In article ,
Keith G wrote:
Posted in the spirit of a *no fees will be paid*/*no invitation to to
tender for a consultancy contract exists or is being offered*,
amateur/hobbyist enquiry* only does anybody disagree the ribbon mic
beats the Oktava for the alto sax** in these 'near identical'
(simultaneously recorded and edited, but not level matched) clips?

The STC 4038 ribbon - probably *the* classic mic of all time - is
excellent on sax. Of course they have to be in good condition. And it's
much more expensive to make a good ribbon mike than a condenser.

--
*Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Keith G wrote:
Posted in the spirit of a *no fees will be paid*/*no invitation to to
tender for a consultancy contract exists or is being offered*,
amateur/hobbyist enquiry* only does anybody disagree the ribbon mic
beats the Oktava for the alto sax** in these 'near identical'
(simultaneously recorded and edited, but not level matched) clips?

The STC 4038 ribbon - probably *the* classic mic of all time - is
excellent on sax. Of course they have to be in good condition. And it's
much more expensive to make a good ribbon mike than a condenser.

The STC 4033 also was an interesting idea with both a moving
coil and a ribbon element. STC made a condenser too, the
4108.

The STC 4038 ribbon was indeed a fine mic, but is rarer
than hen's teeth these days. Also it was not one of the
two microphones which we were asked to compare.

In article ,
Iain Churches wrote:
The STC 4038 ribbon - probably *the* classic mic of all time - is
excellent on sax. Of course they have to be in good condition. And it's
much more expensive to make a good ribbon mike than a condenser.

The STC 4033 also was an interesting idea with both a moving
coil and a ribbon element.

Standard BBC TV studio boom mic for many a year - but not worth bothering
with now as they never sounded particularly good. Quality was traded for
robustness. And a mixture of elements with very different characteristics
to make a cardiod was really just a bodge - although interesting from the
historical point of view. But a 4038 still has its uses today.

STC made a condenser too, the
4108.

Not well regarded.

The STC 4038 ribbon was indeed a fine mic, but is rarer
than hen's teeth these days. Also it was not one of the
two microphones which we were asked to compare.

Dunno what happened to them all - the BBC had thousands. IIRC, TV Centre
Tech Op Stores had an inventory of some 300 when I worked there.
I *think* you can still buy them new - or certainly could a few years ago.
Made by Coles.

--
*A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,

The STC 4038 ribbon - probably *the* classic mic of all time - is
excellent on sax. Of course they have to be in good condition. And it's
much more expensive to make a good ribbon mike than a condenser.

Dunno what happened to them all - the BBC had thousands. IIRC, TV Centre
Tech Op Stores had an inventory of some 300 when I worked there.
I *think* you can still buy them new - or certainly could a few years ago.
Made by Coles.


Yes. still available, about UKP 700 each, or sold in boxed pairs.

http://www.coleselectroacoustics.com/micstudio.shtml

In article ,
Iain Churches wrote:

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article ,

The STC 4038 ribbon - probably *the* classic mic of all time - is
excellent on sax. Of course they have to be in good condition. And
it's much more expensive to make a good ribbon mike than a
condenser.

Dunno what happened to them all - the BBC had thousands. IIRC, TV
Centre Tech Op Stores had an inventory of some 300 when I worked
there. I *think* you can still buy them new - or certainly could a few
years ago. Made by Coles.


Yes. still available, about UKP 700 each, or sold in boxed pairs.

http://www.coleselectroacoustics.com/micstudio.shtml

As I said a good ribbon costs a great deal to make. ;-)

Remember years ago being involved in a live versus recorded demo at the
BBC. The speaker being used was a modified LSU 10 which started out having
a Parmeko 15" dual concentric but had been modified by BBC designs
department (and tested in their anechoic chamber) to take a Tannoy. Driven
by a Quad II valve amp.
We had a selection of instruments and a couple of jobbing musicians that
could make a fair fist of playing them. And an example of all the mics the
BBC used. Things like U77, C12, C414, C28, KM54, etc. As well as the
entire STC range.
The most natural combination that fooled everyone (blind test) - ie 50%
got it right - was an alto sax miked up with a 4038. On every other
combination of mic and instrument at least three quarters of the company
knew which was which.

--
*Preserve wildlife - Go pickle a squirrel*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.