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Published on 07/19/11 at 00:00
It is always exciting to review a legendary microphone, because I can just talk about the microphone, without comparing it to other microphones (although I will mention one at the end).
The Sennheiser MD 421 II is a fantastic dynamic microphone that is legendary for broadcast work, but is equally vaunted as a do all microphone in the studio. The Sennheiser MD 421 II is loved more than most microphones when it comes to mic'ing tom drums. However, it has been known to be fantastically suited for guitar amps, especially the ones that are very saturated in the low end and need the punch that the MD 421 II brings to the table.
The Sennheiser MD 421 II is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern. It has a rather nice frequency response from 30-17,000 Hz. Its great ability to mic up drums and guitar amps speaks tons about its ability to handle high SPL's.
The microphone itself is very well built, although the mounting system is just about the worst I have ever seen implemented in a microphone. Sennheiser even sells a shockmount that is supposed to mitigate that, but in my little experience, does little to help. The issue with the clip is that is simply is not secured to the microphone very well due to design. It slides, and if the microphone is tilted the wrong way, it tends to slid out of the clip. There have been stories of people simply gluing the microphone into place on the clip, which is what my friend did. I am thus only relaying what I have heard about this, because my friend's MD 421 II did not suffer from this problem on account of his gluing it to the clip.
OVERALL OPINION
The MD 421 II is a fantastic microphone for most applications, and if I had to compare it to anything, which I do, even though the MD 421 II itself sets a standard, I could say (in a dangerous broad sweep of a statement) that it is a rich man's Shure SM57.
One more interesting fact is that it CAN be used for vocals, although it would not be my first choice the same way the SM57 wouldn't be. However, because I see it as a rich man's 57, it also lends a pleasing tone to some voices, considering that it is used as a mainstay in broadcast, and the SM578 is not. If you have the cash, I highly recommend giving the Sennheiser MD 421 II a shot!
The Sennheiser MD 421 II is a fantastic dynamic microphone that is legendary for broadcast work, but is equally vaunted as a do all microphone in the studio. The Sennheiser MD 421 II is loved more than most microphones when it comes to mic'ing tom drums. However, it has been known to be fantastically suited for guitar amps, especially the ones that are very saturated in the low end and need the punch that the MD 421 II brings to the table.
The Sennheiser MD 421 II is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern. It has a rather nice frequency response from 30-17,000 Hz. Its great ability to mic up drums and guitar amps speaks tons about its ability to handle high SPL's.
The microphone itself is very well built, although the mounting system is just about the worst I have ever seen implemented in a microphone. Sennheiser even sells a shockmount that is supposed to mitigate that, but in my little experience, does little to help. The issue with the clip is that is simply is not secured to the microphone very well due to design. It slides, and if the microphone is tilted the wrong way, it tends to slid out of the clip. There have been stories of people simply gluing the microphone into place on the clip, which is what my friend did. I am thus only relaying what I have heard about this, because my friend's MD 421 II did not suffer from this problem on account of his gluing it to the clip.
OVERALL OPINION
The MD 421 II is a fantastic microphone for most applications, and if I had to compare it to anything, which I do, even though the MD 421 II itself sets a standard, I could say (in a dangerous broad sweep of a statement) that it is a rich man's Shure SM57.
One more interesting fact is that it CAN be used for vocals, although it would not be my first choice the same way the SM57 wouldn't be. However, because I see it as a rich man's 57, it also lends a pleasing tone to some voices, considering that it is used as a mainstay in broadcast, and the SM578 is not. If you have the cash, I highly recommend giving the Sennheiser MD 421 II a shot!