Sennheiser MD 431 user reviews ( 10/10) - 4 user reviews

• 11/02/11

  heads on fire's review "Need a dynamic and money is no object?"

  Characteristics

  Specification Detail
  
  Microphone Type Dynamic
  
  Polar Pattern Supercardioid
  
  Frequency Response 40kHz-16kHz
  
  Impedance 250 ohms
  
  Exceptionally good feedback rejection
  
  Shock mounted capsule provides very good rejection of handling noise
  
  Hum compensating coil
  
  Integral pop filter
  
  Includes quick release clamp
  
  Length 7.9"
  
  Width 1.9"
  
  Depth 1.9"
  
  Weight .55 lbs.

  Overall Opinion

  I'll start by saying this is the best dynamic microphone I've ever used. It is fantastic on just about everything! I found a great use for it with male vocals, snare, toms, kick drum, percussion, electric guitar, and bass. I'm certain it would excel at other applications, like winds and brass, and other acoustic instruments. The mic has a nice immediacy of the transient attack, and it still gives a sparkle on the top end that rivals great condenser mics. The lows and low mids are extremely rich and detailed, while still picking up nice breathiness from vocals. This is a "secret weapon" type mic - everyone knows about the more famous older brother mic, the MD421, but I think the 431 is even better. They have similar frequency responses, but I prefer the polar pattern of the 431 for more precise miking, and the 431 is easy to hold in the hand, for live rockin' vocal performances!
  
  
  
  This is George Massenburg's favorite snare mic, and Dave Grohl's favorite vocal mic for a reason - it rules! I'd honestly love to have a full complement of them - enough to top and bottom mic all toms, snare, and kick of a drumset. The problem with that is, they're danged expensive! But honestly, the mic is fully worth it. If you have something that you like an SM-57 on, this will do the job just as well, only it will sound better! An added bonus is that the microphone has a really cool, distinctive look, so it helps in that regard. I highly recommend the Sennheiser MD431 for nearly any microphone application.
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• 07/19/11

  Kierkes's review

  Characteristics

  Not every microphone manufacturing company has the kind of microphone in the class that the Sennheiser MD 431 fits in. I never got my hands on the apparent successor, the Sennheiser MD 431 II, but the MD 431 in and of itself is absolutely stunning. At any rate, the Sennheiser MD 431 is in that range of monstrous premium microphones that venues seem to own more often than artists. It sits in that same class as the Audio Technica Artist Elite, the Shure KSM's, the Neumann KMS's. Any one of these microphones or series of microphones will blow the mainstays away when it comes to vocals, so there really is not that much to say.
  
  
  
  The Sennheiser MD 431 is a dynamic microphone. That is a big deal, because at its price point, one would expect to start seeing condensers. Not so with the MD 431. Unless you actually hear or use it in comparison to one of the lower end standards, you cannot be impressed by this microphone, because the specifications do not market the microphone well: It is a supercardioid microphone (so it does have some higher end stigma attached) but again, it is a dynamic, and it has an initially disappointing frequency response of only 40-16,000 Hz.
  
  
  
  But this microphone sings nonetheless. What I find particularly bizarre about this microphone is that the frequency graph shows a slight rise in a sibilance area and the air area, so even though it blew me away on my own voice, perhaps it may not work on someone else as well, and one of the other high end stage microphones will work better. Do not get me wrong; the 431 still blows the cheaper microphones right out of the water; owning Shures is just the slightest bit disappointing after using this, but I digress.

  Overall Opinion

  You must understand, at this price point, the microphone had better be good. If you get one new, you'll likely be grabbing the MD 431 II, which is quite good as well. One thing I always bug myself about is the on/off switch, just because I am a non-utilitarian elitist who thinks his microphones should look as simple as Macbooks. However, this microphone is a fantastic offering from a company that generally never steers anyone in the wrong direction, ever.
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• 10/09/08

  joshsound's review

  Characteristics

  This mic is one of Sennheiser's nicest mics for live vocals. It is a dynamic mic, so it doesn't really have the super smooth top end that condensers will give you in the studio, but its other benefits far outweigh that loss when it comes to the live setting that this mic was designed for. First of all it is a dynamic mic, so it is by definition going to be a little bit less sensitive than other types. This is a good thing on stage, because you only want the singer in your signal, not everything else. The polar pickup pattern is supercardioid, so anything behind and to the sides of this mic is going to be almost completely rejected. I have found this to be one of the tightest patterns I've ever heard on a mic, which is great news for loud rock bands struggling to keep their singer audible over blazing guitars and drums. It also has a couple other nice features, like an internal shock mount that reduces any rumbling you get from handling the mic. It has a built in pop filter to cut down on singer plosives, and an on/off switch which is very key for a live show when you need to quickly cut the mic. You can also lock it in the on position so you don't accidentally knock the switch off. Overall, the sound is very crisp and punchy, and should be able to sit on top of a band mix pretty well. It doesn't need any phantom power and will connect with a standard XLR cable.

  Overall Opinion

  I have used these at a few shows, and I was surprised to see that they didn't have SM58's set up. I was very pleased with how the vocals sounded every time, and upon listening back to a live recording from one of these shows I was amazed at how clean the lead vocal track was. It was a testament to just how good the off-axis rejection is on this mic. I definitely recommend picking up one of these for your singer, it sounds great. It is a little bit more pricey, but it should be worth it.
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• 10/17/08

  Bernard Ancèze's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Supercardiode vocal microphone, hum compensating coil of filter, Intgr mcaniques against noise, anti-popping intgre switch, ILS, in rponse frquence 40 to 16,000 Hz, transmittance empty (1kHz) 2 mV / Pa 3 dB, 250 Ohm nominal impdance, impdance mini. load 1000 Ohm, dimensions 49 x 200 mm, body 31 mm, weight approx.
  
  250 g.
  
  http://www.sennheiserfrance.com/fr/icm.nsf/root/01605 # ( http://www.sennheiserfrance.com/fr/icm.nsf/root/01605# )

  Overall Opinion

  It is clearly intended to be sung and gives good trs rsultats on skin, congas, etc ... and on the trumpets. Good resistance to feedback, better than the SM58, as well as shure sm85 or 87, less than KMS105 Neumann. Good output, less than electrostatic, rather than the sm58. Easier to live the sm58 and the Electrovoice. Proximity effect while acceptable with about-12dB 100Hz on its edge for a vocalist who eats the mic or in case of returns difficult. Otherwise 10cm / 20cm enjoyable sound is trs, trs good intelligibility no mud at the bottom mdium. This range of electro-dynamic in Senneheiser (R 421, 431 and 441) is really excellent. They are more expensive than Electrovoice and sm 58 beta, and it sr, but it's not cheating. The MD421 is a micro plutt reporting and 431 and 441 are real microphones scne or studio. In the studio MD431 its place and everything is good to be trs singers, skins and horns, with less overhead, electric guitar (it may be a matter of got), low , sax. For an amateur studio work or personal is a good vocal mic trs.

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