Introduction
The Sennheiser Professional MD 421-II is a great microphone used in pro audio. People really like it because it’s good for recording studios, broadcasting, and live sound and it’s dependable.
Design and Build
- Robust construction ensures durability.
- Iconic design with a large-diaphragm dynamic capsule.
Performance
This microphone captures sound really clearly. It works well in lots of different recording situations. It’s great at blocking out extra background noise.
Sound Quality
- Rich and warm audio output.
- Ideal for both vocals and instruments.
- Accurate representation of audio sources.
Versatility
- Suitable for a wide range of instruments and vocals.
- Handles high sound pressure levels with ease.
Pros:
- Durable and robust construction
- Exceptional sound quality and clarity
- Versatile for various recording needs
- Suitable for various instruments and vocals
- Excellent off-axis rejection for reduced noise
Cons:
- The Sennheiser Professional MD 421-II microphone is big and not very easy to carry around. It might need extra stuff for certain recording setups.
Conclusion
The Sennheiser Professional MD 421-II is a strong and flexible microphone well-known for being great in different professional sound setups. It’s tough, has great sound, and works well for recording despite being a bit bulky and needing extra gear sometimes.
Kingsqueak –
This mic has been around forever for a reason. It is an extremely versatile microphone that can be applied in many roles. A big part of the versatility is a relatively high output level, large diaphragm and the really well engineered variable high pass filter ring.The high pass filter selector takes this from a very powerful bottom end response for capturing bass cabinets and toms to being able to thin it out to use for things like an overhead mic for drums or communications grade speech recording.For voicover or singing work you will need to manage plosives with pop filters or application of compressors. It has a great articulate quality for voice with the emphasis on the upper mid-range frequency response. Once managed it performs very well across many types of voices. I have a lot of low frequency energy in my voice and run these at the mid-point selection of the high pass filter selector. Works great.The cardioid pattern has a nice forgiving sweet spot to it allowing for some freedom of movement with a predictable and manageable proximity effect. With practice you can get some great dynamic speech results as well as vocal effects while singing.If you are strictly doing voiceover work and don’t have appropriate outboard processing gear or experience with processing, other mic designs like the EV RE series, the Rode or the Heil PR40 may make it easier for you, but this microphone has broader applications.
Marcelo Elias –
This is the best dynamic mic ever, in my humble opinion. Although I do respect the versatility of others dynamics I have and use in specific occasions, such as the SM57 and the e906, the MD421 is at a higher level and too much better for recording drums (snare, toms and kick), bass and guitar amps. I do recommend this mic and will acquire more of it in the future.
Lordusk –
I have been using a Shure SM7B and EV RE20 in lieu of the Sennheiser MD 421. Whereas both aforementioned mics are great in their own rite, I’m kicking myself for holding off on acquiring the MD 421. This mic is outstanding!Absolutely beautiful clarity coupled with the ability to handle high SPLs make this mic a MUST have.
Y. –
I’m not a sound engineer, buy I’ve tried 5 different microphones on my toms. This one’s the only one that sounds really good. It’s also the most expensive one I’ve tried. I’m sure there’s a $2k mic out there that sounds better than this one, but this is the most I’m willing to spend to mic up my drum set.One thing though. It’s pretty large so think how and where you’re going to place it before spending your money.
Ronson Blünderbuss –
I’m using this as a broadcast microphone running it through a Symetrix 528e. It sounds great. Worlds better than the RE20 it has replaced. Pay attention to the 5-position roll off switch as you can get pretty different sounds depending on how much you are rolling off. We set it on M, which is the flattest setting and in my opinion the best sounding. Major bang for buck.
Danyel Hains –
Perfect for live and studio recording session
Randall Griffith –
I do home recording; mostly acoustic based guitar tracks. This microphone delivers a warm, yet crisp recording in my “studio” (my spare bedroom). I was a little reluctant to buy a microphone online, but I was pleasantly surprised with the result. The truth is there is no way to really test out a microphone anywhere except where it’s going to be used. One final thought…I always send my songs to a friend for feedback and she immediately noticed the difference in the guitar sounds between my other microphone (a baby bottle) and the Sennheiser so the improvement wasn’t just noticeable to me.
ChrisMichigan –
I like the sound of the mic with an SM57, but it has some sharp highs that need to be tamed in post. To prevent those highs at the source, I would tilt it slightly off-axis. The is a must have in any mic closet!
デジモノ大好きっ子 –
コンデンサーマイクに負けないクリアーな音声を収録できるマイク好きな海外アーティスト(Patrick Watson)が長年使っているマイクなのでいつか手に入れたい！と思っていました。MD421は現在、一年前と比べて3万円以上も高くなってしまいましたが、値上がり前の在庫があるお店では旧価格で買える所もちらほら有りますので、欲しい方は急いだ方が良いです。もうそろそろ旧価格在庫は底をつくでしょう。肝心のマイク音質は、素人の私が聴き比べても自分のイメージする自分の声にかなり近く、余りイコライザーを弄らないで済んでます。このマイクの特徴であるマイク下部に付いているローパスフィルターは、「M」ミュージックから「S」スピーチまでの5段階で、回すとハッキリと音質が変化します。Sスピーチまで回すとローがかなり低減してしまうので、私はMミュージックから動かす事はなさそうです。人によっては、このローパスフィルターは、かなり便利なのではないでしょうか。それと、MD421を使う人が必ずと言っていい程、口を揃える、悪評高き抜け易いマイクホルダーですが、価格変更直前の現行製造モデルだからでしょうか？全然、抜け易くありません。むしろストッパーを押しながら、かなり力まないと抜けません。嬉しい誤算でした。MD421は昔から使っている人が多いモデルですが、レビュー情報が昔のモデルか現行品のレビューかが分からないので、昔のモデルのみ抜け易いのか、現行品もそうで、私の購入した物の個体差なのかが判別できません。あと、ローパスフィルターもそこそこ堅く、チョット手が触れた位では回りませんので安心してください。音質、マイクホルダー、ローパスフィルター、非常に面白いマイクです。好きなアーティストが使っているので、多少贔屓目に見ている部分を抜きにしても買って良かったです。唯一の不満点を挙げるとすれば、日本の音楽業界ではクジラと形容される、このマイクの特殊な形状。個人的には好きなデザインですが、形状が特殊なので、普通のショックマウントが使えません。メーカー純正の物がありますが高いんですよね。
Hardik Keshan –
The best dynamic mic to existI tried this mic during my time in Manchester loved it then, and always wanted one. Got it at a great price.It captures the fidelity that most condensers can’t imagine