Beyerdynamic M160 vs. Coles 4038

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ted dawg
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Beyerdynamic M160 vs. Coles 4038

Post by ted dawg » Mon May 29, 2006 8:41 pm

I want to get a pair of Ribbon mics. I would like to use them as drum overheads. Any reason the 4038's would be any better than the M160's other than personal taste? Is there anything about the M160's being a double ribbon mic that wouldn't work very well?

Thanks for your any input.

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tiger vomitt
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Post by tiger vomitt » Mon May 29, 2006 8:48 pm

i think the 160's might even be a little more rugged actually

theyd both sound great. maybe the 160's would be a little better as OH's, i think of the 4038's more as amazing room mics but what the hell do i know

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Theron D
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Post by Theron D » Mon May 29, 2006 9:45 pm

I recently used the M160 and M130 in an overhead M/S configuration and it sounded great. The way it smoothed out the abrasive cymbols....I started using ribbons as OH's. Again my experience in minimal at best, but that's my two cents...

Theron D
Last edited by Theron D on Tue May 30, 2006 4:41 am, edited 1 time in total.

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johnny7
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Post by johnny7 » Mon May 29, 2006 11:10 pm

I think you would find the Coles to have a greatly extended bottom end.
I have been impressed how deep they go...
J

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Post by inverseroom » Tue May 30, 2006 5:00 am

It's hard to imagine anybody on this board saying anything remotely negative about either of these mics...they're like everyone's favorites in the whole world.

I only have the M160 but use it for everything, it's wonderful. CHeaper than the Coles anyway!

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Post by djimbe » Tue May 30, 2006 6:33 am

The Beyers are directional (hypercardioid), and the Coles are fig 8. I like the Coles as OH, but if you're recording a whole band in a room, you'll get more bleed (and/or crappy room noise if your room isn't the best) in the Coles which may be a deal breaker. I've used the 160 a few times, and think it has a bit more detail in the top, though as johnny7 says, the Coles can get some bumpin' bottom end. Considering price and the single use of "ribbon on OH", I'm inclined to say get the Beyers...
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Post by Mix413 » Tue May 30, 2006 6:56 am

Very interesting thread. Both are superb mics. We have only one of each so I have no experience with pairs. The Coles is a bit softer on the top. Might depend on the room. In a high ceilinged great sounding room I'd try the Coles. In a low-ceilinged, not so great room the Beyers might be a better choice. Also a pair of Beyers would be less expensive thereby allocating more $ for something else and the 160 pair will come in handy on lots of other stuff - guitars, piano, percussion. One of the all-time great mics IMHO.
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ted dawg
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Post by ted dawg » Tue May 30, 2006 9:50 pm

Thanks to you all. If the Beyer were the M130 would you have the same opinion? It is a figure 8 version, like the Coles.

Thanks,

Ted.

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Post by ??????? » Wed May 31, 2006 7:24 am

i know only from a musician standpoint as i'm very inexperienced 'engineering,' but I know that I've never lost with an m130, m160, or 4038. All three of these are among my favorite mics on guitar amps, horns, and drum room mics. Never seen anyone use 'em as overheads. The 4038 is absolutely KILLING on flute though.

Regardless of which you choose I bet you'll be happy.

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Russian Recording
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Post by Russian Recording » Wed May 31, 2006 7:38 am

the 4038s are the balls for overheads. The are quite dark, but take a additive high shelving EQ very nicely. They are also the balls on gtr amps.

M160s and m130s are also nice. they are a little brighter and crunchier than the 4038. As mentioned previously, you can use them together for a great M/S pair.

Overall, I'd say the 4038s aremore lush/deluxe sounding, but probably not as versatile as the beyers.


best,
mike

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eeldip
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Post by eeldip » Wed May 31, 2006 9:34 am

and dont forget the poor little m260!

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Post by Recycled_Brains » Wed May 31, 2006 10:45 am

has anyone ordered an m160 through here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002S ... n=11091801

it's a pretty dramatic price difference. seems almost too good to be true. wondering if there's a catch.
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Russian Recording
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Post by Russian Recording » Wed May 31, 2006 10:51 am

nope, that looks about right. you can get them for about that from full compass. still, it's a very good price.

mtar

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Post by tonewoods » Wed May 31, 2006 11:10 am

"I like the Coles as OH, but if you're recording a whole band in a room, you'll get more bleed (and/or crappy room noise if your room isn't the best) in the Coles which may be a deal breaker."

I use a single 4038 as a drum OH in a 32' x 16' x 14' high room, and am constantly amazed as to how the mic rejects the amps in the room when positioned correctly.

I mean, I can set up a medium sized amp (3-10" Bandmaster, AC30, etc.) for guitar, an Ampeg B-15 for bass, and the Coles will reject those amps to the point that I can almost get away with doing OD's on either instrument.

It's uncanny how it does that considering the figure-8 pattern, but it does....
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Post by mr scratchy esq » Wed May 31, 2006 1:26 pm

It's uncanny how it does that considering the figure-8 pattern, but it does....
The Coles provides the great rejection because of the Fig. 8 pattern.

Bill

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