Coles Microphones 4038 Review
Studio Ribbon Microphone
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 6 of 6 Reviews
What's the sound of a smile?
Coles Microphones 4038 Studio Ribbon Microphone (Single Microphone)
Reviewed by Howardellison on B&H Photo Video
Biased Brit I may be, but I came to love this fine mike at the BBC where it was designed in 1953. I'm now a voice actor, and use an NT1A capacitor to punch through music and effects, but turn happily to my Coles for narration and anything else that needs smooth, warm, natural repro 'with a smile'. Because I know producers are used to capacitor sheen, I use a touch of high-top EQ with the Coles although it is flat to 15k. It does come with a very odd fifties plug-base, so you are wise to buy the adaptor that fixes it to a modern stand, but I managed to wedge mine into a standard cradle. A surprise was the ribbon's ability to minimise external traffic rumble. Musician friend highly impressed by rendition of his saxophone. ... More
Microphone Royalty.
Coles Microphones 4038 Studio Ribbon Microphone (Single Microphone)
Reviewed by concerned citizen on B&H Photo Video
What can I say. I've worked in radio and voiceovers for a number of years, and I've made my rounds through the U-87 type mics -- the cadillac of recording mics, you could say -- but the 4038 was, to continue the metaphor, the Bentley. I bought it to record some voices for an album that I'm designing to sound as if it were produced in 1960, so this was the obvious mic choice. And it exceeded my expectations. Two separate recording producers were, after a day of recording with this mic, actually annoyed by the sound of their own mics. This is not a bright sounding mic, so it will not deliver a pop music sound, if that's what you're after. However, I will say that it changed my life. ... More
now I know why folk love these
Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone Stereo Pair
Reviewed by Aaron M. on Reverb
So I really was conflicted with buying these because I have some really good mics already, but I really wanted to try these quite famous ribbons... But I gotta say my concerns melted away the first time I used them! Paired with AML ez1073 Pre's, I have, finally, to my ear the best stereo acoustic guitar sound I've ever been able to get. I've used u87ai (like that too can't talk bad about it) and a pair of Beyer mc930's (they are great too don't get me wrong)... It's so warm and so present but not hyped, and so smooth and NOT harsh... On top of my acoustic track, I layered a Nashville tuned ol' beater 3/4 scale guitar that sounds 1/2 decent but brittle and harsh w/ high freq stuff-- but these are perf for it... Smooth and musical and glues it right onto the main acoustic as if its one 12-string.... Haven't got to record drums yet, but can't wait. ... More
coles 4038 mics
Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone Stereo Pair
Reviewed by Keith B. on Reverb
Great, fat, warm sounding mics.. been using on an upright piano and voice, a valuable addition to my mic collection.. imagine could be used on most things!
Coles 4038 Matched pair
Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone Stereo Pair
Reviewed by Brad M. on Reverb
The mics sound great on guitars and as room mics for drums. Pay attention when you purchase them though, as they do need special mic clips to use.
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Awesome, as expected.
Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone Stereo Pair
Reviewed by Tristan P. on Reverb
What can I say, there's a reason these mics are still being manufactured and used after all these years. Sound lovely and warm.
