Sennheiser MD 421 Revisions Shootout & Review

[@tonekilltech]

I've got an MD421 U-5 from the 80s, super clean. Definitely one of my favorite dynamic mics for guitar and bass cabs.

[@meistudiony]

U is probably my fave out of them all. My HN is getting a bit tired in the low end. Sennheiser should go back to making the mic like that and just charge a couple bucks more, IMO.

[@jalind1]

I use an MD421-II for a lot of stuff live. Brass especially. I'll be using it maybe for a flute in a Hispanic ensemble as a choice between it and an AKG C213. Depending on the talent's artistic direction. Yes, I'm a live sound engineer who listens to and collaborates with artistic direction. Apparently, some talent find that refreshing which gives me some reflective thoughts about what other live engineers may have done with them in the past. But I digress. My main reason for this comment is my solution to the infamous quick-release mic clip. I pass s black straightened out plastic-wire twist-tie or a small-sized zip tie through one or both of the small rectangular holes that are between the button pad and the clip frame when it is assembled. This prevents the button from operating or being depressed. I call it a safety wire or safety tie. The button, in the infinite wisdom of its creator, is exactly where talent will grip the mic and clip to adjust it thereby quickly releasing the mic to the nearest horizontal hard surface usually some feet distant. Generally faster than the talent can catch or anyone realizes and can intervene to prevent. Hence, the name quick release.

[@meistudiony]

That is a great idea for the quick release!! Thanks for sharing that, i have to try that!

[@EspeciallyCrunchy]

I bought a MD421 MKII for my guitar cab recently and fell in love with it after a (somewhat frustrating) night or two of experimenting with placement. It excels at being so instantly modern sounding, which is what I really wanted out of a mic. What I found was that this mic really likes being away from the speaker grill---this balances out the hiss and some weird frequencies without losing the qualities I heard in all the IRs I like that made me want to buy a 421....the fast transient, the articulation and those sexy low-mids.

[@meistudiony]

Have you ever checked out the 441? Going to be my next video.

[@LoveRaptor]

The quick release clip on this mic the devil. THE DEVIL I SAY!

[@meistudiony]

You'll get no argument from me...

[@ScottGrammer]

@@meistudiony I've used but never owned 421's. I borrowed a pair from a friend who had found his own solution to the mic clips. It was five-minute epoxy....

[@meistudiony]

@@ScottGrammer lol, not gonna lie, thats not a HORRIBLE idea, especially if the housing is cracked at all down there.

[@Leo_Berger]

Interesting video

[@TheJTish]

nice channel! I found you recently. Honest, down-to=earth and to the point. I like it. I have an early 421 (60 or early 61 S/N: 14998) and an N (it's mid 60's, I think and has the S-M switch). I love them on guitars and I'm just about to order 2 new clips for them as I just broke one (on the old one..and it was original).

[@meistudiony]

Thanks and thanks for watching! They definitely have their place and a unique sound. Im partial to my N and the U, not so big on the HN (HL) and the newer mkii. Havent played with one of the originals (the gross tuchel connector) in a LONG time, but dont remember it being much different than the N or U.

[@compucorder64]

I heard it that way too. The mk.II sounded more condensor-like on toms. But was a bit edgy on guitar cab, especially driven. Reminded me almost of a 414, which I never loved on guitars. The mk.II is nice on bass cab though, it's a bit more defined and articulate, but not harsh like it can be on guitars. I suppose a mk.II mixed with a Royer 121 would probably balance that out.

[@SONORSQ2guy]

The mkii has the least cymbal bleed. The tone is great as well.

[@meistudiony]

The ii has its place. i do rather like it on percussion since the high end is so present (grabs the attack well). I do like my U on guitar cab a little more though. Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@kryptoniterazor]

Great video. Clear, concise presentation and thoroughly researched.

[@meistudiony]

Thanks for checking it out! Appreciate it!

[@artisteo]

Big difference between the two black mics, I have the newer MKII which sound a bit thin for punk/metal compared to the older version that keep the low mids. As long as it doesn't sound like the Sennheiser 609.

