The Fat Top II Active/Passive Ribbon Microphone from Pinnacle Microphones is a switchable active/passive ribbon mic that is equipped with switchable active and passive modes. In active mode the mic utilizes phantom-powered active electronics to provide stable impedance and higher output for compatibility with a wider variety of microphone preamplifiers. This mode employs a low-noise differential amplifier circuit designed for high gain while keeping the noise level low.
The circuit is optimized to preserve the tone of the active/passive ribbon mic by choosing operating conditions and electronic components that minimize tonal alterations. The passive mode in turn provides the option for use with higher-gain preamps, where extra gain is not needed from the microphone. For both studio and live-stage miking, the FAT Top II is designed for use on a wide range of instruments such as guitar cabs, vocals, strings, horns drum overheads, orchestras, and more.