Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD II Guide

Cascade
Microphones
FAT HEAD II Active/Passive
Ribbon Microphone
Manual And User Guide
Meticulously Designed And Assembled In e USA

Welcome To e FAT HEAD II Active/Passive Ribbon Microphone
Cascade Microphones is pleased to oer the rst Active/Passive Ribbon
Microphone to the pro audio market. is microphone is truly capable
of oering a wide variety of uses by employing sophisticated modern
technology with the best of old school workmanship. Cascade’s pat-
ent pending Active/Passive switching allows the user to choose the best
method for getting their desired result in the recording process. e
Active electronics utilizes a world class amplifying circuit that provides
up to 25db of gain with very low noise. e end result is an Active Rib-
bon that is very open sounding, with plenty of gain. e sound is still
very natural and completely phase coherent. For users that also desire a
Passive Ribbon we have included an internal switch that will allow users
that option by simply icking a switch. In Passive Mode the microphone
becomes essentially a FAT HEAD II with a Lundahl LL2913 transformer.
is combination has received rave reviews over the years, and has found
it itself equally at home in large recording studios as well as home studios
all over the world. is manual is intended to provide you with basic
instructions as well as tips and care so that you may get the most out of
your new Cascade FAT HEAD II Active/Passive microphone.
Your Microphone Includes e Following Accessories:
• Aluminum case
• Heavy duty premium schockmount
• Padded storage bag
• Drawcord cloth storage pouch (very handy when leaving your micro-
phone on a mic stand)
• Microber cleaning cloth
We have many resources and information on our website at:
www.cascademicrophones.com

General Information About Ribbon Microphones
For those of you new to ribbon microphones welcome and to those of
you that have used ribbon microphones in the past or present just think
of this as a reminder.
• Ribbon microphones are known for their very natural sound and
gentle compression that they add to the audio signal. ey are espe-
cially useful in todays world of digital recording by providing a nice
smooth top end. We do not employ any electronics that change the
frequency response of our ribbons, we have believed that the more
natural the sound the better the result.
• Cascade ribbons can handle up to 135db of sound pressure, but air
pressure (wind) is the enemy of all ribbon microphones. It is highly
recommended that you use an approved Pop Filter (such as the
Cascade PF-1) when recording Vocals, Horns, or any other source
that produces air movement. It is also highly recommended that
you take extreme caution if you plan on recording bass guitar or
kick drums. A burst of air can stretch your ribbon leading to di-
minished performance and the need to re-ribbon your microphone.
• Your microphone is a gure eight pattern and will give you many
recording options not found in most dynamic and condenser mics.
Please visit www.cascademicrophones.com for complete informa-
tion.
• Your ribbon microphone is sensitive and should always be used in
the provided shockmount for the best result.
• Use your microphone on a suitable microphone stand and be sure
not to drop it or let you microphone hit any hard surfaces.
• We have provided a cover for your microphone when leaving it on a
stand, this helps keep dust from the ribbon element.

General Operating Instructions
It is very important the read and understand the instructions for operating
this microphone. Failure to follow the instructions in this manual could
lead to damage of your audio equipment and/or your microphone.
Here A Few Basic Concepts Of Your New Active/Passive Microphone.
• When operating this microphone in Active mode you will need to
employ 48 volt phantom power. is is usually a switch that can be
found on most mixers or recording devices.
• When the microphone is in Active mode you will receive about 25db of
increased gain. Please take care when plugging your microphone into
your recording device or mixer that the input and output gain knobs/
faders are down.
• You are able to switch this microphone into a Passive mode that allows
it to function as a traditional ribbon microphone. Although Cascade
Ribbon Microphones are phantom power safe it is still a good idea to
turn your phantom power o when using this as a Passive ribbon mi-
crophone.
• Caution should be used when using a microphone patch bay. Do not
hot swap through a patch bay. Unplug your microphone then patch
then plug your microphone back in. It is also best not to “hot swap” this
microphone with phantom power on, please turn o your phantom
power whenever you plugging this microphone into a mic cord.
• Use caution when switching between Active and Passive modes. If for
some reason you are not sure if your microphone is working properly
it always best to check what mode your microphone is in and be sure
to have your mixer/recording device set-up properly to work with the
selected mode. Do not apply phantom power to this microphone with
your input gain up or your headphones on. Always take your head-
phones o your ears if you are applying phantom power or adjusting
your gain settings.

