Blue Microphones
Blue Cactus
Large-diaphragm tube condenser (ECC 88), multi-pattern: nine patterns from omni to figure-8 set on the power supply; B7 capsule, transformer output
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Power Stream power supply (115/230 V AC, 50/60 Hz); no phantom power.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −34.9 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 10 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 81%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 82%
- Max SPL
- 134 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 33%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 30%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 1998
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 61% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 36% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 4.
"Cactus | Omni" graph; dB scale +20 to -20, relative. Irregular (not logarithmic) frequency axis. Distance, room and smoothing not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 4. Approximate
Polar plot in the omni panel; "Each Concentric Circle = +5 dB"; rings not labelled. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: the graph's dB scale is not labelled and was assumed.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | B7: large diaphragm, single backplate, multi-pattern version of the B7 Bottle capsule"a multi-pattern variation of the B7 Bottle microphone capsule. This large diaphragm, single back-plate capsule". | p. 4 |
| Sensitivity | −34.9 dBV/Pa (18 mV/Pa)Not stated by the manufacturer: Converted from "18.0mV/Pa at 1kHz" (20 log10 0.018 = -34.9). Pattern not stated. | p. 8 |
| Self-noise | 10 dB(A)IEC 651. "Noise Level • 10 dB–A (IEC651)". | |
| Max SPL | 134 dB SPL2.5 kohm load, 0.5% THD. "134 dB SPL (2.5kΩ, 0.5% THD)". | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 84 dBA-weighted, IEC 651. "S/N Ratio • 84 dB–A (IEC 651)". | |
| Dynamic range | 124 dB2.5 kohm. "124 dB (@ 2.5kΩ)". | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohm"Output Impedance • 50Ω". The technical page (p. 7) says the 10:1 transformer gives "a low output impedance, typically 150 ohms". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmnot less than. "Rated Load Impedance • Not less than 1 kΩ". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | Power Stream power supply (115/230 V AC, 50/60 Hz); no phantom power"Power Requirement • Cactus Power Supply Unit 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz". Page 3: "It is not necessary or advisable to connect the Power Stream power supply to a 48V phantom power source." | |
| Connector | multi-pin socket on the mic (Champagne tube cable to the power supply); XLR from the power supplyPage 3: "the multi-pin output jack"; the Quad cable runs from the Power Stream to the preamp. The pin count is not stated. | p. 3 |
| Weight | 800 g"Weight • 800g". | p. 8 |
| Dimensions | 235 × 50 × 30 mm"Dimensions • 235mm x 50mm x 30mm"; not said which is which. | |
| Supplied accessories | S2 Shock shock mount; flight case; IEC mains cable; Champagne tube mic cable; Power Stream power supply"Included Accessories". | |
| Tube | ECC 88, hand-selected after a week of burn-in; Class A, fully discrete, common-cathode circuit | p. 7 |
| Output transformer | Blue's own, hand-built, balanced two-bobbin (humbucking) design, ratio 10:1 | |
| Pad and low cut | None: "there are no pad or low-cut filter switches in the microphone circuit" | p. 3 |
| Pattern switch | Nine positions on the Power Stream supply, omni (fully counter-clockwise) to figure-8 (fully clockwise) | p. 8 |
| Power supply | Power Stream with soft start: heater first, plate voltage ramped from 10 V to 120 V after about 80 s; output muted for about three minutes; 110/220 V AC switch (fuse 500 mA at 110 V, 250 mA at 220 V) | |
| Transport screws | Three brass set screws lock the capsule for shipping; remove them before use | p. 3 |
| Recommended accessories | The Pop (universal windscreen); Quad Cable; S2 Shock | p. 8 |
| Warranty | Three years from purchase (to the original, registered owner) | p. 9 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1998 | |
Documents
- Cactus manual
- Blue Microphones Cactus | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Blue Microphones, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.