Coles 4038 Ribbon Mic
Requires Stand Adaptor, sold separately
These ‘soap dish’ ribbon mics have been hand made to the same delicious recipe for over forty years. After all, if it ain’t broke…
Responsible for the lush strings on just about every orchestral recording in recent years, the 4038’s give that full, rich sound on strings, brass, drum overheads and ambience that your ears crave. There really is no better way to warm your recordings (and your soul) than to sling a pair of 4038’s above your session and blend the sound with whatever close mics you choose.
We ALWAYS quote including the optional stand mount adaptors for the simple reason that they’re a bit tricky to use if you cant mount them. And be aware that the ribbons are HEAVY. For overheads we definitely recommend the Atlas stands.
Figure of 8, of course (as are all conventional ribbons) you’re not going to get a great deal of separation, but a pair can offer a stunning stereo image.
What the manufacturer says…
The 4038 Studio Ribbon Microphone is of British Broadcasting design (BBC) and used for broadcasting and recording such sounds where a clear smooth wide range frequency response, absent of transient distortion and relatively high sensitivity is essential. The 4038 has a proven reliable performance capability, being since its introduction, used by broadcasting networks throughout the world such as the BBC.
The frequency response of the 4038 is exceptionally flat from 30 to 15,000 c/s and throughout this range the shape of the bi-directional (figure of eight) polar response is maintained substantially constant both in the horizontal and vertical planes, giving a natural smooth sonic quality textured response to sound signal being picked up. Studio microphones have now achieved a remarkable fidelity of reproduction. If the microphone is not close to perfection, there is no point in having expensive systems to take the sound the rest of the way to the audience’s ears.
In the world of sound, the BBC has always been the leader, and is still regarded as the ‘setter of standards’.</p
Specifications
Features
- Substantially flat frequency response from 30 to 15,000 c/s
- Extremely low (non-linear) distortion
- Exceptionally low hum pick-up
- Bi-directional (figure of eight) polar curve shape accurately maintained in both horizontal and vertical planes
- Excellent transient response
- Natural clear balanced response to sound signal
- Body shape to enhance acoustic performance
- Clear natural high fidelity sound reproduction
- Smooth sonic textured response
4038 High Fidelity
- Pressure gradient transducer ribbon microphone
Ribbon
- Low mass damped ribbon to control transient response
Polar Response
- Bi-directional
Magnetic Fields
- By use of hum neutralising wiring and magnetic shielding of the toroidal ribbon to line transformer 30 to 40 dB reduction is achieved in response to stray disturbing magnetic fields
Frequency Response
- 30 Hz to 15,000 Hz
- All microphones factory tested in free field conditions
Impedance
- 300 ohm
Sensitivity
- -65 dB W.R.T. IV/Pa
Distortion
- Less than 1% at 125 dB SPL
Connection
- By means of 4069 3 pin jack plug. Pin 1 positive – Pin 2 negative – Pin 3 screen
Body Housing
- Made of heavy gauge perforated brass backed by finely woven monel mesh. Rotating hinge connection allows microphone to tilt through 90° and turned in any direction when either suspended or free standing
Dimensions
- 7¼” (197 mm) x 3¼” (83 mm) x (61 mm).
Weight
- 2 lb. 6 oz. (1.08 Kg).
Finish
- Black stove enamel textured paint
Packaging
- Each microphone comes in a foam lined rigid plastic carrying case with 4069 jack plug, and soft cloth protective bag, for safe keeping.
Optional Accessories
- 4071B Mic to stand adaptor with XLR
- 4069 to XLR
- 4072 Antivibration mic to stand adaptor
- Soft cloth protective bag
- Foam lined rigid plastic carrying case