Operating Instructions In Active Mode
Your microphone is shipped to you in Active mode, and will require 48
volt phantom power.
Our Active/Passive Ribbon microphone features an ultra low noise high
gain output section that will give you years of use and enjoyment. In Ac-
tive mode you will enjoy the benets of ribbon microphones as well as
increased options for recording.
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your ribbon mic in Active
Mode:
• e output of your microphone in Active mode will be very similar to
a normal condenser microphone. is will allow you to operate your
gain stage in a normal manner without having to rely on the preamp
as much as you normally due with many ribbon microphones.
• With its increased output you will be able to place the microphone in
its ideal location when recording acoustic instruments without having
to be concerned about gain.
• You will not have to worry about phantom power being applied and
damaging the ribbon.
• e ultra quiet circuit and proximity eect make this microphone
ideal for capturing vocals without any harshness. e perfect im-
pedance output will allow you to capture all of the high frequencies
without any distortion.
• Other suggested uses for the microphone in Active mode include:
Acoustic Guitar, Drum Overheads, String Sections, Choirs, Horn Sec-
tions, and many more. As always feel free to experiment.
• e FAT HEAD II Active/Passive is very phase coherent making it an
ideal microphone for recording ensembles of any type in stereo.

Switching e Microphone To Passive Mode
e design of this microphone started out as an Active FAT HEAD II rib-
bon. While we were designing it we tested the Active Circuit with vari-
ous gain stages in order to make this microphone as useful for as many
applications as possible. It became apparent to accomplish this we should
incorporate a switch that would allow the choice of using this microphone
as standard ribbon microphone (Passive Mode) as well as an Active rib-
bon.
To switch the microphone to Passive Mode please follow these steps:
• Turn down the gains on you mixer and/or recorder. Turn o the
phantom power on your mixer. Unplug the microphone from your
source.
• Unscrew the base of the microphone and slide the body o the micro-
phone.
• e switch is located on the circuit board as shown below. Locate the
switch and move it to passive mode.
• Reassemble the microphone, keep the phantom power o on the mix-
er and plug it back in. You will notice now that you will have less gain
and the microphone will respond as a normal ribbon microphone.
e Lundahl transformer will still be in the circuit.
e switch is located here. Move the switch to Pas-
sive to operate as traditional ribbon microphone.
Unscrew the base here.

Switching Back To Active Mode
Operating In Passive Mode
• Although your FAT HEAD II Active/Passive is phantom power safe
we still recommend that you leave phantom power o when operat-
ing the microphone in passive mode.
• In Passive Mode you will need to increase the gain quite a bit on your
preamp to get the same output signal that you had with the micro-
phone in Active Mode.
• Passive Mode works very well in situations where you would want
the sound of our ribbon microphone without the addition of the ac-
tive circuit. e best applications for this would be; electric guitars,
single horns, drum overheads, or any situation where you are nd-
ing that the Active Mode is providing output at a higher level then is
ideal for you.
• Turn down the input and output of your mixer and/or recording
device.
• Unplug the microphone from your audio source.
• Unscrew the base of the microphone and remove the body.
• Put the internal switch to the Active position and reassemble the
microphone.
• Once again check that the input and output stages are turned down
on your recording device and/or mixer and plug the microphone
back in.
• Turn on the phantom power and slowly bring the gain up to the de-
sired level. You will need much less gain then in the passive mode.
Please read the following section and make sure to follow these steps
when switching your microphone back to Active Mode. Failure to
follow these steps could lead to damage to your microphone and
audio equipment.

Specications In Active Mode
Specications In Passive Mode
Warranty Information
Contact Information
Cascade Microphones
630 O’Leary ST NW
Olympia WA.
98502
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.cascademicrophones.com
Hours: Mon-Fri.....9:00am - 5:00pm PST
Cascade Microphones warrants all products against defects in materials and work-
manship for a period of (5) ve years from the date of original consumer purchase.
e original ribbon or capsule elements carry a (1) one year warranty from the date
of purchase and oer a one time replacement during the warranty period if they fail
within the rst year. Cascade Microphones will either repair or replace the product at
no charge. Buyer is responsible for return shipping charges if past the initial rst 30
days of purchase. Please visit www.cascademicrophones.com for details.
Frequency Response: 60HZ to 15,000Hz +/- 3dbs
Maximum SPL: 135 SPL
Polar Pattaren: Figure 8
Sensitivity: -39dBv +/- 2 dB (0 dB=1V/Pa)
Power Requirments: 48 Volt Phantom Power
Frequency Response: 60HZ to 13,000Hz +/- 3dbs
Maximum SPL: 135 SPL
Polar Pattaren: Figure 8
Sensitivity: -56 db +/- 2 dB (0 dB=1V/Pa)