Presentation of the Master of the Ribbons
It is one of the ribbon microphones the world’s best known. Transportability and durability were high on the BBC’s list of requirements. The Coles 4038 proved to be a sublime vocal performer, forever associated with the sound of the distinguished broadcaster.
However, its future use in a recording studio context has transcended its utilitarian origins. This has solidified its reputation as a versatile microphone that has more than a few tricks up its sleeve.
Better known as the “waffle iron”, the Coles 4038 has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the most recognizable symbols of the studio microphone world.
The history of the Coles 4038
Long before the STC and Coles 4038, another stereo microphone had left its own indelible mark on BBC history.
The Marconi Type A was the sound of the broadcaster from the 1930s until the 4038 was created in 1952. It was also a ribbon microphone, although the ribbon was quite thick by modern standards. This proved detrimental to the performance of its first incarnation, the Type A.
Later Marconi models saw improvements in ribbon technology. Among others, a Ticonal magnet was added to the Marconi AXBT model to increase the sensitivity by 6dB.
Although the Marconi models were subject to evolution, the recording microphones themselves were prohibitively large and heavy. In fact, the Marconi shared similar aesthetics and square proportions with the large RCA 44-BX from across the Atlantic.
This was not necessarily a problem for radio, as the BBC was entering the television business at that time.
To do this, it needed a microphone:
- Thin
- Discrete
- Portable
- Suitable for TV production
And this is where our Coles 4038 makes its first appearance under the name STC 4038.
The STC 4038
Its striking design was not just to attract attention. In fact, the dynamic microphone was an assembly of an internal nickel-copper-iron alloy shield that protected the aluminum ribbon. It was also intended to counteract the resonances that were present in Marconi microphones.
A thicker or thinner cloth then protects it. Then the dynamic microphone is enclosed in its characteristic perforated brass shell. All of this contributes to a design that captures sound with a minimum of internal reflections.
The beginnings in the Studio
Shortly after his introduction to the BBC, the professional microphone became popular in recording studios throughout England.
In the 1960s, British pop music dominated the world. At that time, the competition for bands that topped the charts was fierce.
This situation has favored the progress of multi-track recording technology and innovative production techniques.
To meet the demand, engineers needed a reliable, yet high-class studio recording microphone to turn to. In fact, one of the first to use the 4038 was Glyn Johns.
This mythical sound engineer used a specific technique for recording drums (known as the Glyn Johns Method). And this method involves only three high-frequency microphones:
- One in front of the bass drum
- Another one above the drummer’s head (facing the snare drum)
- Another one facing the snare drum as well, but to the right, beyond the tom on the floor.
This recording device has played an important part in the formation of the drum sound. And especially the sound of modern rock. The 4038 was one of Glyn Johns’ weapons of choice.
He was undoubtedly won over by the building quality of the condenser microphone. Not to mention the fact that one of his main guinea pigs was John Bonham. The legendary drummer of Led Zeppelin and one of the best in history.
In 1974, Coles bought the rights to the STC 4038. He then distributed it under his own name, the Coles 4038.
An exceptional ribbon microphone
The frequency response of the Coles 4038 is relatively flat from 30 to 15,000 Hz. The ribbon maintains a uniform figure-of-eight polar response in the horizontal and vertical planes.
This type of response is very often found in ribbon microphones, such as the Beyerdynamic M160.
The Coles 4038 is not an exception.
The sound is not distorted to attract attention to the higher parts of the spectrum. As would a condenser microphone. It also doesn’t have the low frequency roll-offs that some dynamic models do.
And by the way, its thickness over a large part of the spectrum was the perfect complement for a drum recording.
Puis, le Coles 4038 est devenu l’un des premiers choix pour les overheads de batterie stéréo. Au-delà des techniques dissidentes de Glyn Johns.
It doesn’t accentuate the sizzle of cymbals and Charleston. This means that it gives the sound engineer more choice in positioning.
The Coles 4038s manufactured today are reminiscent of those manufactured in 1974. Despite advances, the 4038 uses the same magnet originally specified by the BBC in the 1950s. This is despite the fact that magnet technology has evolved since then.
The output connector is a Western Electric 4069; the microphone for singing can be ordered with a 4069-to-XLR adapter.
The ribbon material is one of the thinnest of all commercially available ribbon microphones, at 0.6 microns. In fact, its length is 1 inch, its width 0.23 inch (5.8 mm). It is tuned to approximately 45 Hz.
Technical characteristics of the Coles 4038
The Coles 4038 has joined the ranks of legendary ribbon mics thanks in part to its outstanding features. In summary, you can remember:
- Directivity: bidirectional / Figure 8;
- Frequency response: 30 Hz – 15 kHz ;
- Sensitivity: -65 dB (W.R.T.IV / Pa) ;
- Maximum sound pressure : 125 dB ;
- Output impedance: 300 Ohm ;
- Dimensions: 197 x 83 x 61 mm ;
- Weight: 1,08 kg.
The essential accessories of a Studio Ribbon Microphone
The Coles 4038 is in itself a stereo microphone that is able to provide you with everything you will need for sound and voice recording. However, the device also requires certain accessories to maximize its efficiency. These include an XLR adapter, which is often offered separately.
In this case, you have the Coles 4071B microphone stand, a 15cm model that is both flexible and sturdy and also suitable for the Coles 4069 microphone. You also have the Coles 4072 anti-vibration microphone stand for the suspended version. Both from the same brand are used as a cable and XLR connector for the Coles 4038.
My opinion on the Coles 4038
The Coles 4038 is, in my opinion, a studio microphone that can be described as legendary. In view of the quality of its sound, which never leaves any music lover indifferent, it lives up to its name as the master of ribbons. And it is the only one that makes the reputation of the English brand.
It is among the ribbons, as the Neumann U87 Ai among the statics, a legend!
With a relatively smooth and natural frequency response, the sound quality is indeed there. The harshest sounds soften as soon as they are picked up by Coles’ professional ribbon microphone. The proximity effect is not overdone for a voice pickup.
The microphone with its figure-8 directivity also picks up all sounds and reproduces them clearly. At the same time, it is able to suppress all ambient sounds and other disturbances, so that only the most important sounds are retained.
It magnifies everything you record: vocals, acoustic guitars, guitar amps, drums, percussion, pianos, saxophones, and more. Picking up sounds perfectly is its job, even in the home studio!
It’s a very versatile ribbon microphone, although it is mainly used in the recording studio for capturing voice. This is still the case in the BBC studios where it was first used over half a century ago.
Its high sensitivity also requires an acoustically treated space when recording. As a high-end microphone, it requires an environment that matches its performance. Not to mention a suitable preamp or sound card.
The Coles 4038 seduces as soon as you look at its sober and modest design. A somewhat heavy microphone, weighing in at over a kilo, but very sensitive and accurate, with a thick and sweet sound (the perfect vocal microphone coupled with a pop filter).
But behind all the simplicity of his style lies a real wonder, a real pearl that one quickly wants to adopt. That’s what recording studio professionals have been asking for for decades!
Our Global Review
Global Sound Quality
Quality / Price ratio
Overall Score
Our opinion on the Coles 4038:
The Coles 4038 is the ribbon microphone that every recording engineer should have in his or her arsenal. It has become a standard for recording vocals, brass and guitars. It is a must-have in your microphone collection!
Coles 4038 Demo
Special offer from Coles 🔥
