Coles 4038
Encyclopedia
The Coles 4038 is a ribbon microphone
produced by Coles Electroacoustics. The microphone was designed and patented by the BBC in the 1950s and was originally known as the STC
4038. The sound of the microphone has been described as "British" with a "BBC politeness", and its appearance has been likened to that of a waffle iron
. It is used in both sound recording
and radio broadcasting.
). The 4038 was an improvement on the Type A's frequency response, and was described as "less obtrusive".
The microphone was produced by Standard Telephones and Cables
before their manufacturing was transferred to Coles in the mid 1970s. Since its design in the 1950s, the technical specifications of the 4038 have remained unchanged.
and on brass instrument
s. The microphone became a favourite of British recording engineers in the 1950s and 60s, but did not receive widespread use in the United States. The microphone was described as recording sounds "bigger than
life" – such as drums or amplified guitars – some Beatles and Led Zeppelin
recordings featured 4038s as overhead microphones on the drum kit.
In a 1994 interview, Steve Albini
said that "if [he] owned one mic, this would be it". Albini has also commented that "really nothing beats them as an overhead on a drum kit".
) used the 4038 almost exclusively.
is flat, with a range of approximately 30–15,000 Hz. The attenuation of high frequencies reduces sibilance on vocals, but also reduces detail.
The microphone uses a bi-directional polar pattern.
The microphone is connected using a Western Electric
jack connector designated 4069, which adapts the microphone's 3-pin output to a standard XLR connector
.
Ribbon microphone
A ribbon microphone is a type of dynamic microphone that uses a thin aluminum, duraluminum or nanofilm ribbon placed between the poles of a magnet to generate voltages by electromagnetic induction...
produced by Coles Electroacoustics. The microphone was designed and patented by the BBC in the 1950s and was originally known as the STC
Standard Telephones and Cables
Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd was a British telephone, telegraph, radio, telecommunications and related equipment R&D manufacturer. During its history STC invented and developed several groundbreaking new technologies including PCM and optical fibres.The company began life in London as...
4038. The sound of the microphone has been described as "British" with a "BBC politeness", and its appearance has been likened to that of a waffle iron
Waffle iron
A waffle iron is a cooking appliance used to make waffles.It usually consists of two hinged metal plates, molded to create the honeycomb pattern found on waffles...
. It is used in both sound recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
and radio broadcasting.
History
The microphone was designed by the BBC in 1953 and the prototype was assigned the model number BBC PGS/1. It was designed as a result of the BBC's request for a strong and affordable microphone that was smaller than previous models (such as the Type ABBC-Marconi Type A
The BBC-Marconi Type A was a ribbon microphone that was produced by the BBC and Marconi between 1934 and 1959. The microphone has been described as "iconic" and a symbol of the BBC, and has become an interface metaphor for sound recording.- History :...
). The 4038 was an improvement on the Type A's frequency response, and was described as "less obtrusive".
The microphone was produced by Standard Telephones and Cables
Standard Telephones and Cables
Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd was a British telephone, telegraph, radio, telecommunications and related equipment R&D manufacturer. During its history STC invented and developed several groundbreaking new technologies including PCM and optical fibres.The company began life in London as...
before their manufacturing was transferred to Coles in the mid 1970s. Since its design in the 1950s, the technical specifications of the 4038 have remained unchanged.
Recording
In recording environments, the 4038 is often used as drum overheadsOverhead microphone
Overhead microphones are those used in sound recording and live sound reproduction to pick up ambient sounds, transients and the overall blend of instruments...
and on brass instrument
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
s. The microphone became a favourite of British recording engineers in the 1950s and 60s, but did not receive widespread use in the United States. The microphone was described as recording sounds "bigger than
life" – such as drums or amplified guitars – some Beatles and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
recordings featured 4038s as overhead microphones on the drum kit.
In a 1994 interview, Steve Albini
Steve Albini
Steven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
said that "if [he] owned one mic, this would be it". Albini has also commented that "really nothing beats them as an overhead on a drum kit".
Broadcast
At one point, Bush House (home of the BBC World ServiceBBC World Service
The BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
) used the 4038 almost exclusively.
Technical
The 4038's frequency responseFrequency response
Frequency response is the quantitative measure of the output spectrum of a system or device in response to a stimulus, and is used to characterize the dynamics of the system. It is a measure of magnitude and phase of the output as a function of frequency, in comparison to the input...
is flat, with a range of approximately 30–15,000 Hz. The attenuation of high frequencies reduces sibilance on vocals, but also reduces detail.
The microphone uses a bi-directional polar pattern.
The microphone is connected using a Western Electric
Western Electric
Western Electric Company was an American electrical engineering company, the manufacturing arm of AT&T from 1881 to 1995. It was the scene of a number of technological innovations and also some seminal developments in industrial management...
jack connector designated 4069, which adapts the microphone's 3-pin output to a standard XLR connector
XLR connector
The XLR connector is a style of electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins...
.