PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

THE S.T. AND C. MICROPHONE TYPE ~038

Report No. L-032

( 1956/29)

THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION

ENGINEERING DIVISION
 RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

THE S.T. AND C. MICROPHONE TYPE ~038

Report No. ~-032

(1956/29)

,i

H. D. Harwood, B. Se.
R.J. Packer (T. Somerville)
This Report is the property ot the
British Broadcastinc Corporation and aay
not be reproduced or discloeed to a
third party in any torm without tbe
written permission ot the Corporation.
 Report No. 1-032

TffE S.T. AND C. MICROPIIONE TYPE 4038

Section Title Page

SUMMARY. 1

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 DESCRIPTION • • 1
2.1. Weight 3

3 PERFORMANCE , 4
3.1. Method of Measurement • ,- 4
3.2. Frequency Characteristics , 4
3.3. Impedance. 6
3.4. Sensitivity 6
3.5. Noise. 7
3.5.-1. General. 7
3.5.2. Interference from Magnetic Fields 8

4 LISTENING TESTS • 8

5 CONCLUSIONS • 9

6 REFERENCES 9
 Report No, L-032 PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
September 1956
( 1956/29)

THE S.T. AND C. MICROPHONE TY:PE 4'038

SUMMARY

The SoT. and C. microphone type 4038 is a pressure-gradient ribbon instrument

whose design is based on that of the B.B.C. types PGS/l and PGD. By modifying the
case and other components and omitting some of the features of the type PGS/l the cost
has been reduced without great sacrifice in performance. The frequency range is wide
and the response free from serious irregularities; the sensitivity is high and the
magnetic induction pickup extremely low.

1. INTRODUCTION.

The S,T. and C. microphone type 4038 is a pressure-gradient instrument.

It is a commercial version of the B,B,C. type PGS/l, although the outer case is
constructed on the same principle as that of the type PGD. As the working principles
and design details of the latter two microphones were described in Research Department
Reports M-015 and M-015/2 1 , only differences between the types 4038 and PGS/l will
therefore be discussed here. The cost of the type 4038 microphone to the B.B,C. is
approximately £29 compared with £46 for the type PGS/l.

2. DESCRIPTION.

Figo 1 shows the external appearance and dimensions of the instrument.

Although the standard model has a black crackle finish, microphones supplied to the
B,B.C. will be in eggshell Florentine.Bronze,

The outer case is made of 19 SWG perforated brass and, as in the type PGD,
is recessed in the vicinity of the ribbon in order to improve the response at high
frequencies, No separate high-frequency reflectors, such as those used in the
type PGS/l, are then needed and the manufacturing cost is correspondingly reduced.
The case is very strong, but the recessed portion gives the instrument an unusual
appearance.

The pole-pieces are of vanadium Permendur; as has been discussed elsewhere 1

the use of this material allows a slight relaxation in the magnet specification. As
the design is intended for large-scale production, the process of investment casting
has been employed, enabling these pole-pieces to be produced at a small fraction of
the cost of those made by normal methods.
2

3i(i3"
(S·I cm)

3"
Is
----3-(3·49 cm)

Fig. I
 3

The ribbon clamps, unlike those in the type PGS/1, are fixed to the pole-
pieces and do not form a removable sub-assembly. One end of the ribbon is earthed
through the magnet; although this method of electrical connection is commonly used
in commercial ribbon instruments, it has the disadvantage that part of the output will
be short-circuited if a metallic particle bridges the gap between a pole-tip and the
ribbon. The output is taken from the base of the microphone stem by the usual S.T.
and C. microphone-type jack and socket.

A nominal output impedance of either 30 or 300 ohms is available. The

standard black model is of 30 ohms impedance and is designated 4038.A; of the two
models with a bronze finish, one has an impedance of 30 ohms and is designated 4038.B,
whilst the other has an impedance of 300 ohms and is listed as 4038.C.

An anti-rumble mounting similar to that designed for the type PGS/1 is

provided for use with floor stands. At the top and bottom are an S.T. and C. jack
and socket respectively, which are connected by internal wiring. The mounting can
therefore be inserted between microphone and stand without the need for any additional
electrical connections.

2.1. Weight.

The weight of the microphone is 2 lb 6 oz (1'1 Kg).

The weight of the anti-rumble mounting is 110z (0'32 Kg).

80 .
':;
~
-82 'v
~
"- ...-.. ~o .
- ,-
/'1"" ~
c
,-
, '_. ,-,
/ ' 1'-0.. .....
,r- "',r_ .. - -.. - '- r-!.~~ \. 84 Q.

