Sennheiser MD-421 in the studio.

Austin Tripp · Post by **Austin Tripp** » 25 Jun 2010 9:28 am

I've been using a Shure 58 lately and it has real good tone, but to me, its more of a "stage" mic. I had a session the other day and the engineer let me use a Sennheiser MD-421. The clarity and warmth the mic has to offer is outstanding. I thought about buying one, but before I do, I would like to hear what everyone has to say about this mic that has used one. Thanks everyone!

Don McGregor · Post by **Don McGregor** » 26 Jun 2010 5:07 am

I use two vintage 421's directly into my Mini DV camera when I'm shooting live video of a band.
They are excellent for that.
I also frequently use them in place of 58's for vocals.
SM58's are perfect for all types of things, but the 421's and 441's just seem to have a clearer, more transparent sound.
Love my Sennheisers.
For my two cents, it's definitely worth having another color in your crayon box.

David Winfrey · Post by **David Winfrey** » 26 Jun 2010 3:25 pm

Austin,
If you are wanting to use a dynamic mic, then the Sennheiser MD-421 is an excellent choice. If you walk into any good studio they will have at least a pair if them. They are a studio classic. As I recall they have been around for almost 40 years.
In short, they are one of the best dynamic mics you can buy, and are a step above the Shure SM57.
Regards,
David

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 28 Jun 2010 10:21 am

I think the is light years above the sm-57. With a five position roll-off on the low freqs, and the clarity of the wide freq response makes most 57's sound like caca. The 441 has a 10 position low freq selector. I used many of both in a recording environment for years.

However, I also believe that today there are many other mics that work on stage that are as good if not better, especially for the money. Also, you can have the best mic in the world and if your sound person doesn't have it together, you might as well have a tin can and a string.

The one single flaw of the 421 is the wimpy mic connector. They don't last long on stage.

Sennheiser makes gooooooood stuff! Not cheap though....

Walter Bowden · Post by **Walter Bowden** » 15 Aug 2010 4:56 pm

I agree with Steve; The stand attachment/clip whatever is not very forgiving but it is a really good "old school studio classic" microphone. I have used them to mic toms, sax and for radio announcer/DJ/voice overs. The adjustable roll off is handy, off axis response is consistent and it will take a lot of SPL's without breaking up.

Gordon Hartin · Post by **Gordon Hartin** » 10 Oct 2010 1:29 pm

Austin,

The 421 is a great mike. I bought mine from music123.com they have a option on their site to Beat the Price, so if you do a little online bargain hunting find where it is cheapest and send that link to music123 and they will probably give you a better price. They usually have free shipping also.

Gordon

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 16 Oct 2010 5:17 am

I have four 421's and two 441's.

Work horses of the industry, and if in doubt, you can
throw one up and get something useful on almost anything you put them in front of.

If you are going to have only one mic,
then that is on the 'reasonably priced' short list.

Stan Knowles NC · Post by **Stan Knowles NC** » 18 Oct 2010 6:29 pm

I was producer of the "COUNTRY CROSSROADS" radio
show which was heard weekly around the world on
almost 1,500 stations...playing real country music
and featuring interviews with the artists, behind
the scenes music people and musicians. It was
co-hosted by Jerry Clower and Bill Mack.

At first we used Telefunken U-47's in the studios,
then, we switched to Sennheiser M-421's and Neuman
U-87's.

The 421's of course...are NOT U-47's...nor are
they U-87's....but I will tell you one thing.
In my opinion, for a dynamic mike, they very well
simulated the studio sound of both of the other
mikes...and, as a dynamic....you could almost use
them for hammers to drive nails...and they STILL
would work!

I'm being a little bit facitious...but not much!
The 421's were great....and we had about 8 of them!
They're TOUGH and WONDERFUL!

Stan...

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 18 Oct 2010 6:36 pm

Another view.
I built a near match '59 Fender Bassman amp clone
Charlie Musslewhite played through it at a concert.

I put a MD-421 in front of one of the Weber 10" speakers.
We never even bothered to switch on the EQ. on the board.

Henri Musslewhite said:
" That's what Charlie is supposed to sound like."

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 18 Oct 2010 7:51 pm

Desert island mic....

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 19 Oct 2010 9:47 am

Good mic. A little "honk-y" or nasal sounding to my ears, but sometimes that's just what you need. Especially if you're going for a classic pedal steel sound. Opinions on tone really vary, so I'd say if you hear something you like (such as the 421), go with your ears.