Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Review
Ribbon Microphone
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 29 Reviews
Got a dud, check your mic
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD BE Ribbon Microphone (Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by jsmalleus on B&H Photo Video
Ordered the mic back in april after hearing good things and finally had a reason to use it in the studio this month. Pulled it out, plugged it in and put it in position. Powered up my preamp (phantom power off) and immediately noticed a weird buzzy sound. Rotating the mic so that the more bulbous end is facing downwards causes it to not buzz, but anytime it is returned to another position the buzz returns as well. I'm relatively sure that means the ribbon is stretched. I know ribbons are easy to damage, but I had taken extra care handling it and used a pop filter even just for this first use, still had the buzz after being only 20 seconds out of the box. When it's not buzzing, it sounds great, but if you order, be sure to test it as soon as you get it. It's my own fault for waiting so long to hook it up, since now I'm outside the 30 day exchange window. But, I still got sent a dud and now I'm stuck with a mic I can't aim directly at my amp without it sounding like garbage. Don't make my mistake, if you do order this mic, check that mammer jammer as soon as you get it. If you don't want to deal with the chance it's faulty, then I wouldn't recommend ordering one at all. I can still use it angled (for now at least) so it gets 2 stars for not being completely useless. ... More
Sweetness with this ribbon mic!!
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by studio-g on B&H Photo Video
Great things come with the Fat Head Ribbon Mic package! First off, if you haven't used this mic before.. definitely give it a shot and add to your collection. It's an affordable ribbon mic packing high end quality! Build quality is excellent, sounds so real and smooth which a ribbon mic should (not overdone at all in the highs and not muddy at all..just right), and overall just a very cool smooth working and looking mic! I've used this on male and female vocals with success and it REALLY shines when recording electric guitar cabs. I've also heard numerous times that it captures a great sound with an acoustic guitar, sax, and violin as well as many other instruments I can imagine. The mic package includes a sharp looking carry case, sleek wood type box for the mic, soft cloth mic case, and quality shockmount! All that for under $200! One of my best investments in recording so far. Give it a try, I think you'll appreciate it as much as I do! ... More
New Favorite for Electric Guitar live sound
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by Guitar Tone Chaser on B&H Photo Video
I started down the ribbon mic road looking for a less harsh, fuller, more natural sounding tone than I was getting from SM57s, e609, your typical dynamic mic. I started with a large ribbon (MXL 860) mic and it blew my mind. A little too much bass so I had to EQ the 100hz and below out of it, but still really awesome. Could have stopped there, but hey, I love gear. I had read that short ribbon mics have less of that boomy bottom end effect (similar to how a 57 goes through proximity effect the closer it gets to the speaker). The Fathead seemed to fit the bill perfectly. And it is awesome. It is a nicely warm, mid-range balanced, with perfect taming of the highs that a 57 will kill you with. Finally a mic that sounds BETTER through the headphones than my Marshall head & Vintage 30 cabinet sounds in the room. Seriously, place this mic in the right place (on axis with dust cap, offset from center 1/2 your speaker dust cap width), and you will prefer the sound through your IEMs. Packaging was awesome, cool boxes, etc, but who cares. I'm in it for the mic quality and this has quality sound in spades. I would trade every SM57 in my inventory for just one of these. ... More
Good to go
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Mic Matched Stereo Pair Kit with Cloudlifter CL-2 Mic Activator
Reviewed by Kenny Winker on B&H Photo Video
This is a great bundle. I already had cloudlifters and I was just going to buy the matched pair of Fat Heads until I saw this package. Everything arrived quickly and undamaged by delivery. The xlrs are good and the mic stand feels sturdy like it will last in a busy studio. The CL-2 provides plenty of gain for the Fat Heads. I've tested them through 3 different preamps and I've had no S/N issues.
Wow....you won't regret buying this mic!
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD BE Ribbon Microphone (Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by ReluctantCowboyMusic on B&H Photo Video
I've been struggling a w/ recording dobro and banjo (lacking a bit of body) and with research, realized I would need to invest in a ribbon mic if I wanted to get a thicker sound. Only issue I had was cost....so I put it off....until I found the Cascade Fathead. I got the BE (Bare Essentials) version, which is basically just the mic and a clip (I use a Shure SM58 clip instead of the one they sent)....and use it in combination w/ my AKG C414....HUGE difference on the low end and overall beefiness of the tracks. I'd even try this on in combination w/ an SM57 for acoustic instruments....the results would be incredible. I'm certain this mic would also be amazing on some vocals, electric guitars and piano too. For $160US (free shipping to Canada) it's really a no brainer. ... More
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Killer sound!
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by Jason on B&H Photo Video
For the money you can't beat the Fathead. When I tried it for the first time I had to crank my Digital MPA almost all the way up to get a good signal for mid/side recording which kind of bummed me out. The MPA has 60dB of gain for the digital output which is what I'm using and 70dB for the analog but I needed more for mid/side. Then I found the Cloudlifter(another $ but worth every cent)The Cloudlifter gives you 20 to 25dB more CLEAN gain via phantom power and life is now very good for recording with any low output mic. Do some research about ribbon and other low output mics and check out the Cloudlifter. ... More
Great Mic!
