Sennheiser MD421 II Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

The Sennheiser MD 421-II Microphone is a cardioid, dynamic microphone popularized by the recording and broadcast industry. Walk into any drum booth in any major studio and you'll most likely see Sennheiser MD 421 II mics on the toms. Talk to just about any seasoned FOH or recording engineer about their drum miking preferences for toms and percussion and the Sennheiser MD 421 II mic's name invariably comes up. Its excellent sound qualities also enable the MD 421 II microphone to cope with the most diverse recording conditions and broadcast applications.

The MD 421-II is favored for its ability to handle a variety of applications due to its flexible bass control. The microphone features a 5-position bass roll-off switch and frequency response of 30 to 17,000 Hz. The cardioid polar pattern effectively rejects off-axis noise due to room acoustics and noise, and also provides effective feedback rejection often caused by monitors positioned within close proximity.

The MD 421-II features a dynamic capsule, allowing even signal response whether close-up or at a reasonable distance. This is particularly useful for broadcast applications, where announcers and DJs can refrain from remaining absolutely stationary. The MD 421-II also handles very high sound pressure levels, making it suitable for miking instruments high in transient (peak) response.