Cascade Vs Nady

[nate_dennis]

I have heard/read that the Cascade Fathead and the Nady RSM 4 are the same mic, just repackaged. Is this true? Or, maybe are the capsules the same but other components different? Anyone have any ideas?

If they are the same why is the fathead almost twice the cost of an RSM4? Thanks guys.

 

[dgatwood]

There are no real components in a ribbon mic except the transformer and the capsule.

To answer the question, the big difference between the Nady and the Cadcade mics is the return rate. Nady is a basic rebadger. They take the product straight off the boat from China, throw it in a bag, throw that in a box, and ship it, high rate of sagging ribbons and all.

Cascade reportedly does their own ribboning work, which means there's a better chance of getting a good one.

 

[nate_dennis]

There are no real components in a ribbon mic except the transformer and the capsule.

To answer the question, the big difference between the Nady and the Cadcade mics is the return rate. Nady is a basic rebadger. They take the product straight off the boat from China, throw it in a bag, throw that in a box, and ship it, high rate of sagging ribbons and all.

Cascade reportedly does their own ribboning work, which means there's a better chance of getting a good one.

That's good info to have. Thank you. I hear a lot of good things about the Fatheads, so I think come studio rebuild time, I'll get one or two. Thank you.

 

[Shadow_7]

Cascade does a fair amount of a QA checking, but they also gut the electronics with better components. Or so I've heard. Although I think that their component upgrade costs are bit bloated. i.e. the Lundhal upgrade is $150 per mic, for what is basically the swapping of a $50 part. Which you could do yourself and basically save $100 per mic. Even if the technician is slow and does a full hour per mic with QA checking they're making $100 an hour? As I look and see that the cinemag upgrade costs the same for what is reportedly an even cheaper part.

 

[moresound]

I've got both and I have no quorums with my RSM 4s.

 

[nate_dennis]

the Lundhal upgrade is $150 per mic, for what is basically the swapping of a $50 part.

I'm sure I'm a cheap bastard, but I have no intention of getting the Lundhal upgrade. If I ever feel the mic needs to be upgraded I'll learn to do it myself and do it.

I've got both and I have no quorums with my RSM 4s.

How do they sound comparative to each other? Would you be willing to throw out an A/B of the two (if you have one?)

 

[dgatwood]

Cascade does a fair amount of a QA checking, but they also gut the electronics with better components. Or so I've heard. Although I think that their component upgrade costs are bit bloated. i.e. the Lundhal upgrade is $150 per mic, for what is basically the swapping of a $50 part. Which you could do yourself and basically save $100 per mic. Even if the technician is slow and does a full hour per mic with QA checking they're making $100 an hour? As I look and see that the cinemag upgrade costs the same for what is reportedly an even cheaper part.

IMHO, the Lundahl is definitely a worthwhile upgrade, and although I might do it myself on a $100 mic, I might be a little hesitant to do it on a more expensive mic just for warranty reasons. *shrugs*

BTW, in the U.S., those Lundahl transformers are closer to $70 apiece, so you'd save a little less than you think. You'd probably have to have a 2912 to fit in that mic. Still, it's not a hard upgrade.