufacturing runs of the Fat Head microphone employed an offset-ribbon design. Current production runs have a symmetrical ribbon placement.
The Cascade Microphones Fat Head is also known as: Fat Head.
The mic was released in 2006.
Specifications
Frequency Response - BidirectionalClick Graph to Compare! |
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Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
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Bidirectional
(1.6 mV/Pa; 60 - 8,000 Hz) |
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Ribbon Construction | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
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Length: 45mm Width: 5mm Gauge: 2.5 microns |
200 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 165 dB |
Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
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n/a | 165mm (6.50'') | 76mm (2.99'') |
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Power Specifications |
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