A few years back, I assisted on an album for an engineer who used some type of ribbon mic on the trumpet. It sounded fantastic, but I cant recall what it was. It looked kind of like a hockey puck, but bigger and flatter. I dont think it was a Coles, but I dont know. Any ideas?

Coles 4038.. great mic. but a trumpet needs to be a looong way away from a ribbon mic or it will rip the ribbon itself...They still make these mics, I got one through washington professional systems. Also, the Royer 121 etc are great ribbon mics.

sorry I thought you said it WAS a coles... I think it was the coles though since you said it was hockey puck like. The only other ribbon mics are the big RCA 77's etc, which you would have known if you saw them.

OK maybe it was a Coles 4038....But it was up pretty close, maybe a foot or less away from the bell of the trumpet. Anyway, would you use that mic on a trumpet. If not what do you recomend?

I always use a coles 4038 for trumpet. about a foot away. I also use it on super loud ultra gain gtr amps. no problem so far. I've gone about 4 years without having to re-ribbon.

We had a really great sound on a session with a trumpet player and we used what he recommended, the TLM 170R Neumann...really nice one. wow, that you guys put the coles a foot away from a trumpet!

There is a common misconception about Ribbon mics, they're able to take the Hi SPL's that alot of people are worried about, what they can't take is a gust of air. While a screaming trumpet 6" to 12" away is fine, just moving the mic across the room can pop the ribbon. also watch out just closing the case that the mic is in, that too can break the ribbon.

FWIW, Most trumpet players prefer a 4038 to any other mic, and they do sound damn good, on low brass and upright bass too. I also recommend the Royers - they are brilliant, useful mics and can sometimes be more versatile for general use. With either mic, horn players can get within a foot of it, but if they're screeching, I would pull them back a bit...

Another "yuh-huh" for the Coles 4038 on horns.. Makes a great horn sound... I also like the semi-obscure Fostex M88RP printed ribbon mic in this application, and Sony C37A or C800 condensers. -dave

Has anyone used an RCA BK-5 with success? I could borrow one for an upcomong trumpet session....Thank. Craig