[@meistudiony]

Yeah. Not a huge fan of the mkii. The U is my fave. The 906 isnt bad. Ive resisted getting the 609. Thanks for watching!

[@jesserios7333]

I own (4) of the 421-II and use on toms and on guitar cab paired with an SM57. I have yet to use on bass guitar cab, vocals, horns, etc

[@meistudiony]

4 of em! Nice!

[@jesserios7333]

Yes, 3 permanently placed on my toms and the other one for all other purposes.@@meistudiony

[@jesserios7333]

@@meistudiony yes, I leave 3 permanently on my toms and one for other uses

[@LesonDeson]

Nice! Have you tried the MD422?

[@meistudiony]

Hey thanks for watching. Ive never had the opportunity to play around with one. From what i know its a cooler looking, slightly higher output with maybe a touch more grit 421. One of these days it’ll get added to the collection though! If you have one please let me know what you think!

[@LesonDeson]

@@meistudiony I don't but I've seen it pop 3 times on the market during the past 10 years

[@meistudiony]

@@LesonDeson theres a couple on ebay from madooma regularly. Not horribly priced but the shipping is 25% of the cost. Ive seen em on reverb rarely but they do show up. I kinda think they were more a european thing since, when they do show up, theyre all in the EU.

[@isacemanuelman7391]

I just found today an MD421-2 at an outlet store for 5 $.

[@meistudiony]

If its in working condition that a grand slam home run find!!! Congrats!

[@gastonjabaly]

Yup they really put their dead brain cells to work on the most cursed clip's design ever

[@meistudiony]

My disdain for the clip is otherworldly. There were so many other ways that could have been handled.

[@annebokma4637]

I like the mc1. At least you wont see that anywhere else 😁 ah well, md21 will do foe me

[@meistudiony]

Yeah ive still only seen one other even mentioned. Cool weird piece of history there. Thanks for checkin out the video!

[@annebokma4637]

​​@@meistudionyI also bought a MD 412k. But the capsule came loose in shipping. Any idea how to open it? Also are you gonna do a 421 compact review?

[@meistudiony]

@@annebokma4637 lol literally spoke to my SW rep about this 2 days ago. For the 412K, I've never had to disassemble one of them. I only swapped out the connector for an XLR someone a long time ago. Sennheiser likes to hide their screws/connections. Check where the clip connects on the bottom and check to see if that striped band that goes around it is removable. If i can find more info i'll pass it along.

[@annebokma4637]

@@meistudiony thnx going to look tonight 👍 Your SW rep didn't provide one in advance? Do they need some love to not forget about you? All their KZbin friends have reviews popping out all over the place. Bah humbug indeed.

[@meistudiony]

@@annebokma4637 dont think i have enough subs for getting an affiliate agreement w them. One day ill get there. Since i purchase all the mics i review, i dont have to worry about bias.

[@ralflang5524]

Its not called MC1 its simply an old version of the md 21. omni cheers

[@meistudiony]

The tag on the mic says MC1 and sennheiser confirmed with me its not the same mic as the md21.

[@ralflang5524]

@@meistudiony So maybe a closer look inside might help?

[@meistudiony]

@@ralflang5524 from what sennheiser told me it it was a cardioid variant and predecessor to the md421. Wasnt a big production run (under 500, they didnt know exactly since they didnt keep records of the prod runs back then apparently). Ive only seen 2 in the wild (mine and one other online with another low serial number, under 200) one day ill work up the courage to popping the pins on the side and opening it up. Too worried ill break it. Lol

[@ralflang5524]

@@meistudiony it's easier than one might think, just a little care and a tool thats slightly smaller in diameter than the pin and they can easily be pushed in a little bit. I have a Grundig 121 and had the same worries until once and then i was surprised how easy it was.

[@ralflang5524]

i was just wondering how it could be cardioid without slots on the side...

[@silvertonejunky]

Sandlot

[@meistudiony]

not sure i follow.