Advices on Ribbon mics (Coles 4038 4040 AEA R84)

[Trakworx]

In the price range of the mics you listed - definitely the Cloud JRS-34 or JRS-34-P. Cloud Microphones | Elevate Your Sound. All of the mics you listed will work very well on drums and piano, but you mentioned male vocals. I just did a shootout on male vocals and the Cloud mic is in another league. If you want to spend more, then get an AEA R44CE. thumbsup

Best Ribbon Mic for Vocals Currently Made Under $2500?

Enjoy!

.

[groucho]

Thanks !

One more pretender !

The choice is harder and harder...

[rene-lemieux]

Originally Posted by Trakworx

In the price range of the mics you listed - definitely the Cloud JRS-34 or JRS-34-P. Cloud Microphones | Elevate Your Sound. All of the mics you listed will work very well on drums and piano, but you mentioned male vocals. I just did a shootout on male vocals and the Cloud mic is in another league. If you want to spend more, then get an AEA R44CE. thumbsup

Best Ribbon Mic for Vocals Currently Made Under $2500?

Enjoy!

.

I own a pair of JRS 34s with a cloud lifter... they are amazing mics, on vocals, and drums as well, they grab transients like no other ribbon out there... Although very ribbony, (will not sound a hint like your U87) they sound really really great...

[warhead]

We recently shot out the Cloud JRS34 and an RCA 44 and RCA BK11 on drums, ac gtr, el gtr and male vocals. The files are now in the Clipalator gear test page on my site. The JRS34 is scary close to that 44, and really better.

I salute that mic, crazy nice on everything really.

War

[rene-lemieux]

Originally Posted by warhead

We recently shot out the Cloud JRS34 and an RCA 44 and RCA BK11 on drums, ac gtr, el gtr and male vocals. The files are now in the Clipalator gear test page on my site. The JRS34 is scary close to that 44, and really better.

I salute that mic, crazy nice on everything really.

War

I was going to buy a real 44 off the guys at proaudioheaven, but they talked me into the JRS's, ive never had a 44, or used one... im floored, you really think their better than the 44s? why is that, im just curious.

[warhead]

Aside from not needing a mega heavy duty mic stand since the JRS weighs maybe a pound (44's are sooo heavy) the JRS has a little more detail and air about it. The tone though was incredibly spot on.

War

[groucho]

Thanks for all those answers !

Cloud mics seem perfect for my use...
Actually of all the samples I have listened to, the one I prefered was AEA R44 but I do not have the money for that.
If the Cloud is as close as you say, it's a real bargain !

(Warren, I have not listened to the sample on your website but I'm going to do it... right now if the damn firewall at the office let me !)

[Geese]

I've owned a pair of Coles 4038's for many years. I've bought Royer, AEA, and demo-ed quite a few other ribbons. In a vacuum some other mics sound "sweeter" and more "hifi" than the Coles when standing alone. This is a very bad way to choose a mic IMO. BUT, in a mix the Coles have firm, sonic muscle and undeniable mid presence the others cannot come close to IMO. I've never kept another ribbon mic I've owned more than a few months. I just have not found a situation in a mix where the Coles didn't just work better than the others. This of course is based on what I like to hear from a mic....

Also, looking over your gear list, the "vintage warmth" over "digital clean" vibe from a mic that you like to hear, and vocal probs you are addressing, I would suggest you consider a 441. Just can't go wrong with one in your mic locker. If your U87 is a newer model you won't be the first to have these complaints about this mic and the 414 uls as well. Both can be "harsh" sounding mics if one is looking to get an "older" vibe in their digital recordings. The Coles and 441 (instead of your condensers) would give you a much better chance IMO.

[groucho]

Thanks geese for your advices.
Actually my U87 is an old one (1975). I really like that mic but It's with my voice that I find the match to be far from prefect. (I have a kind weird "noise" in the throat and sibilance problems that are emphased by the U87).
The 414 just don't work with my voice even with loads of EQ it doesn't have any vibe. (But it is just PERFECT on guitar amp with a 1176 and the chandler tg2 !)

I'm going to check the 441 too Thanks !

[groucho]

Hey warren, just quickly listened to the male vocal sample of the cloud vs RCA 77 and I'm very impressed... You were right it is THAT close !

I can't wait to listen to the other samples !

[groucho]

Just listened to all of the samples and I'm really impressed by the cloud mic. It is very close to the 77 !
It's so much natural than U87 and other condenser.
I really like the coles 4030 too. Drums are great (not so natural but with something very special) but vocals are not that good.

I think the cloud would better fit my needs than the other mics.

I wish I could compare the coles 4040 and the cloud.They both have an extended high end that could fit in lots of situations.

Gearslutz is terrible : you ask for a mic one day later you want 2 (or 3) ;-)

[roger]

man - don't worry too much about top-end.......you can wind in the sweetest top-end on a 4038...same for most ribbons really.....i don't go for all these newer-skool ribbons with 'extended top-end' out of the box......i'd rather they have that lovely smooth/round top-end and then you can wind it in if you want it on vocals etc....such a luxurious top on the 4038...and this midrange sort of glow.....it's hard to describe but the moment you record something through it for the first time you think 'oh THAT'S the sound i have been hearing on all these great records for all these years'....great mics....i also love my R84 but it's a little more 'flabby' in the lowend but they do read a room amazingly well - they do give you everything you want (just sometimes a little too much bottom but you can always just filter out the flab)....i know this doesn't really help - you sounded like you were getting close to making a decision too haha!

