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BidirectionalCascade Microphones Gomez

Bidirectional Ribbon Microphone

The Cascade Gomez “Michael Joly Edition” is a passive, symmetrical, single-ribbon microphone designed in a collaboration between Cascade CEO Michael Chiriac and OktavaMod founder Michael Joly.

The ribbon motor follows the “medium ribbon / long path” architecture, measuring 45mm in length. The ribbon material is corrugated 2.5-micron aluminum, as in the FAT HEAD.

Like other mics in Cascade’s “premium” lineup, the Gomez MJE features upgraded components:

  • Lundahl LL2913 transformer
  • Switchcraft XLR connector
  • Evidence Audio LYRIC HG wire

Unique to the Gomez is Joly’s trademark “open headbasket” design; the grille follows a minimalist approach, without multiple layers of screens, foam, and blast filters. Although this typically necessitates the use of an external pop filter for vocal use, it results in a more open sound with reduced internal reflections.

Michael Joly

In a new innovation, the ribbon motor is installed in a round, single layer headbasket designed to offer a balance of ribbon protection and open sound. While there are many design features that contribute to great microphone performance, part of my success upgrading microphones can be attributed to the use of a single-layer headbasket. A single layer grille reduces standing wave reflections (“boxiness”) in the headbasket to allow recordings with great clarity and openness.

In addition to an American-made PC board and Switchcraft XLR connector, the Cascade Microphones “Gomez” Michael Joly Edition features a high quality ribbon mic transformer from the Swedish transformer specialist Lundahl. Looking again to the USA, we’ve chosen to outfit the “Gomez” with Evidence Audio™ LYRIC HG wire for maximum signal purity.

The frequency response of the Gomez is relatively flat from 25Hz to 5000Hz, dropping past -3dB around 7kHz.

The Gomez microphone is assembled by hand in the USA, and undergoes rigorous quality control prior to shipment. Each mic must pass an 11-point quality and performance checklist before shipment. It ships (with the signed checklist) in an aluminum flight case with a spider shockmount.

Electronic Musician

This mic responds well to changes in EQ, without the EQ-resistant high-bass cloudiness I’ve noted in the Fat Head II. You can add plenty of top without making things edgy.

Andy Hong, Tape Op Magazine

The Gomez does indeed sound fantastic on guitar amps, especially when positioned 8'' or more from the speaker cone. At this distance, there’s no chuff and no boxiness, nor does the sound get thin, and the backside of the ribbon picks up just enough room to give the guitar track some depth. Closer in, the amp starts to sound bigger than life.

Michael ChiriacThe Cascade Gomez MJE won the 2009 Editors’ Choice Award from Electronic Musician magazine (displayed at right in the hands of Michael Chiriac).

Electronic Musician

The Cascade Gomez Michael Joly Edition received kudos from reviewer Rudy Trubitt for its well-rounded sound, relatively open top end, and clarity in the lower midrange. With a frequency response that is relatively flat up to about 5 kHz, recordings made with the Gomez respond well to high EQ boosts without getting harsh.

The Cascade Microphones Gomez is also known as: Michael Joly Edition, Gomez MJE.

The mic was released in 2008.

Specifications

Frequency Response - BidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!
Gomez Bidirectional Frequency Response Chart
Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Bidirectional (3.9 mV/Pa; 25 - 7,000 Hz)
Ribbon Construction Impedance SPL/Noise
44mm x 4.7mm 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon 200 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 146 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
n/a n/a n/a
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications

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