Coles Electroacoustics' 4104 Commentator's Noise Cancelling Ribbon Microphone is used for reproducing high quality commentary speech from noisy surroundings by cancelling out a considerable degree of background noise. This is achieved by utilizing the "lip mic" design, first introduced by the British Broadcasting Company in 1937 and refined further since, which features a bar above the microphone that rests over the speaker's lip. This bar allows the microphone to pick up on closer sounds (within 2.5 inches), and give them priority over further away background noise.
The 4104 has a proven reliable performance capability, being since its introduction used by such broadcasting networks as the BBC, IBA, CBS and ABC.
The 4104 is not unduly affected by wind noise and can be used in air stream velocities up to 20 mph (32 km/h) without notable difference in speech quality. With the use of a simple windshield attachment good quality speech reproduction can also be achieved in winds ranging up to 40 mph (64 km/h) or more.
Importantly the polar response is effectively bi-directional allowing one or more commentators to make clear individual commentary close side by side without interference from mutual cross over talk.
This microphone is generally regarded as the leader in its field. Wherever it is essential to single out a speaker's voice without transmitting background noise, this is the choice of buyers from all over the world.
One example application is its use in sports reporting, selecting the spoken commentary and cutting out the roar of racing cars at Brands Hatch or the screams of the little old ladies in the ringside seats at wrestling contests. News reporters broadcasting eyewitness accounts of processions and street demonstrations have also depended on this type of microphone.
Equally important is its application in noisy industrial environments; prompt information and explicit instruction may be matters of life and death in a shunting yard or rolling mill, and a noise-cancelling microphone of this quality is the most vital element in such communications.