Only one, Cascade Fathead II or X-15?

[Slaytex]

I really want both of these mics but may only be able to get just one for now. I can get 2 Fatheads or the X-15. Which would you choose and why? I'm looking to use it on guitar cabs and for drum OH/room.
Thanks.

[GravityRobert]

2 Fatheads, gives you more options versus two ribbons in one casing. However, for stereo work the x-15 should be optimal. However, I will never do any business with cascade but thats for another reason...

[Slaytex]

Anyone else, yay or nay?

[Slaytex]

Actually I got some more money together and I'm getting both.
Also has anyone used a ribbon mic on a snare? I plan on trying it about 2-3 inches from the shell and pointing it towards the top head at a 45 degree angle.
Don't worry I won't it.

[PhatStax Drums]

I should preface this with letting you know that mixing/recording is a long-time avocation for me, but never a full-time thing, obviously there are guys on here that know a LOT more than me.

I've used ribbons on snare drum with very good results (for my level of work). I also have an Altec saltshaker microphone (a dynamic mic with what I understand is basically a tweeter speaker as a transducer) and surprusingly (somewhat), the detail and overall sound was somewhat similar (to my level of ears). In that particular case I was using a Beyer M-500 (designed as an excellent live vocal mic but makes sense since it has built-in protection for the ribbon) on the snare.

Have also used a Nady RSM-2 (large ribbon geometry budget model) on snare and the sound is nice and fat.

Yeah, as long as you DON'T HIT IT, and you're not playing super-loud, and you're keeping the mic away from the air hole or other moving air, and using a preamp with at least 1,500 ohms minimum input impedance, you should get good results, especially if you play the drum well.

What nice posts I write....

Well, anyway, hope this helps at least somewhat...

ALSO.....a ribbon mic (RCA 77) was used, according to Steve Cropper, on ALL or just about all the early Stax hits (Al Jackson Jr., drums). Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Booker T. and the MGs......listen to the snare sound on those records, and tell me if you think a ribbon on the snare is a good idea.

Mind you, the ribbon was not real close-in on the snare, it was picking up the snare, hi-hat, and ride tom, so, not exactly what you're talking about, but, that's what it was being recorded with.....

Go about three-quarters of the page down here:

Drummerworld: Al Jackson

and you'll see a picture of Al Jackson being recorded with a 77 (the last substantive pic on the page before the miscellaneous end material on that page).

[redddog]

Originally Posted by GravityRobert

2 Fatheads, gives you more options versus two ribbons in one casing. However, for stereo work the x-15 should be optimal. However, I will never do any business with cascade but thats for another reason...

What was the reason? I had sort of a weird run in with them as well. I had a matched pair of FH IIs for OHs and my room is acoustically crappy. So they didn't really work for that application. I called him to return them and he was really pissy. I told him thay weren't right for the room and if I ever got my room together, I would like to try them and he basically told me that he wouldn't sell them to me.

Very weird, I thought.

[Slaytex]

Originally Posted by PhatStax Drums

I should preface this with letting you know that mixing/recording is a long-time avocation for me, but never a full-time thing, obviously there are guys on here that know a LOT more than me.

I've used ribbons on snare drum with very good results (for my level of work). I also have an Altec saltshaker microphone (a dynamic mic with what I understand is basically a tweeter speaker as a transducer) and surprusingly (somewhat), the detail and overall sound was somewhat similar (to my level of ears). In that particular case I was using a Beyer M-500 (designed as an excellent live vocal mic but makes sense since it has built-in protection for the ribbon) on the snare.

Have also used a Nady RSM-2 (large ribbon geometry budget model) on snare and the sound is nice and fat.

Yeah, as long as you DON'T HIT IT, and you're not playing super-loud, and you're keeping the mic away from the air hole or other moving air, and using a preamp with at least 1,500 ohms minimum input impedance, you should get good results, especially if you play the drum well.

What nice posts I write....

Well, anyway, hope this helps at least somewhat...

ALSO.....a ribbon mic (RCA 77) was used, according to Steve Cropper, on ALL or just about all the early Stax hits (Al Jackson Jr., drums). Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Booker T. and the MGs......listen to the snare sound on those records, and tell me if you think a ribbon on the snare is a good idea.

Mind you, the ribbon was not real close-in on the snare, it was picking up the snare, hi-hat, and ride tom, so, not exactly what you're talking about, but, that's what it was being recorded with.....

Go about three-quarters of the page down here:

Drummerworld: Al Jackson

and you'll see a picture of Al Jackson being recorded with a 77 (the last substantive pic on the page before the miscellaneous end material on that page).

Very cool and informative history lesson... Thanks!

[PhatStax Drums]

Ah yes, one other thing, you've probably thought about, but, it can be easy to forget:

BE C E R T A I N that the ribbon mic is not in the "blast zone" of the hi-hat!!!!!! It may not do anything apparent (other than sound bad), but it likely WILL stretch the ribbon (if not worse), which over repeated stretchings will eventually lead to a repair or replace.

But all my ribbons work fine after a lot of careful use. Some of the ribbon mics I have are fifty years old (one was probably used in Chess Studios). (Okay, some I bought pre-blown and haven't gotten around to having them re-ribboned yet, but all the ones I acquired intact are fine).

[Slaytex]

That's good to know. My hats fully open are maybe 1/8" apart though, so this should never be an issue.
Thanks for the heads up.