Fathead vs. Nady RSM-4

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sad iron
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Fathead vs. Nady RSM-4

Post by sad iron » Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:15 am

Just wondering if folks have had any experiences with comparing these two mics. I'm going to buy a ribbon, but the fact that I can get 2 of the Nady for the price of one Fathead is tempting me. They seem to be ostensibly the same basic mic with better QC on the Fathead side if the equation. Or am I mistaken? or does it matter?

Here's to making an informed purchase.
Last edited by sad iron on Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by hild » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:11 am

Hey man. Sorry to be a pain in the ass: no, I have not tried the RSM 4. But I'm looking at it online and I notice it's wayyyy cheap. I do own a Fathead with the Lundahl upgrade and I fully, totally support it over something that is suspiciously cheaper.

The fathead is one of the coolest sounds I ever got so cheap. Matter of fact, we just ordered a second one for stereo work since we were so impressed by the sound of the first fathead. If you want, save a buck and get the non-lundalled model, and buy a lundahl trasnformer at a later time. It says right on the Cascade site which one model tranny ls.

Lastly, as far as I know, Cascade has way better QC, and really does test their ribbons to be the thickness they claim. I don't know if that's true, but either way, I have a great mic that has been nothing but good surprises.
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Post by getreel » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:21 am

They are close to being the exact same mic I think. I have a Fat Head and I like it OK. It's not as great on vocals as I had hoped it would be when I bought it, but it does work very well on guitar amps. I still like my 421 better for that purpose. I guess Cascade's QC could be better but they are both imported Chinese mics probably from the same factory even.

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Post by sad iron » Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:57 am

getreel wrote:They are close to being the exact same mic I think. I have a Fat Head and I like it OK. It's not as great on vocals as I had hoped it would be when I bought it, but it does work very well on guitar amps. I still like my 421 better for that purpose. I guess Cascade's QC could be better but they are both imported Chinese mics probably from the same factory even.
Yeah, from what I understand, what makes the Fathead a better mic is that Cascade takes them apart when they get to the states and check ribbon tension, maybe even changes ribbons (which would make them very different mics). I guess I'm looking for verification that that's the long and short of it.

The transformer upgrade is out of my price range right now. My thoughts on the RSM-4 is that I can try them out, take them apart, eventually get them modded but what I'm reading is that as long as you get one with proper ribbon tension they can be very good mics. I don't have anything that can do figure 8 and I'm longing to try some different techniques.
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Post by getreel » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:30 am

I don't know if anyone is actually sure whether Cascade QCs every mic they get or replaces ribbons. I don't see anything on their site saying that they do. This may be lore or wishful thinking, or could be true. The only references to Cascade's QC I could find with a quick search was mere speculation on forums like this one. I know they will upgrade the transformers and possibly these upgraded mics are inspected at the same time, but who knows whether they actually inspect each and every stock mic. Maybe someone can chime in that has the real story and something to back up the QC evidence for Cascade. All I know for certain is that my stock Fat Head is a decent mic that I like on some sources.

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Post by sad iron » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:44 am

OK, well I just did a little more looking into the ribbons and the Nady has a 6 micron ribbon, while the Fathead has a 2.5 micron. That alone should make a huge difference in sound, right? Or no?
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Post by getreel » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:52 am

higher sensitivity and better high end response for the Fat Head maybe?

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Post by premiumdan » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:44 am

If anybody's interested, I can record some test files;
I have scoop-grille FatHeads and one Nady RSM-4.

See also --
KEL and Cascade files:
http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopi ... 615#531615

-Dan
U.S. off-shore drilling project: 1.5kHz @ +25db.

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Post by sad iron » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:46 am

premiumdan wrote:If anybody's interested, I can record some test files;
I have scoop-grille FatHeads and one Nady RSM-4.

See also --
KEL and Cascade files:
http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopi ... 615#531615

-Dan
Ummm...yeah, I'm real interested. That'd be awesome. And I'll check out the other files too.

Thanks!
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Sounds?

Post by premiumdan » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:52 am

'iron:

What sounds/styles are you planning?
Maybe I can record something similar...

-Dan
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Re: Sounds?

Post by sad iron » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:56 am

premiumdan wrote:'iron:

What sounds/styles are you planning?
Maybe I can record something similar...

-Dan
I'm mostly doing roots/indie rock and more acousiticy singer/songwriter stuff. Think Wilco.

Thanks, Dan.
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Re: Sounds?

Post by Artifex » Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:27 pm

sad iron wrote:Think Wilco.
Image

MMmm....Wilco...

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Test files

Post by premiumdan » Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:36 am

MicOp:

Comparison posted at:

http://messageboard.tapeop.com/viewtopi ... 967#534967

PM your address for the files.

Cheers!

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Post by getreel » Wed Feb 18, 2009 4:03 pm

I'm probably getting ready to sell my Fathead actually. I like it well enough but need some cash to pay myself back for numerous other purchases Ive made. Check the for sale section tomorrow.

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Post by kikocoolray » Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:14 pm

I own a pair of both. The fatheads are significantly better mics. Been meaning to send the nadys to michael joly for ribbon upgrades.

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