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SKU
340
Coles 4038 Studio Ribbon Microphone
Renowned BBC-developed studio and broadcast ribbon microphone featuring low mass damped ribbon to control transient response, substantially flat frequency response, and exceptionally low distortion and hum pick-up - includes shock mount mic-to-stand adapter
Product Description
The Coles 4038 Studio Ribbon Microphone is a British Broadcasting (BBC) design for broadcasting and recording applications. It is used where a clear smooth wide range frequency response, absence of transient distortion and relatively high sensitivity is essential. The 4038 is a proven performer, and is in use around the world by broadcasting networks such as the BBC as well as top engineers and studios on hit recordings.
Frequency response of the 4038 is exceptionally flat from 30 Hz to 15 kHz 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 sonic quality with smooth frequency response.
Each microphone comes in a foam lined rigid plastic carrying case with 4071B three-pin signal to XLR adapter, and a soft cloth protective bag for safe keeping. Also included is the rigid microphone stand adapter for mounting on standard 5/8" mic stands.
FEATURES:
- Low mass damped ribbon to control transient response
- Substantially flat frequency response from 30 to 15,000 c/s
- Magnetic Fields: By use of hum neutralizing 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
- 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
- All microphones factory tested in free field conditions
- Black stove enamel textured pain
- Heavy gauge perforated brass backed by finely woven Monel mesh
Product Specifications
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Package Contents | 4038 ribbon microphone, 4071B shock mount mic-to-stand adapter, soft cloth protective bag, foam-lined rigid plastic carrying case, and rigid 5/8" mic stand mount |
| Length | 7.25 in |
| Diameter | 3.25 in |
| Unit Weight | 2 lb |
| Tube or Solid State | Solid State |
| Transducer Type | Ribbon |
| Polar Pattern | Bi-Directional / Figure-Eight |
| Number of Microphones | Single Microphone |
| Phantom Required | No |
| Impedance | 300 Ohms |
| Frequency Range | 30 Hz - 15 kHz |
| Sensitivity | -65 dBV/Pa (0.6 mV) |
| Max. SPL | 125 dB |
Product Reviews
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She’s a classic, and for good reason. For a task at hand I set up a side-by-side test with another highly regarded ribbon that has an even larger price tag. I found the Coles warmer and quieter, and since I use a Cloudlifter on all of my ribbon mics I had no issue with output level. The only negative was really my fault. Eager to compare my two best ribbons I recorded a glockenspiel with both ribbons side by side. Both ribbons had such amazing transient response that the glockenspiel just came out too “ping-y”. No amount of compression could tame the ping on tracks recorded with either ribbon, and I reverted to a nice tube condenser, saving my ribbon comparison for another instrument. Anyway, despite having some wonderful other ribbons, the Coles has a velvety warmth I love.
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There’s a reason why this mic is legendary. Only fault with mine is I didn’t buy two, bank account wouldn’t allow it yet.
Beautiful on vocals, drums, and so many things. Love it and I’ll keep it forever -
Coles is coles! It’s really nice to have a clean take, natural sound, I have more than 20 years recording and playing different kind of music and I know that the capture of the sound is always a mistery, After of years and years searching I am using that in me personal studio for Trombone recordings and the sound is amazing! 5 stars.
PD : Obviously the preamp is the key! I am very happy with mi AEA (trp2). -
Such an amazing microphone. (PERIOD!)
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Top rate, warm sounding, can you record anything with this mic. I'm a sax player and this mic brings out an original sounds that I can only get from this mic. 5* for sure.
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Classic mic. Sounds incredible
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Wellll, I was prepared to be blown away by this mic, and I do really like it, but I don’t love it. I’ve used it as a room mic, overhead, acoustic and electric guitar. It does have a nice rich natural sound, but it hasn’t lived up to its price tag...and all the hype. I also use a Cascade Fat Head II and I’d be hard pressed to say which one I like better. Seriously
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The Coles 4038 is my dream microphone for saxophones. I first chose it after doing extensive A/B blind tests at Sear Sound in NYC with engineer Jon Rosenberg. I kept preferring it for saxophones without having tried it before. I've used it ever since, in a variety of studios for soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones (with minimal if any position changes -- it picks up the whole instrument evenly very well in each case). Now I get to use it for home recording. Vintage King staff were helpful and communicative while I waited for the manufacturer to catch up with orders during the pandemic.
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EXCELLENT
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Bill was fantastic and a great help in getting the Coles to me in record time. Loving the mic!
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Why are you reading the reviews? Just buy them! If you are here then you already know, and if you already know, then there should be no hesitation. Just do it! There will be no regrets.
