Blue Cactus User Manual Download Page 8

deteriorate the valuable microphone tube. After approximately 
80 seconds-- when the cathode is fully heated-- the plate voltage 

is gradually applied starting from 10V to 120V (or other voltage 

depending on the microphone circuitry). During this time the 
output of the microphone is muted.

After about three minutes the tube is settled in its correct operat-

ing mode, the muting is disabled, and audio is present. Both the 
heater and the plate voltages are ultra stable and non-dependent 

on AC main changes or fluctuations. For AC rectification, the 

Power Stream uses only high frequency diodes to obtain the pur-

est DC possible. And most importantly, the plate voltage supply is 
of low impedance, which improves sonics and clarity.

Power Stream Pattern Select Switch

All the potentiometer switches on the Power Stream are discrete 

military type with enclosed contacts. The nine-position switch 
on the Cactus power supply allows you to determine the pickup 
pattern selection for your microphone capsule ranging from 
omnidirectional (fully-counter clockwise) to figure of eight (fully 
clockwise).

Power Stream AC Voltage

The Power Stream operates at either 110 or 240 AC voltage. Your 

power supply has been set for the proper voltage required in your 
country. If a voltage change is needed, remove the fuse holder 
located above the AC receptacle. Reinsert the specified fuse (AC 
110V 500mA or AC 220V 250mA) and select the correct voltage 
(110 or 220) using the voltage selector switch.

Champagne Tube Microphone Cable

All microphone cables are reactive, energy storing devices with 

independent voltage and current components. The subtlest as-
pects of recorded sound are dependent on the physical construc-
tion of these cables, as well as size, material, and wire placement. 

To realize the perfect blend of the best materials, the Champagne 

tube microphone cable was designed collaboratively by Blue and 

an engineer with over thirty years of experience in the audio 
cable industry.

This top-quality cable uses only finest available virgin proprietary 

materials, including two-conductor 22 awg with 60 strands of 40 
awg. The two-conductor pair is twisted to totally eliminate noise, 
and covered with the finest tinned copper braid for additional 
protection. To guarantee voltages and power, the Champagne cable 
incorporates five additional 24-gauge conductors. The result is a 
tube microphone cable that unveils every nuance captured by the 
Cactus, to tickle the taste buds as well as warm the coldest critic.

 

Technical Specifications:

Transducer Type  •  Vacuum Tube Condenser

Polar Patterns  •  Multipattern
Frequency Response  •  20Hz – 20KHz
Sensitivity  •  18.0mV/Pa at 1kHz (1 Pa = 9 4dB SPL)
Output Impedance  •  50

Ω

Rated Load Impedance  • Not less than 1 k

Ω

Maximum SPL  •  134 dB SPL (2.5k

Ω

, 0.5% THD)

S/N Ratio  •  84 dB–A (IEC 651)
Noise Level • 10 dB–A (IEC651)
Dynamic Range  •  124 dB (@ 2.5k

Ω

)

Power Requirement  •  Cactus Power Supply Unit 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Weight  •  800g
Dimensions  •  235mm x 50mm x 30mm

Recommended Optional Accessories:

• 

The Pop (universal windscreen)

• 

Quad Cable

• 

S2 Shock

Included Accessories:

• 

S2 Shock

• 

Flight case

• 

IEC cable

• 

Champagne Cable

• 

Powerstream

Summary of Contents for Cactus

Page 1: ...Cactus...

Page 2: ...igure of eight patterns this microphone delivers every nuance in the room with finely fo cused resolution and clear musical frequency response out to the extremes of the audible spectrum But this is a...

Page 3: ...ower source And when ever possible connect the mic preamp output directly to your recorder or A D converter bypassing the mixing board and any unnecessary components For mounting the microphone on a s...

Page 4: ...nd sources also shine in front of the Cactus The precision crafted Blue electronics add an extra measure of presence that enables the most delicate sounds to cut through a mix even when miked at a dis...

Page 5: ...nes places inside a grand piano either close to the hammers for a defined percussive sound or roughly in the Recording Applications Vocals Here s a little known secret vocalists love singing into uniq...

Page 6: ...n the center of the bore or place it too close The trumpet with its directional characteris tics high sound pressure level and limited frequency range will yield a clear cutting tone at distances rang...

Page 7: ...t than specified and begin to Percussion On tambourine shaker bells clave and orchestral percussion the Cactus offers astounding clarity and realism and can be positioned quite close to a percussive s...

Page 8: ...ge selector switch Champagne Tube Microphone Cable All microphone cables are reactive energy storing devices with independent voltage and current components The subtlest as pects of recorded sound are...

Page 9: ...d misused mishandled maladjusted or is serviced by any parties not authorized by Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics BLUE The warranty does not include transportation costs incurred because of the ne...

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