Click here to login, The ability to reply to and create new discussions, Access to members-only giveaways & competitions, Interact with VIP industry experts in our guest Q&As, Access to members-only sub forum discussions, Get INSTANT ACCESS to the world's best private pro audio, Promote your eBay auctions and Reverb.com listings for free. Weighing-in at under two pounds and measuring eight inches tall and 2.7 inches in diameter, the R84 is a great sounding microphone that is extremely versatile. Our studio lacks ribbon mics. The AEA R84 is supplied in a complete system that includes a shock mount, 10-foot mic cable and sturdy foam-lined carrying case. Engineers in both the studio and on the scoring stage who use the R88 desired a mono version that was more discreet, lightweight and easier to position. What are the main instruments to record? Audix VX5. The N8 is the mono version of the AEA R88 stereo microphone with active electronics. If one was concerned about maintenance I don't believe one should get involved with ribbons to begin with. AEA R88A active ribbon microphone with custom toroid transformers. We use the 44B like this and don't have an issue so I'd imagine the R88 will be fine. I think I've decided on the R88, I want something versatile that will be good on a lot of different acoustic sources and also has the classic natural ribbon sound. The only thing I'm worried about is using the R88 with our 8068 which constantly has phantom power going through it. The R84 is a great mic and works well on many things (a pair of them, or better, an R88, on grand piano is amazing), but given an either/or choice, I'd pick the 4038. But definitely not close-mic'ed guitars:cop: I don't think the 4038 is particularly fragile. Unbelievable as a a drum o/h. We have an RCA 44B which is great but ever since I heard a Coles 4038 I've wanted one. I've used mine in front of everything. Sign in or Create an Account. Unbelievable as a a drum o/h. For me, it sounds unique and 3d. SKU: 4038 Categories: Microphones, Ribbon Microphones Brand: Coles Microphones $ 1,365.00. The 4038 is one of my favourite mics so I'm obviously biased. hit my head on a 4038 before and it turns out I was the fragile one. I angle mine down looking at my 70’s Ludwig kit from about 4 feet away and I’m gettig huge low end, warm smooth cymbals, and punchy snare/toms. Coles 4038 - matched pair. The R-84 is great on a lot of other sources...so I might favor that mic slightly. But the 4038 is a classic and sounds awesome as well. You need an account to post a reply. Show 100 post(s) from this thread on one page. The 4038 is certainly a heavier character sound, and has that bombastic low end response for things like drums etc. It feels like the figure 8 is a little tighter on the r84, though i could be horribly horribly wrong. The Royer 121 is a must-have for heavy guitar amps as well. The ribbon is very sensitive though, and 4038's get fixed a lot more than more modern designs. The way people talk about it you would think it’s almost boring. I have never preferred an R84 to a 4038 on any source. The N8 and R88 share the same minimalist design philosophy and honest sound. The 4038 is sensitive to gustings of air. Rode M3. ...but given an either/or choice, I'd pick the 4038. Cart 0. Geez, what a tough choice. I don't think the is particularly fragile. But specifically on drums the coles is just too solid to not use. You can't go wrong with either. I own a pair of Coles 4038, R84, and 121. Although I like Coles, I must admit that only 4040 forced me to use it very, very often. All good things require special attention from time to time. Beautiful sounding without damped high-end, this is exactly what I expected to get. Rode K2. After you add the R88, look to the active powered AEA mics such as the A840. I'm about to buy a very nice setup for high end drum recordings. Like I said you can't go wrong with either... Well, let us know what you think once you've compared them! Like me. Cart 0. Engineers in both the studio and on the scoring stage who use the R88 desired a mono version that was more discreet, lightweight and easier to position. Beautiful-sounding mics on many sources. The N8 and R88 share the same minimalist design philosophy and honest sound. AEA R84 Ribbon Microphone Features: The AEA R84 is supplied in a complete system that includes a shock mount, 10-foot mic cable and sturdy foam-lined carrying case. THe Coles 4040s are , in my opinion, heads and shoulders better than the 4038s.... in terms of being useful on multiple sources.. More often than not, I use the AEAs for overheads and the 4038s as rooms. Shure SM7b. Search. Not sure why someone would choose anything else honestly, boutique or otherwise. It utilizes two of AEA’s signature Big RibbonTM elements angled at 90 degrees and mounted in close proximity to each other along the vertical axis of the microphone. The N8 is the mono version of the AEA R88 stereo microphone with active electronics. Menu. I owned an AEA R88 for quite a while and found it useful on piano as well, but the SF12, IMO, has a much more realistic, pure sound whereas the AEA sounded artificially big. mezed. Search. AEA R84 Ribbon Microphone Features: R88 is also very good but not character-ful like the Coles. I doubt it is much more sensitive to wind/air than are most other ribbons. Home ... R88 Parts and Accessories AEA Preamp Accessories TRP2 Parts and Accessories Connectors and Adaptors Coles Mics and Accessories Synchronizers CB Electronics ... Coles 4038 Case. The reason to get it is that the active powering (via 48 volt phantom) obviates any impedance issues in the mic amp. Solomon LoFreq SubKick - Daru Jones. The reason to get it is that the active powering (via 48 volt phantom) obviates any impedance issues in the mic amp. Just a friendly reminder that political discussion, (including "offhand" and 'sideways' commenting) is. I have both and wouldn't want to part with either. I’m sure the 4038 takes it even further, but that r88 is no slouch in the character department. Only other mic I would consider trading for 4038s are RCA77 but I don't intend to do that anytime soon. I've used mine in front of everything. I would choose the AEA R92 in that regard. One mic recording / AEA R88 Ribbon "Hear the Sound" by San Geronimo ... R88 vs. SF-12 - Stereo Passive ... Ribbon Mic: Royer 121, Mesanovic 2, AEA R84, Coles 4038 - … Home ... R88 Parts and Accessories AEA Preamp Accessories TRP2 Parts and Accessories Connectors and Adaptors Coles Mics and Accessories Synchronizers CB Electronics ... Coles 4038 Case. Cart 0. The R88 is fantastic as a room mic or drum overhead, and for me it excels at 'realism'. I'm going to rent it first and try it out on my next big session. For piano, my go to mic is my Royer SF12. Obviously I'm leaning towards the Coles but need to hear them before.