V, -'-'
'- ,,'r·
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0
~~,
Ni
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.......
, ........ , .... .... 1'-. ,... ........ ..... ./ I' r,
"
i.J\ ~

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>
~ /I -92
+60· 2
+45· \
+30·~ '" I1 ,.;
~

0·- ID
94

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Microphone serial no, 102
I I
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ttf
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Frequency, c/s '"

Fig. 2 - S. T. and C. microphone ty pe ~038. B. Frequency

characteristics in horizontal plane
 4

3. PERFORMANCE.

3.1. Method of Measurement.

The frequency characteristics were measured in a plane progressive sound

field by the substitution method. A pressure-gradient sub-standard was used at low
frequencies and a pressure standard for the remainder of the audio-frequency band.
The accuracy of comparison was within ± ~ dB and the frequency characteristics of both
the standard and sub-standard were known to approximately ± ~ dB.

3.2. Frequency Characteristics.

The tests described in this section were made on type 4038.B instruments.
Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show the open-circuit frequency characteristics for sound incident at
various angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. Fig. 5(a) gives the relation-
ship between the open-circuit voltage and the voltage developed across a 300 ohm load
connected to the microphone as shown, whilst Fig. 6 shows the maker's published curve
of the axial characteristic.

For comparison with Figs. 2 and 4, Figs. 7 to 9 show the characteristics of

a type PGS/l microphone for sound incident in the corresponding horizontal and
vertical planes.

It will be seen that the response of the two microphones is very similar
although that of the type 4038.B is not so well maintained at high frequencies as that
of the type PGS/l, either for sound incident on the axis or at the various angles
shown.

-80
...
':;
-82
..
1/ i""" f"'-"
r
r"- ~. --" ........ , ... t3b OlD
u
'v

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..
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Microphone serial no. 102
I 'I -100
o
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et 0 0 0 1 0
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Frequency, cls
..;
...'"
.,;

Fig. 3 - S.T. and C. microphone type 4n38.B. Frequency

characteristics in vertical plane above axis
 5

- 80 ...
I ::>
y
- 8, ~

~
,,- I"-" .. - '....- , ..... ---- .. - -- u

.
--
~ c

/, ,. .......... '
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-~
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0

1-, ~" '" '"'

1-. r....... 86 N-

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i/
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h '''1
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>
- 92

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-30''lj
-45'
-60'
1 '\ -96
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Microphon~ serial no. 10l

I \
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0

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Frequency,
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,...., coC\o
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~- .e ...: cO c'~-
0
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o-
N

Fig. lj. - S. T. and C. microphone type LI038.B. Frequency

characteristics in vertical pl ane below axis

+6

+4
...
."
+2
l.,...o ........ ~I;:
0
-t"\ CL413~-33

T- ;1
le!~;
5 ~ -2
I
(a) 6 ~ I 8
I-~
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VI
3
~ I~
1_ 21 11
Impedance ratio I: 10
4

"*
Relationship bet.ween open-circuit voltage and voltage developed

- ......
across 300 ohm load, using transformer connected os shown

.............
60

SO

40
~

30
.e
r-
(b) Modulus of impedance 0

20

10
Microphone serial no. 102
00000000
.,., 'Ill" .,.. 0 r-..1D0,0
0
0

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0

Frequency, c/s

Fig. 5 - S.T. and C. microphone type LI038.B.

6

N·
E
-80 ~
..
c

..
>-
82 ~
~
0'-
..... -84
> ::>
v
......!::

V
./
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1\
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o u
.&:
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o <>
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0 "
,..: «>02 .,;

Frequency, c/s
'" ~ vi
'"

Fig. 6 - S.T. and C. microphone type ~038.B, Axial frequency

Characteristic (from maker's publ ished curve)

+4

+2

-2 .
t!
N

4 >-
~

-6
...::
~.
v .0
~

0
+ 60° -8
v +45 0 \ ",,, 1\
li \
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1--4---+--+-I-+-H---/--+---4--+-+-+--H-t-t---+ +300~'\ -10

-12

I I -14
0 0 0 000,0 0 0
...
0 0000 0
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0 0

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Frequency, c/s

Fig. 7 - Average type P.G.S. microphone Frequency

characteristics in horizontal plane

Fig. 10 shows the maximum difference in axial frequency characteristic

between three production models of the type 4038.B.

3.3. Impedance.

Fig. 5(b) shows the modulus of the impedance, nominally 30 ohms. The
shape of the curve is similar to that of the corresponding type PGS/l characteristic.

