MD421-II

This mic has been around forever for a reason. It is an extremely versatile microphone that can be applied in many roles. A big part of the versatility is a relatively high output level, large diaphragm and the really well engineered variable high pass filter ring.The high pass filter selector takes this from a very powerful bottom end response for capturing bass cabinets and toms to being able to thin it out to use for things like an overhead mic for drums or communications grade speech recording.For voicover or singing work you will need to manage plosives with pop filters or application of compressors. It has a great articulate quality for voice with the emphasis on the upper mid-range frequency response. Once managed it performs very well across many types of voices. I have a lot of low frequency energy in my voice and run these at the mid-point selection of the high pass filter selector. Works great.The cardioid pattern has a nice forgiving sweet spot to it allowing for some freedom of movement with a predictable and manageable proximity effect. With practice you can get some great dynamic speech results as well as vocal effects while singing.If you are strictly doing voiceover work and don't have appropriate outboard processing gear or experience with processing, other mic designs like the EV RE series, the Rode or the Heil PR40 may make it easier for you, but this microphone has broader applications.

This is the best dynamic mic ever, in my humble opinion. Although I do respect the versatility of others dynamics I have and use in specific occasions, such as the SM57 and the e906, the MD421 is at a higher level and too much better for recording drums (snare, toms and kick), bass and guitar amps. I do recommend this mic and will acquire more of it in the future.

We used these every day, for 25-years while I was in radio. Very nice mic - versatile and well built!

I’m not a sound engineer, buy I’ve tried 5 different microphones on my toms. This one’s the only one that sounds really good. It’s also the most expensive one I’ve tried. I’m sure there’s a $2k mic out there that sounds better than this one, but this is the most I’m willing to spend to mic up my drum set.One thing though. It’s pretty large so think how and where you’re going to place it before spending your money.

I like the sound of the mic with an SM57, but it has some sharp highs that need to be tamed in post. To prevent those highs at the source, I would tilt it slightly off-axis. The is a must have in any mic closet!

This great front address mic has solved my problem of picking up my voice and not the cars driving by and planes flying overhead. It's a moderately priced professional grade broadcasting mic and (besides me) is the number one reason my live, weekly, internet-radio show sounds so great!

I have been using a Shure SM7B and EV RE20 in lieu of the Sennheiser MD 421. Whereas both aforementioned mics are great in their own rite, I'm kicking myself for holding off on acquiring the MD 421. This mic is outstanding!Absolutely beautiful clarity coupled with the ability to handle high SPLs make this mic a MUST have.

One of the great workhorses of the home studio and everywhere else. Historically used primarily for toms but a real addition to anyone's toolkit. I'm using it for male vocals in a live setting with great results and it is terrific on guitars in the right setting.