I admit to going into this review with a tad bit of high-end ribbon mic
snobbery, but was quickly won over by the Fat Head II A/P’s pillowy
highs and monstrous yet dimensional low end. Add in its unique
active/passive design’s technical advantages, and Cascade has ensured
that this mic’s cult following will continue to grow... and I’m a
convert. - Paul
Vnuk Jr.-REVIEWER FOR RECORDING
"I think you have a hit with these mics. They sound significantly
better than my other Fat Heads and they are amazingly flexible. The
engineer, who assisted me on my tracking session a couple of weeks ago,
wants to buy a pair." - Russ Long- Audio Engineer and Reviewer for Pro Audio Review
“Had a chance to really give the Active a workout last night. It's
killer!!!! Surprisingly bright and full. Made a mediocre acoustic guitar
sing. Was flattering on a pair of vocalists (using front & back
simultaneously). Can't wait to use on drums/percussion. “ - Charles A Martinez- FOH for
Steely Dan, Engineer at Audio Paints Studio, NYC.
PATENT PENDING
Acoustic guitar and vocal sample using one FAT HEAD II Active
Sample Courtesy of Terry Holder
The Wood Brothers-Keep Me Around
Buddy Miller and Mike Poole worked on the newest Wood Brothers recording "The Muse". This video features our new ACTIVE/PASSIVE FAT HEAD II microphone as well as the GOMEZ short ribbon microphones.
Legendary symmetrical short ribbon
design is incorporated into the FAT
HEAD II Active/Passive
The FAT HEAD II
Active/Passive ribbon microphone is
a first for this type of design.
This unique feature allows the user
to have the option to switch between
either mode with a simple flick of
an internal switch. The Active mode
requires phantom power and will add
up to 25db of gain, (this opens up
the option to use this microphone
with a wide range of preamps). The
use of a very low noise differential
amplifier circuit provides high gain
while keeping the noise level low.
We have optimized the circuit to
preserve the warm, open, detailed
tone of our Active/Passive ribbon
mic by choosing operating conditions
and electronic components that
minimize tonal alterations. The
discrete active devices in the mic
are carefully matched for minimum
distortion. By isolating the output
of the ribbon from the microphone
preamp the ribbon is consistently
loaded at an optimal value resulting
in less ribbon loading coloration.
This set-up is extremely quiet and
can handle 135 dB SPL. The Passive
mode is best utilized with high gain
preamps that are capable of powering
the microphone with sufficient gain
and eliminated the self noise that
is usually evident in low gain
preamps. Extremely long cable runs
with minimal signal loss is possible
due to the low-impedance output of
the FAT HEAD II ACTIVE/PASSIVE, in
addition, the ribbon element is
resistant to damage by phantom
power.
Key Features:
Phantom-powered
Active
electronics
provide stable
impedance and
higher output
for maximum
compatibility
with microphone
preamplifiers
Passive mode
provides the
option for use
with a high-gain
preamp (where
extra gain is
not
needed)
Smooth,
warm and natural
voicing for
instrument
reproduction
High-SPL
capability and
extended
frequency
response
Extremely
powerful N50
neodymium
magnets for high
output level
High
sensitivity and
low self-noise
This
microphone is
perfect for use
on a wide range
of instruments
(guitar cabs,
vocals, strings,
horns drum
overheads,
orchestras and
more) and
live-stage
settings.
Active or
Passive mode is
activated by a
simple
flick-of-a-switch
Active
electronics are
designed,
manufactured and
fitted in the
USA
Versatility,
compatibility
with the widest
range of mic
preamps, we have
also made the
active gain
stage internally
switchable, so
that you can
bypass the
active gain
stage, using a
high quality
switch with gold
contacts.
ACTIVE/PASSIVE
switch is
mounted
internally for
safety (caution
should be used
when engaging
the Active
switch, an
additional 25db
of gain will be
added to the
signal path)
The active portion of the Fathead II
Active/Passive ribbon microphone is a carefully adjusted
differential cascade JFET amplifier where the phantom power supply
6K81 current limiting resistors are used as the cascode stage drain
load resistors.The
challenge of very low noise is met by using very high
transconductance audio hand-matched JFETs operated at relatively low
current.The operating
point is adjusted to provide the best sound through a mixture of
individual JFET source degeneration and differential operation.Stability with a wide range of audio cables is ensured by
limiting the bandwidth of the differential cascade amplifier using
two complementary frequency roll-off networks.These networks are realized with high quality polyphenylene
sulfide chip capacitors.
The load for the ribbon was chosen by listening, as well, to open up
the top end while providing good balance with the bass.In order to provide an appropriate signal level for the
differential cascade amplifier, the ribbon is interfaced through a
1:37 Lundahl LL2913 ribbon mic transformer.The switch provides either the transformer output signal
directly or the further active amplified signal to the XLR connector
on the mic.
