My transducer lust is never satisfied. I am looking at a Cascade ribbon mic. They offer a transformer upgrade for an extra$150. Since I will probably be running it through an ART tube/digital pre- amp, I wonder if the difference would be worth the extra price? The pre allows me to dial in the impedence, which is something I recommend everybody try some time. Does interesting things to just about all mics. http://www.cascademicrophones.com/microphones.html

 

Oooh, that's very hard to say without doing a blind test to compare the two variants, connected to the exact preamp you're planning to use of course.
Why are you interested in that ribbon mic? For its different sound characteristic, I suppose?
Who knows if the more expensive transformer will really enhance its sound in a way you appreciate...

 

Absolutely no logical reason for buying another mic. I just like microphones and don't own a ribbon. I record acoustic guitars on occasion. Pretty satisified with my drum mic set up, so I doubt it would go there. Try with a vocal maybe. I just like to tinker. I know it's a cliche phrase, but Cascades get the almost too common review: "very nice mic for the money"- etc. I really want a Sennheiser MD441U someday (even though not a ribbon). Just not in my budget right now. But then, neither is the Cascade.

 

Last edited: Aug 26, 2015

Fuck get rid of Transormers and let the beauty shine thru. If later you want the tran'fer sound then add some plugins. But capture the most open sound possible then you can do anything with it.

 

Which one, they have a few.

 

Ain't it pretty? http://www.cascademicrophones.com/cascade_fathead-2.html

 

Seems to me that there is a huge difference when you swap out transformers. 150 smackers seems to open up the top end a bunch and change the personality tons. Maybe something you could just get away with eqing, but I don't know the mic, although ribbons generally dig it. It certainly is inexpensive. Your pre has plenty gain so no prob there, and the variable phase it offers is a bonus to dial in other tones.

 

P.S. Don't your arms ever get tired banging on that cowbell...and then there's your hearing. Dude, chill!

 

Wow, even with the Lundahl transformer that's an exceptionally low price for a ribbon mic.
Still, I'd want to compare both versions before I decide, although most seem to prefer the Lundahl version.
Try it with different vocalists maybe.
Have you seen this review btw?

 

I didn't read this particular one, but another one very similar. The one I read also had A/B comparisons with and without the Lundahl transformer. Could hear the difference, just not sure if I wouldn't get similar results with my preamp. Probably one of those things that you should just go ahead, spend the money, and get the "better" version. In the long run I probably would be glad I did.