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My favorite microphone! Warm sound in the mid lows and beautiful color.
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trying to get that perfect mono drum overhead sound, kind a like the al green vibe - starting out with a natuarl sounding slingerland kit tuned real nice, low fat snare, wallet sittin on the head to kill the ring. Put my 4038 right over the drummers head pointing at the snare, as close as I can get without him nailing it with a stick. Sounds rich, full and super lifelike. Im cutting some lo mids and adding a bit of 12k with a 550a running thru a 512c pre. Punchy, big, natural. Blend in some kick, snare and hat to get the perfect balance. Damn nice!
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Super dark, vibey, textural, and fat sounding mic. You can't get that sound any other way! Looks and feels like a heavy duty skillet and you just can't argue that these sound anything less than completely badass on rock records. Drum overheads, guitar cabs, drum room mics are typically where they end up. The only downside is that the mount is a little bit clumsy to navigate, but that's a small price to pay for the sound of this classic mic.
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Product Documents
Related Blog Posts
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The Hearty Sound Of The Coles 4038
05.12.2014Read MoreDesigned and built by the BBC in the early 1950s, the Coles 4038 is one of the most popular ribbon microphone of all time. With its unique hoof-like shape and an appearance similar to waffle iron, this microphone has a sound that is extremely hard to match. Continue reading → -
Recreating The Drum Sounds of “When the Levee Breaks”
01.12.2018Read More
If you’ve ever been in a conversation about iconic drum sounds, surely at some point you found yourself on the topic of John Bonham and Led Zeppelin. For decades, Bonham has been acclaimed as one of the best drummers in rock music and musicians all over the globe have been trying to recreate the feel and tone of his performances. This drum tone was the result of a combination of several key elements; amazing playing, beautiful drums, a great live room and some studio magic.
I’m sure you’ve all heard stories of how Zeppelin recorded. They would go hide out for months at a time at the Headley Grange mansion in England. In the late 1960s and early 70s, Headley Grange hosted a handful of artists including Bad Company, Genesis, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Frampton and many more. The mansion was a way for bands to get away from the everyday hassles of the real world and really “live” the music while recording an album. The mansion also consisted of countless rooms, cavernous hallways and echoing acoustics, making it ideal to shape any type of tone from up close and personal to larger than life. Continue reading → -
Fresh Listen: Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone
08.23.2018Read More
If you've spent any amount of time in a recording studio, whether as a player, engineer or producer, there's no doubt you've seen the signature waffle iron/cloven hoof shape of the Coles 4038. Whether its a pair hanging over drums, a single mic placed in front of a guitar cab or brass instrument, the Coles 4038 has become a studio staple since it first debuted in 1952.
The history of the Coles 4038 goes back even further to 1934 when the BBC-Marconi Type A became the first pressure-gradient ribbon microphone produced in Great Britain. From the Type A came a plethora of different microphones, but the bulky size of some of the resulting gear proved to be not so subtle when the BBC started producing television content. This directly led to the creation of a smaller microphone, the 4038. Continue reading → -
First Listen: Antelope Audio Edge Modeling Microphones
12.14.2018Read More
Antelope Audio has expanded their Edge series with the release of the new Edge Solo, Edge Duo and Edge Quadro. All of these microphones come replete with incredible vintage microphone emulations that will allow you access to classic sounds in the studio, in addition to just being great mics on their own.
Last week I was able to spend a day in the studio with the new Edge series microphones, and after testing each microphone on a variety of sources, I was blown away. There are so many options available right out of the box and the variety of tones I was able to get from a single microphone without leaving the control room was extremely satisfying Continue reading →
Designed and built by the BBC in the early 1950s, the 
If you’ve ever been in a conversation about iconic drum sounds, surely at some point you found yourself on the topic of John Bonham and Led Zeppelin. For decades, Bonham has been acclaimed as one of the best drummers in rock music and musicians all over the globe have been trying to recreate the feel and tone of his performances. This drum tone was the result of a combination of several key elements; amazing playing, beautiful drums, a great live room and some studio magic.
I’m sure you’ve all heard stories of how Zeppelin recorded. They would go hide out for months at a time at the Headley Grange mansion in England. In the late 1960s and early 70s, Headley Grange hosted a handful of artists including Bad Company, Genesis, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Frampton and many more. The mansion was a way for bands to get away from the everyday hassles of the real world and really “live” the music while recording an album. The mansion also consisted of countless rooms, cavernous hallways and echoing acoustics, making it ideal to shape any type of tone from up close and personal to larger than life. 
If you've spent any amount of time in a recording studio, whether as a player, engineer or producer, there's no doubt you've seen the signature waffle iron/cloven hoof shape of the 
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