description Coles 4038 Overview
The Coles 4038 is a ribbon microphone originally designed in the 1950s for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and manufactured in the United Kingdom by Coles Electroacoustics, formerly part of Standard Telephones and Cables (STC). It uses a corrugated aluminum ribbon element and is known for its smooth, flat frequency response and figure-8 polar pattern. The microphone has been widely adopted in professional recording studios for capturing brass instruments, strings, and electric guitar amplifiers, and is frequently used in pairs for stereo recording. It remains in production and is recognized as a studio standard.
help Coles 4038 FAQ
What type of microphone is the Coles 4038?
The Coles 4038 is a bidirectional ribbon microphone originally designed in the 1950s for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). It uses a corrugated aluminum ribbon element to capture sound, giving it a remarkably warm and vintage audio profile.
What are Coles 4038 microphones most commonly used for in modern recording studios?
They are highly prized as drum overheads, particularly for capturing the natural sound of a stereo drum kit. They are also famously used as "Room mics" for brass bands and string sections due to their smooth high-end roll-off.
Who originally manufactured the Coles 4038 microphone?
The microphone was originally manufactured by Standard Telephones and Cables (STC) before production was taken over by Coles Electroacoustics. It has remained largely unchanged since its inception in the mid-20th century.
Why do Coles 4038 microphones have a figure-8 polar pattern?
Because the aluminum ribbon element is open to sound waves from both the front and the back, it naturally picks up sound in a figure-8 pattern. This makes them excellent for capturing two sound sources simultaneously while rejecting sound from the sides.
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