Mic Archive

Cascade Microphones

Cascade Fat Head II

Passive figure-8 ribbon mic (2.5 micron aluminium ribbon), side-address, with a stock or Lundahl LL2912 output transformer

Type
Ribbon
Pattern
Figure-8
Sensitivity
−56.3 dBV/Pa
Max SPL
165 dB SPL
Impedance
200 Ω
Rated range
30 – 18k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the report rh, p. 1. Cross-Spectrum Labs report on a "Fat Head II", 1/3-octave bands, relative to 1 kHz; reference mic ACO Pacific 7052S. Distance and room not stated; "not a NIST-traceable calibration".

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the report rh, p. 2. "Cascade Fat Head II Ribbon Microphone Polar Response", 500 Hz, 1 kHz and 5 kHz, full circle, 0° up, rings every 5 dB (labelled -20 to +5). Measured every 10°. Distance and room not stated.

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All specs

From the product page (Recording Hacks copy)
Max SPL165 dB SPL. "Max SPL: 165 dB", no condition.p. 1
Output impedance200 ohm. "200 Ohms (Low)". The report's impedance graph (page 2) runs at about 100 to 180 ohms from 100 Hz to 5 kHz.
Rated frequency range30 Hz to 18 kHz
Poweringnone (passive). "passive symmetrical ribbon"; the reports give "Phantom Power: N/A".
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "3-pin XLR male (1)".
Weight495 g. "495g (17.46oz)".
Dimensions185 × 76 mm. Length × maximum diameter: "185mm (7.28'')", "76mm (2.99'')".
Ribbon99% pure aluminium, 2.5 micron, 1 3/4" × 3/16" (44 × 4.8 mm)
TransformerStock transformer, or Lundahl LL2912 as an upgrade; not offered with a Cinemag transformer (unlike the Fat Head)
VersionsBrown body with gold grille, silver body with polished nickel grille, or black body with polished nickel grille; also sold as stereo pairs and as a Blumlein package
Released2007
Price (Recording Hacks)MSRP $219 (stock transformer); $349 with the Lundahl LL2912; pairs $375 and $675
Shock mountPlastic shock mount included
From the report rh
Sensitivity−56.3 dBV/Pa (1.5 mV/Pa), 1 kHz, 94 dB SPL, measured; also −54.4 dBV/Pa, Fat Head/Lundahl, measured (Cross-Spectrum report, Feb 2007); also −55.9 dBV/Pa, 1.6 mV/Pa (Recording Hacks). "Microphone Sensitivity: -56.3 dB (1.5 mV/Pa) (re 1000Hz, 94 dB)". The Lundahl report: "-54.4 dB (1.9 mV/Pa)"; Recording Hacks lists 1.6 mV/Pa (-55.9 dBV/Pa, converted).p. 2
Noise floor (report)"<17 dBA"

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Cascade Microphones, unchanged, with its original address.

Recording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

Other mics