Sennheiser
Sennheiser MD 421-II
Dynamic, cardioid, 5-position bass roll-off
Power None: a dynamic mic needs no power. Low output: it needs a lot of preamp gain.
- Type
- Dynamic
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −54 dBV/Pa
- Among 78 dynamics: more output than 47%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 16%
- Rated range
- 30 – 17k Hz
vs 44 end-address dynamics
More output than 56% of 44 end-address dynamics.
Each stripe is one end-address dynamic with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the quick guide, p. 1.
Drawn as absolute sensitivity (dB re 1 V/Pa). Distance, anechoic or not, smoothing and typical-vs-individual are not stated.
The manufacturer draws absolute sensitivity (dBV/Pa); shifted here by a constant so 1 kHz is near 0 dB.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Measuring conditions not stated. Each frequency is drawn on one side only (125 to 1000 Hz left, 2000 to 16000 Hz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric. Bass roll-off position not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −54 dBV/Pa (2 mV/Pa)free field, 1 kHz; ±2.5 dB. Stated as 2 mV/Pa; converted: 20·log10(0.002) = -54.0. | p. 2 |
| Output impedance | 250 ohmelectrical impedance | |
| Rated frequency range | 30 Hz to 17 kHzTolerance not stated. The graphs run from 40 Hz to 20 kHz. | |
| Connector | XLR-3 | |
| Weight | 385 gapprox. | |
| Dimensions | 215 × 46 × 49 mmAs printed: 215 x 46 x 49 mm. | |
| Supplied accessories | MZA 421 microphone clamp (3/8" thread); Instruction manualThe quick guide (p. 1) also shows a carry case in the box. | p. 1 |
| Art. no. | MD 421-II: 000984; MZA 421 clamp: 576103 | |
| Optional accessories | MZT 100 table stand (001883); MZW 421 windshield (000536) | p. 2 |
| From the quick guide | ||
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum terminating impedance | p. 2 |
| Low cut | M, 1, 2, 3, S; five-position bass roll-off switchM = music (no roll-off), S = speech (most roll-off). Frequencies and slopes are not stated; see the curves. | p. 1 |
| MZW 421 windshield | Shown with "– 20 dB" in the quick guide | p. 2 |
| Recommended distancespeech | < 10 cm (< 4") | p. 1 |
| Adapter | 3/8" to 5/8" thread adapter shown in setup (not included) | |
Documents
- MD 421-II Product Specification v1.1, EN
- MD 421-II quick guide 07/2024
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.