Topic: PSA: Cascade Microphones, inexpensive option?

[Brian Skalinder]

In poking around for an inexpensive SDC mic that has figure-8 caps, I stumbled across Cascade Microphones.  While they don't have the figure-8 cap I'm seeking, I thought others might like to know about them.  Seems the M39 may be most applicable for our purposes.  Cardioid and omni caps available.



Not sure what to make of their inexpensive ribbons - that's another option I've considered, but the freq response graphs look awfully jagged (but for all I know at this point in my searching, that's common among ribbon mics).

[TNJazz]

Cascade are rebranded MXL mics, I believe.  They used to give them away with purchases from someplace (I don't think it was Cascade Media, but I could be wrong).  We tried them out once and they sounded horrible.  Shrill and harsh, very unpleasant sound overall.

This was a couple of years ago, so things may be different now.

[RebelRebel]

I dont know about the m39, but I do have two of the fathead ribbons, and they are damn fine!

[Church-Audio]

I dont know about the m39, but I do have two of the fathead ribbons, and they are damn fine!

You are such a gear slut   

[RebelRebel]

I dont know about the m39, but I do have two of the fathead ribbons, and they are damn fine!

You are such a gear slut   

Well now..I do USE my gear before selling it and I do keep it over a week. *cough* TNJAZZ* cough..

  I am more of a gear hoarder..

[RebelRebel]

In poking around for an inexpensive SDC mic that has figure-8 caps, I stumbled across Cascade Microphones.  While they don't have the figure-8 cap I'm seeking, I thought others might like to know about them.  Seems the M39 may be most applicable for our purposes.  Cardioid and omni caps available.



Not sure what to make of their inexpensive ribbons - that's another option I've considered, but the freq response graphs look awfully jagged (but for all I know at this point in my searching, that's common among ribbon mics).

a high end roll off and not necessarily flat response graph is indeed common with ribbons. .some would call them "dark". They arent the greatest choice for material that has low frequency-heavy.

[stirinthesauce]

just so we are on the right track, the graph listed is for their condensor, not ribbon.    

In poking around for an inexpensive SDC mic that has figure-8 caps, I stumbled across Cascade Microphones.  While they don't have the figure-8 cap I'm seeking, I thought others might like to know about them.  Seems the M39 may be most applicable for our purposes.  Cardioid and omni caps available.



Not sure what to make of their inexpensive ribbons - that's another option I've considered, but the freq response graphs look awfully jagged (but for all I know at this point in my searching, that's common among ribbon mics).

a high end roll off and not necessarily flat response graph is indeed common with ribbons. .some would call them "dark". They arent the greatest choice for material that has low frequency-heavy.

[TNJazz]

I dont know about the m39, but I do have two of the fathead ribbons, and they are damn fine!

You are such a gear slut   

Well now..I do USE my gear before selling it and I do keep it over a week. *cough* TNJAZZ* cough..

  I am more of a gear hoarder..

I always use it before I sell it.  It gets one chance to impress me.  It fails, it's outta there.  That's just the way it is with me.

[rowjimmy]

I think a review in TapeOp had nice things to say about the Fathead Ribbon... I've eyed their sd condensers but basically because I'm cheap... I haven't seen any good words printed on them.

and fwiw, I decided NOT to buy them.


-rj

[RebelRebel]

you dont try it in a vareity of different situations/? I used to HATE dpa 4006, but the 3rd time i heard them I was blown away..completely different situation/

I dont know about the m39, but I do have two of the fathead ribbons, and they are damn fine!

You are such a gear slut   

Well now..I do USE my gear before selling it and I do keep it over a week. *cough* TNJAZZ* cough..

  I am more of a gear hoarder..

I always use it before I sell it.  It gets one chance to impress me.  It fails, it's outta there.  That's just the way it is with me.

[RebelRebel]

I think a review in TapeOp had nice things to say about the Fathead Ribbon... I've eyed their sd condensers but basically because I'm cheap... I haven't seen any good words printed on them.

and fwiw, I decided NOT to buy them.


-rj

im going to buy a couple more..they are that good. i have ridiculous numbers of condensors.but  need more ribbons!

[Gutbucket]

In poking around for an inexpensive SDC mic that has figure-8 caps..

I'd like to find a pair of these, too.  Let us know what turns up, Brian.

[TNJazz]

you dont try it in a vareity of different situations/? I used to HATE dpa 4006, but the 3rd time i heard them I was blown away..completely different situation/

I dont know about the m39, but I do have two of the fathead ribbons, and they are damn fine!

You are such a gear slut   

Well now..I do USE my gear before selling it and I do keep it over a week. *cough* TNJAZZ* cough..

  I am more of a gear hoarder..

I always use it before I sell it.  It gets one chance to impress me.  It fails, it's outta there.  That's just the way it is with me.

It depends on the situation.  Right now the bulk of my work is in one particular club, and the options for using mics differently are not as varied.  "One chance" is perhaps a bit of an exaggeration though.  Some gear gets a few chances in a few different uses (close miking, ambient, etc).

[rowjimmy]

I think a review in TapeOp had nice things to say about the Fathead Ribbon... I've eyed their sd condensers but basically because I'm cheap... I haven't seen any good words printed on them.

and fwiw, I decided NOT to buy them.


-rj

im going to buy a couple more..they are that good. i have ridiculous numbers of condensors.but  need more ribbons!

I'm def. keeping the Fathead in mind for the (hopefully) not-too-distant future when I invest in a ribbon mic. I have a couple of other priorities on tap @ the moment. (that and my homebrew DVR has taken up my 'toy' budget for this month.)