Pinnacle Microphones Fat Top II Black w/ Lundahl Stereo Pair
Best stereo ribbon pair for capturing warm, professional instrument recordings.
Experience classic warmth with this stereo pair of ribbon microphones. Featuring high-quality Lundahl transformers, these passive microphones deliver a rich, fat, and rounded tone ideal for close-miking instruments like guitar cabs, piano, and brass. The bi-directional polar pattern provides excellent sound isolation, and when used in a Blumlein setup, they capture room ambiance beautifully. Enjoy an extended frequency range and improved definition for professional-grade audio.
$979.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
108
/ 3374
#108 in Microphones
Price vs Category Average
+41%
Above average
Type
Ribbon (velocity) Microphone
/ Ribbon (velocity) Microphone
Who it's for
- Engineers seeking pristine signal clarity and low noise performance
- Producers requiring perfect phase alignment for stereo recording
- Musicians recording harsh instruments needing a warm, vintage tone
Who should skip it
- Studio owners needing durable gear for high-traffic environments
- Recordists lacking high-gain, low-noise microphone preamplifiers
- Engineers requiring versatile polar patterns for complex miking setups
Performance breakdown
Sonic Warmth
Delivers that classic, rounded ribbon character essential for smooth instrument tracking.
Transformer Quality
Lundahl components provide superior signal clarity and professional-grade frequency definition.
Stereo Imaging
Perfectly matched pair excels at capturing immersive room ambiance and depth.
SPL Handling
Robust design manages high-volume guitar cabinets without sacrificing tonal integrity.
Isolation Precision
Symmetrical figure-eight pattern offers excellent rejection of unwanted off-axis noise.
Build Integrity
High-purity aluminum ribbon construction ensures lasting performance for studio workhorses.
Key Specs
Type
Ribbon (velocity) Microphone
Ribbon Type & Dimensions
99.99% Pure Aluminum, 2.5 microns, 1 3/4” (L) X 3/16” (W)
Polar Pattern
Symmetrical Figure 8
Sensitivity
-54.4 dB (1.5 mV/Pa)
Frequency Response
30 to 15 KHz (+/- 3dB)
Impedance
<=200 Ohms
Recommended Load Impedance
1000 Ohms
Max SPL (1% THD @1000 Hz)
135 dB
Know before you buy
The Lundahl LL2913 transformer is a high-end component that improves signal clarity and transient response. It helps the Fat Top II maintain its classic, warm ribbon character while providing better definition and a more open sound compared to standard transformers.
Because these are passive ribbon microphones with a sensitivity of -54.4 dB, they perform best with a high-quality, clean preamp that offers plenty of gain. If your interface preamps are noisy at high settings, you may want to pair these with an inline preamp booster.
Yes, they are well-suited for that purpose. With a maximum SPL rating of 135 dB, they can comfortably handle the high sound pressure levels produced by guitar amplifiers without distorting.
A Blumlein configuration uses the microphones' figure-8 polar patterns to capture a natural, phase-coherent stereo image. It is an excellent technique for recording acoustic instruments, drum overheads, or room ambiance where you want a realistic sense of space.
While they are primarily marketed for instruments, their warm and rounded tone can work beautifully on certain vocalists, particularly those with sibilant or harsh-sounding voices. Keep in mind that they are figure-8, so you will need to manage the room acoustics behind the singer.
Ribbon microphones are delicate instruments. Always store them upright in their cases, avoid exposing them to direct blasts of air or wind, and never apply phantom power unless you are certain your setup is safe, as older or faulty equipment can potentially damage the ribbon element.
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