[groucho]

Actually I was digging my bank account to see if there were some hidden money for a cloud jrs34 AND a coles 4038 !

Unfortunately there isn't...

It's tough : the drums are great with the coles and the vocals are great with the Cloud

[frans]

Coles 4038 & 4040 - classics for a GOOD reason. As long as you don't treat them too bad (wind, blasts, the lot) they are reliable for decades.

The microphones formerly known as Crowley & Tripp aren't too bad either.
KSM313 Dual-Voice Bändchenmikrofon


If I was you, I'd get the Coles 4040. But then again I already have a few Beyerdynamic ribbons ;-)

[DanRock101]

Originally Posted by frans

Coles 4038 & 4040 - classics for a GOOD reason. As long as you don't treat them too bad (wind, blasts, the lot) they are reliable for decades....

Another vote for the Coles mics....the 4038 is the Holy Grail! It surprises me everytime I use it! The TG2 preamp has enough gain for you so you should be fine. The mids will shock you on this. They'll seem to be TOO MUCH, but do a whole song with the 4038 (Drums mono, guitar, piano mono, vocals, yes vocals!....be VERY careful here, have a good pop filter and sing off axis)....you'll be shocked at how well it translates to so many mediums!

[Trakworx]

Originally Posted by groucho

Just listened to all of the samples and I'm really impressed by the cloud mic. It is very close to the 77 !
It's so much natural than U87 and other condenser.
I really like the coles 4030 too. Drums are great (not so natural but with something very special) but vocals are not that good.

I think the cloud would better fit my needs than the other mics.

I wish I could compare the coles 4040 and the cloud.They both have an extended high end that could fit in lots of situations.

Gearslutz is terrible : you ask for a mic one day later you want 2 (or 3) ;-)

I compared the 4040 and the Cloud side by side. I did not have a 4038 to compare, but it's said (by Coles) to be in the same family of mics with the 4040. The 4040 has a wonderful thick mid/low end, but the highs, if you boost with EQ, are not nearly as pleasing compared to the Cloud. You can hear it on vocals, and especially on acoustic guitar. The Cloud has an unbelievably smooth texture in the highs. More so than any the 8 high end ribbon mics I tested. It's not dark, just smoooooooth. You can boost 10dB at 10K and it still won't get sibilant or spitty. 'Not kidding. Get the Cloud. IME, It's the best mic in it's price range.

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[groucho]

Thanks a lot for your experiences. It helps a lot !

I really think that I will need to have both in the end...

From what I listened and various advices I've read here, 4038 are pretty unbeatable on drums and cloud really shines on quite everything.

I will have to save money for some months now !

[DanRock101]

Think of any great recording...the magic is in the MIDRANGE, or the CORRECT translation of the midrange. The Coles do mids right. Bottom line. Also, in the digital age, high end is the clincher especially when downsampled to MP3/MP4 (which every thing is these days). It's about midrange. Think about it!

Having said that I've never used a Cloud or AEA. I was a Royer nut until I discovered the Coles.

[groucho]

SO...

I just ordered one 4038.
In europe, it's really cheaper than the cloud. Anyway, I will end buying a cloud too one day !

Thanks to all of you for your great advices !

[roger]

man...you won't be disappointed....just give it a good chance - it's gonna be a little bit of a shock to your ears to go from 414s and 87s to the coles....you will have to sort of shift your frame of reference...don't just use it on drums tho man....record acoustics, strings, guitar amps (the balls!!!), percussion.....etc etc. ps - leave that velvet pouch over it whenever you aren't using it and DON'T slam the lid of the case!!! the 4038 is a heavy beast but that ribbon won't take a lot of abuse!

try lifting a gentle shelf at around 10k...it'll make you smile!

[groucho]

Thanks for your advices roger !

I can't wait to try it...
Actually I fear I'll need two of them ! (for drums and piano...)

[rene-lemieux]

Originally Posted by groucho

SO...

I just ordered one 4038.
In europe, it's really cheaper than the cloud. Anyway, I will end buying a cloud too one day !

Thanks to all of you for your great advices !

Dang! I was rooting for the Clouds (because I own them ) but the Coles have earned their reputation and it has served them yet again while in a tossup with another mic...

That said, I thin the Cloud JRS mic will one day be a modern classic... They only started selling mics not to long ago, but by the looks of things they are gaining some very positive momentum. The guys at cloud are great, I was about to buy a pair of varacoustics, but after many long and informative emails with one of their guys, I settled for a pair of the passive JRS mics, along with a "cloudlifter" passive mic booster. Great guys, great mics, I boost there rep every chance I get on GS.

[groucho]

Don't worry, the cloud is on the wishlist !
(But you're right, the mic is gorgeous but the logo kills the look !)

[baskervils]

Originally Posted by groucho

SO...

I just ordered one 4038.
In europe, it's really cheaper than the cloud. Anyway, I will end buying a cloud too one day !

Thanks to all of you for your great advices !

The Coles 4038 one of my favorite pieces of gear. Good choice.

Be careful when putting the mic on the stand and taking it off. I recommend holding it over your lap. The mic hardware on a Coles 4038 is really clunky, and it's very easy to drop. Break the ribbon, and you have a $300 repair.