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I am a college student studying audio engineering and an aspiring songwriter. Normally I would use an sm57 to record my guitar amplifier. Before I got this microphone, I was looking into buying a new amplifier because my distorted guitar recordings sounded very harsh. The second I heard my guitar tone through this mic, a smile ran ear to ear. It sounds decent on an acoustic guitar. Because its a ribbon mic, it doesnt have that top end you look for in an acoustic guitar recording but I think it would end up sounding good mixed with my cadm179.
A good first ribbon mic
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I wanted to buy my first ribbon mic, and because of the low price I went for the Fat Head. It definitely has its own character, I find it very useful on guitar amps. What I don't like about it is the noise, but in a way it blends the sound so it gets a special sonic signature. I could recommend this mic to everyone who wants to try out a ribbon mic, but for professional use I'd go for a higher end model.
Excellent ribbon mic
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by Chad on B&H Photo Video
I bought this Cascade Fathead ribbon mic to use along with an Ear Trumpet Lab Louise condenser mic for recording our old-time string band. I am blown away by the sound quality of our recordings. We sit in a semi-circle and have the Fathead approx. 18 inch from the center instrument and the ETL condenser mic about an arm length behind the Fathead. Our recordings now have a nice full sound and I'm not having to EQ anything, just a bit of compression to tighten up the overall sound. I would buy again and definitely recommend for mixing acoustic instruments.
Cascade Fat Head Ribbon Mic
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by grandtoobah on B&H Photo Video
I have been using this microphone to record audition tapes for Orchestras. I have been using a zoom H4N as a pre-amp and recording directly into garage band. The set up is not ideal but the quality of the mic is not hidden. I have been recording in a very big room, not too wet, and the mic does a good job picking up both the core of my sound and the reverberant room sound. I look forward to using it in different settings with a better pre-amp and recording software.
Nice tone on my piano
Cascade Fat Head BE Ribbon Mics (Stereo Pair)
Reviewed by Eric M. on Reverb
I got to borrow a pair of these and a pair of Shiny Boxes with the Cinemag transformers from a friend's studio. I just put the Shiny boxes on the piano and loved them. Used a fathead for my vocals, which I also liked. But when it came time to give them back, I did a proper A/B, and liked these even better on my piano. Smoother upper mids for sure. I'm extremely happy with the sound I'm getting now, using these blumlein m/s. No matter how hard I pound, the piano never sounds shrill or harsh. ... More
Very Impressed
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by Cameron the Great on B&H Photo Video
The Fat Head is an absolute dynamo. I used it once on acoustic guitar and haven't stopped using it since. Sounds great on just about everything you put in front of it. It does have darker sound than say a small diaphragm condenser, so I wouldn't recommend it as an overhead mic.
The Best Microphone Value
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
This is a warm, full bodied ribbon mic and for the money you won't find a better sound. I put the fathead between a drum kit and a guitar amp, and the result was a full, clear and warm mono recording. It needed nothing else. You'll want a preamp with this one, as the output is low.
Thick!
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD BE Ribbon Microphone (Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by TheDude on B&H Photo Video
This mic sounds great! I took it home and tried it on vocals, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and banjo. The sound had a Nice vintage vibe. It's not the type of mic I'd use on an entire session, but a nice addition too my collection. Against the Royer 121, it lacks top end, but it's also 1/10th the price.
Good value.
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD BE Ribbon Microphone (Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by althedrummer on B&H Photo Video
Not bad for the price. It has a bit more definition than the MXL R144. It has the full sounding ribbon character which is nice as an overhead in jazz drum set miking. I also use it as a room mic in a mid/side config.
So Far So Good
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great mic for the price!!!! I have only been using this mic for a few days and so far I love it! Everybody that has seen it loves the look, and I love the sound! This thing is working great in my home studio. I am primarily using this mic for voice over work for commercial production and it sound great!
Absolutely fantastic
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The most characteristic sounding mic I have ever owned. It is so raw and natural. Extremely warm and suprisingly versatile. This is my favorite mic and costs less than half of my other previously favorite mics.
Great ribbon mic for great price!!
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by Colekg on B&H Photo Video
This mic has proven to be a great purchase. I have used it for vocals, trumpet, bass clarinet, and percussion. It's versatility and overall great sound makes it my most often used mic. If I had the budget I would get two!
Church musicians' friend
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed by Robert on B&H Photo Video
This mic gives a much better and accurate reproduction of a voice trained to be heard in un-miked settings than the results I have been obtaining with a similarly priced condenser mic. I'm very pleased with the quality and accuracy of the sound. Thanks to Cascade for producing this great microphone!
Beautiful microphone
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD Ribbon Microphone (Black Body and Silver Grill, Stock Transformer)
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
This is an awesome microphone. It has such a vintage sound. Very warm . I recommend this microphone to anyone high-end for low-budget recording engineers . And BNH is the best place to get it . their very helpful and fast.
