Blue Microphone Cactus Description

In the tradition of the world's best (and most expensive) vintage vocal microphones, The Cactus delivers a commanding, intimate presence and larger-than-life detail. The amplifier design is a transformer-balanced single vacuum tube sub-miniature pentode in a triode mode, along with the highest quality hand-selected electronic components to insure low noise and minimal distortion. At a distance, The Cactus delivers every nuance in the room, with finely focused resolution and clear, musical frequency response to the extremes of the audible spectrum. Up close, with its detailed highs and smooth midrange, the nine-pattern Cactus excels at delivering a vocal or solo track right to the front of the mix where it belongs.

Blue Microphone Cactus Characteristics

• Nine-pattern condenser - cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8 with variable settings in between
• Vintage Class A discrete tube amplifier circuit
• Blue's B7 hand-built capsule tuned for multipatterns
• Vintage sound, detailed midrange for the classic tube mic recording with nine different remote selectable patterns
• Integrated capsule shockmounting; mic hand-tuned and tested
• Includes the premium quality PowerStream Tube Power Supply, Champagne tube mic cable, ATA flight case, and Series 2 integrated shockmount

Blue Microphone Cactus Suggested Applications

• Male Vocals, Female Vocals, Classical Acoustic Piano & Horns

Blue Microphone Cactus Tech Specifications

• Transducer Type: Vacuum Tube Condenser, Pressure Gradient: Vacuum Tube Condenser, Pressure Gradient
• Polar Pattern: Multipattern
• Frequency Response: 20Hz — 20Khz
• Sensitivity: 18.0mV/Pa at 1kHz (1 Pa = 9 4dB SPL)
• Output Impedance: 50Ω
• Rated Load Impedance: Not less than 1kΩ
• Maximum SPL: 134 dB SPL (2.5kΩ, 0.5% THD)
• S/N Ratio: 84 dB-A (IEC 651)
• Noise Level: 10 dB-A (IEC 651)
• Dynamic Range: 124 dB (@ 2.5kΩ)
• Power Requirement: Cactus Power Supply Unit 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz Weight: 800g
• Dimensions (mm): 235mm x 50mm x 30mm

BLUE Cactus Review / See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page Another knock out ‘looker’ from BLUE! Seriously, it seems there is no limit to the diverse appearance these guys are able to crank out time after time. This multi patterned mic utilizes a version of the B7 capsule (U47 reference) in a dual capsule formation, which allows 9 patterns to be selected from the power supply. The mic is all Class A tube and utilizes a transformer output for a thicker sound that oozes vibe. Overall I’d say the Cactus has a somewhat ‘muscular’ sound in the midrange, a lot of power there to be had. Thick and slightly dark, it has a focused and tight sound. On guitar cabs it’s one of those rare condensers that deliver it right without too much buzzy top end. Vocals aren’t real airy and open, just focused almost like how a good dynamic does in some ways. Still, a dynamic mic can’t deliver this kind of gut punch and detail in the mids! The Cactus is also one of those tube mics that well, sounds like a tube mic (or what you expect). Conclusion: For a thick and muscular sound that handles everything in a smooth manner, the Cactus is a great reach. Its multi pattern capability means it would be one of the more useful yet smooth sounding mics in your arsenal.