All user reviews of 5/5 for the Sennheiser MD 421

VERY high maximum SPL (or, if you will, little sensitivity, rated at 2mV/Pa +-3dB), dynamic and cardioid shaped (don't be fooled by it's condenser-ish disguise, the mic's front is it's topmost end!). This mic is a staple on most studio locker's around the world. You can throw them on unnecessarily loud rock amps and they will hands-down handle it, put them on toms and you'll get a classic sound with good rejection from the rest of the drums, just remember, this ain't no jazzy and delicate mic.

It has a not so obvious bass roll-off switch intended to reduce the proximity effect, labeled from "M" (which I presume is for "music", or flat response) to "S", which I suppose means "Speech", or full roll-off starting @ 500Hz.

It is also very well built, mine was bought used and has no dents or obvious scratches at all.

OVERALL OPINION

I love it on bass cabinets, specially since I've been recording stoner/doom stuff that is just amazingly fuzzed up and somewhat loud (remember though that loud amps = great sound is a myth). I also like it on toms, depending on how the drummer hits the kit and the genre. If it's really loud and rock-ish I'll put the 421's without thinking twice.

They're also inexpensive, maybe not 57 cheap but still a pretty good deal. My only complaint is the retarded design on the clamp that just seems to be made by the devil himself so you drop the mic over and over again.


Good thing it's built like a tank.

The Sennheiser MD 421 is a dynamic cardioid microphone,excellent for both live and studio usage. It's considered a classic and a must-have among professional recording studios around the world. It's incredibly versatile; you can record from drums, saxophones and percussion to guitars and even vocals. Although it should be considered that the mid-low range is where this microphone works best. In the studio we use it mainly for toms and guitars. It's somewhat expensive compared to other dynamic microphones, but in this case you are getting much more sound quality, so at the end you could say the price is reasonable.

OVERALL OPINION

One of the most important characteristics of this microphone is the ability to handle very high sound pressure levels, so it's ideal for miking drums and loud amps. Sound quality is top-notch.
In conclusion, I would't get any other microphone for recording drums (especially toms). If you are looking for a very versatile, resistant and precise microphone for recording in studio or live this should be your first choice!

It is a dynamic all bte. But they fasten it with a clamp specially Owner 'all null and fragile. O On the note.

OVERALL OPINION

I test on a trumpet, recording tracks of 5 with Shure SM57, SM58, Beta57, BETA58 around. The 421 is by far my prfr Other worthless cot.

On the voice, not bad too, but the BETA58 done better.

Commonly used on the toms or bass drum, or who return to guitar amp, you can find her full application seeking!

This mic is a definite classic, and you would be hard pressed to find a decent studio that didn't have at least one of these lying around. There is more than one version of the 421, and this is the original that is no longer in production. That said, there are a ton of them floating around in second hand sales. Many argue that this one sounds better than the newer MD 421 II, but in my opinion they are quite similar. There is a difference, but it is slight. It is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid pickup pattern. It has a unique method of clipping on to stands, which is helpful when you are mic'ing up a drum set. These come with a roll-off filter that is switchable to a few different settings, but if you're mic'ing drums or bass, two common applications for this mic, you probably will want to leave that alone. It connects with a standard XLR mic cable.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using these ever since I got started with recording. They sound great on pretty much all drums except the kick drum, although I know people who even use it there. The real selling point is using these on toms though, as they really shine in that situation and that's what these mics are primarily known for. They aren't so great above around 6k, so you wouldn't really want to use these for vocals or anything that you want to sparkle. But anything that you want to have some real substance and bite would do well to do be recorded with a 421. These mics are relatively cheap to come by, so they are definitely worth picking up. They are a great value considering the awesome sounds you can get through these. I couldn't imagine recording drums without them, so I would of course get them again.