3.4. Sensitivity.

The mid-band open-circuit sensitivity of several instruments has been

measured; the average value is -84 dB with reference to 1 volt/dyne/cm 2 , 1 dB higher
than the makers claim. At the secondary terminal of an ideal transformer of such
 7

+4

+2
Do
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. .... .. - .. ...- ,- fo .. - .... --
/""-
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16
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Frequency, c/s
'" '" .0 ,.: cO ='~ <:>
'"
Fig. 8 - Average type P.G.S. microphone Frequency characteristics
in vertical plane above axis

+4

,,
". ....... r- r......
.. ... _ ,- -........ -.. - . .. -. --- ----* , ...... \,.... ,/.,":: 00.
+2

-- - ,,'
0
,- ~
rr~ -\
/ ... ,- ....1- .....
J
.......
~-
_ .... ........... ,- ~ -2 ...
0
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, /' """"- ~ ....... -"""'-
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.
....-30 0
~.
N

..
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... ...
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6
>-
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.i \ \ - 450 111
-8
~
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I
~ 1\ \
0'- , \
-300~
0
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-45 -60· "

-60 0 . -12

I 1 1
"'{ 14
C) IQ et Cl Cl Cl '00 co o 0 000100 C> o 0 C) Cl 0 0 0 0 0
~ co 0.0 co o o et 0 0 0 0
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Frequency, c/s
'"
Fig. 9 - Average type P.G.S. microphone Frequency characteristics
in vertical plane below axis

a ratio as to raise the mid-band impedance to 300 ohms the open-circuit sensitivity
would be -74 dB. The corresponding figure for the type PGS/l is -75 dB.

3.5. Noise.

3.5.1. General.

In the absence of interference from external sources the electrical noise

output of the microphone is caused by thermal agitation in the resistive portion of
8

its impedance. The open-circuit noise level is -143 dB with reference to 1 volt and
-137 dB when weighted by an aural sensitivity network type ASN/3. 'The mid-band
sound pressure required to give a signal equivalent to the weighted level is + 21 dB
with reference to 0'0002 dyne/cm2. The corresponding figure is the same for the type
PGS/1.

3.5.2. Interference from Magnetic Fields.

Measurements were made, at various frequencies, of the maximum voltage

generated in the microphone by external alternating magnetic fields. The upper limit
allowed for the type PGS/1 is 1j1.V/milligauss at 1 kc/s into a load of 300 ohms. The
averagEl figure_for a number of type 4038 instruments is equivalent to 0·6j1.V; no
limit is specified by the manufacturers.

For a typical microphone the mid-band sound levels, with reference to

0'0002 dyne/cm2, required to give an output equivalent to that produced by a field of
1 milligauss at 50 c/s, 1 kc/s and 10 kc/s are + 11 dB, + 33 dB and + 50 dB respectively.
The corresponding figures for a type PGS/1 are + l2 dB, + 24 dB and + 38 dB.

+4

+2
....,,,, -I. ~
""'" ~ ~ ..... ~

~
~ ~ ~
- ~
~
-2
0

'~ -4 ...
~ -6
'"

-8

-10

-12
00000000 C> C> C> 0000
,." .. '" <tr--.cooC)
C>
C>

'"
....
C>
...
C>
C>
C>
on ..,
C> 0000
..... CD~~
C>
C>
C>
~
C>
C>
C>
C>
C>
C>
.;:
C>
C>
C)
C>
C>
0000
0000
o IQ 0 0 0
c$g
,..;- vS ,.: m
C>
C>
C>

Frequency, cls '" cS

'"
Fig. 10 - S.T. and C. microphone type !lOS8.B. Spread in axial
frequency characteristics of three microphones

4. LISTENING TESTS.

Listening tests were made using male voices from acoustically dead surround-
ings, and later, in conjunction with S.S.E.S.B.'s departm.ent, tests were also
carried out with orchestral music. The standard of microphone performance was very
high and comparative tests with a type PGS/1 instrument showed that the audible
difference in extreme high frequency response was not very great.
 9

5. CONCLUSIONS.

The ch~racteristics of the type 4038 are similar to those of the type PGS/1
on which the design is based.

The microphone has a wide frequency range and the slight reduction in high
frequency response compared with the type PGS/1 may for most applications be ignored.
The measured axial characteristic of the three specimens tested is generally in very
good agreement with the makers' published curve, the bass response being slightly more
extensive than that claimed, and the spread in production is small,

The high sensi tivi ty of the original design has been maintained and
interference due to extraneous magnetic fields is extremely low.

The manufacturers have therefore been successful in adapting the PGS/1

design to quantity production without any great sacrifice in performance. Some
facilities provided in the original PGS/1 design have been omitted and the external
appearance is somewhat unusual but in return there has been a substantial reduction in
cost.

6. REFERENCES.

1. "The Design of the PGD and PGS Ribbon Microphones", Report No, M-015 ,
Serial No. 1953/16.
liThe Design of the PGD and PGS Ribbon Microphones~ Final Report ",
Report No. M-015/2, Serial No. 1956/17.

EGF