Cascade - X-15 - Single Element Ribbon Stereo Microphone

Click to enlarge

The X-15 Stereo ribbon microphone houses two separate matched ribbon motors that are positioned one above the other. The elements are offset 90 degrees and are configured in the Blumlein setup. Stereo separation is superb and off-axis coloration is minimal. Add in the excellent sensitivity and frequency response range the X-15 is ready for the big leagues. The fit and finish are of top quality and includes a premium suspension shockmount, thick padded vinyl pouch and an upgraded aluminum case. A 5-pin cable is included, the cable connects to a metal splitter box where two separate XLR connectors give access the to upper and lower ribbon motors.

Legendary Symmetrical Ribbon Design

Unlike most ribbon motors designed today with an offset ribbon element the new Cascade X-15 houses two hand-tuned ribbon elements that incorporate the legendary symmetrical ribbon design. This design offers a true figure 8 pattern. The corrugated aluminum membrane itself is positioned in the center from front to back, thus producing a balanced audio input signal to both sides of the ribbon assembly.

Specifications:

• Type: Stereo Ribbon (velocity) Microphone
• Ribbon type & Dimensions:99% Pure aluminum, 2 X 2.5 micron, 1 3/4" (L) X 3/16" (W)
• Polar pattern: Figure 8)
• Sensitivity: -51.7 dB +/- 2 dB (2.6 mV/Pa)
• Frequency response: 30 to -18,000 Hz (+/- 3dB)
• Output Impedance: <=200 Ohms
• Recommended load impedance: >1000 Ohms
• Max.SPL (1% THD @1000 Hz): 145 dB
• Connector: Heavy gauge 5-Pin male XLR
• XLR Pin-out: Lower Ribbon, Pin 1 Hot, Pin 2 Cold, Upper Ribbon, Pin 4 Hot, Pin 5 cold, Pin 3 ground

Includes:

• Cascade X-15 Stereo Ribbon Microphone
• Specifications and measurements from Cross-Spectrum Labs
• Premium Suspension mount
• Wind filter
• 30ft. 5-Pin XLR cable
• Metal splitter box
• Thick padded vinyl pouch
• Upgrade aluminum case
• Micro-fiber cleaning cloth

Applications:

• Drum overheads
• Guitar cabinets
• Acoustic guitars
• Horns
• Piano
• Room ambiance
• Percussion
• Choir
• Orchestra.

Customer Feedback:

I put the X-15 up over a drum kit as an overhead. Plugged it into my True Precision Mic pre in channels 1 & 2 which have the MS encoding. Brought up the volume and then ....picked my jaw up off the floor. Complete and total amazement. I've used Royer Stereo as Drum overheads with mixed...if not poor results. The X15 was stunning. The True Pre gave me way more gain than I needed too. I was not having to crank my pre to 'levels unknown'.

The imaging was amazing, and it got all the drums and the room in a wonderful balance.

Samples Courtesy of The Disney Sax Quartet

The MP3 samples were recorded by the Disney Quartet on the live-to-air jazz concert for a local public radio station in Orlando Fl. John Marsden donates his time & equipment as part of trying to keep the genre alive. Instead of micing each instrument individually and then mixing, John records live-to-air to his laptop running DP. John put up the Cascade X-15 stereo ribbon (which was responsible for 75% of the signal) in a X-Y configuration along with the FAT HEAD as a mono and let the musicians do what they do best. John's reaction: WOW - total warmth with air on top - you can hear where every musician is located and all the subtleties of their playing - and the self compression of these mics is just so SWEET!!

X-15 MP3 Drum Sample: Courtesy of Charlie Morgan

The X-15 was setup in a X-Y configuration dead center over the drum kit. Std. transformer used on this MP3 sample.

Note: A variety of other types of microphones were also used on this MP3 sample.

Charlie Morgan's credits include 14 years with Elton John, the 1st three Kate Bush records, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, Trisha Yearwood, and MANY others. http://www.manicdrums.com

Available with Swedish Made Lundahl LL2912 Transformer