Sennheiser
Sennheiser MD 421
Dynamic, cardioid, five-step bass control (the original MD 421: N, -2, U-4 and U-5 versions)
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
- Released
- 1960
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
5 of 25; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the catalog, p. 13.
"Desired frequency response (with tolerance field)", headed "Drop through bass switch": the nominal curve, not a measurement ("Each microphone of this type is supplied complete with the original test certificate measured from 40 to 17 000 Hz"). The upper graph on the page calls it the "Desired frequency response of the free field no-load transmission factor". dB as printed (the curve sits near 30 dB); distance not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
In practice
All specs
| From the catalog | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −54 dBV/Pa (2 mV/Pa)free field, no load, 1 kHz; ±2.5 dB. Printed "2 mV/Pa ± 2.5 dB" ("Free field no-load transmission factor at 1000 Hz"); converted with 20·log10(0.002 V). | p. 34 |
| Output impedance | 200 ohmelectrical impedance at 1 kHz | |
| Rated load impedance | 200 ohmminimum terminating impedance | |
| Rated frequency range | 30 Hz to 17 kHz"Frequency range: 30 to 17,000 Hz"; the same in the table (p. 34). Test certificates are "measured from 40 to 17 000 Hz". | p. 13 |
| Low cut | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; five-step bass control"Five-step variable bass control with the MD 421 N, MD 421 U-4 and MD 421 U-5"; "a built-in bass equaliser allows adjustment in five defined stages". The table marks no bass control for the MD 421-2 (p. 34). The positions are not named here; frequencies and slopes are not stated. | |
| Connector | XLR-3 (U-4, U-5); DIN 41524 3-pin (N); DIN 41624 3-pin (-2)Table: MD 421 N "3-pin standard plug to DIN 41 524"; MD 421-2 "3-pin standard plug to DIN 41 624"; MD 421 U-4 "3-pin plug for Cannon XLR 3 coupling". Page 13: "MD 421 U-4 black with Cannon plug", "MD 421 U-5 black with adapter thread and Cannon plug". | p. 35 |
| Weight | 530 gMD 421 U-4 and N, approx.; also 500, MD 421-2. "ca. 530 g" (U-4 and N), "ca. 500 g" (-2). | |
| Dimensions | 215 × 46 × 49 mmMD 421 U-4; also [203, 46, 49], MD 421 N; also [191, 46, 49], MD 421-2. Printed "215 x 46 x 49" mm for the U-4 (length × width × depth, as printed). | |
| Versions | MD 421 N (small Tuchel plug, light grey), MD 421-2 (large Tuchel plug, light grey, no bass control), MD 421 U-4 (Cannon/XLR plug, matt black), MD 421 U-5 (as U-4, with adapter thread) | p. 13 |
| Directivity at 1 kHzcancelling | 180° / 18 dB ± 2 dB | p. 34 |
| Magnetic field interference at 50 Hz | 5 µV / 5 µT | p. 35 |
| Hum compensation coil | Yes | p. 13 |
| Plug wiringU-4 | Pins 2 and 3 to the moving coil; pin 1 and plug housing to earth | p. 35 |
| Housing | Impact-proof plastic; N and -2 light grey, U matt black | p. 13 |
| Response shapeSennheiser | "The deliberate rise in frequency response above 3 kHz results in a particularly brilliant standard of transmission" | |
| Handling | "Reduced handling noise and no overload, even at extremely high volume" | |
| Mounting | Quick-release clip (N and -2), changeable for a fixed mount; U-5 with adapter thread | |
| Standard | DIN 45 500 (hi-fi); "The requirement laid down in DIN 45 500 applies for the tolerance field" | |
| Recommended accessories | MZW 421 and MZW 40 windscreens; MZT 421, MZT 12, MZT 100 desk stands; MZQ 421, MZT 237, MZA 421, MZS 235 clamps; MZS 144, MZS 210, MZS 142 floor stands; MZS 211 boom; MZH 21, MZH 141 flexible necks | |
| UsesSennheiser | Radio and TV (reporters, presenters), lecture and conference, high-grade PA, vocalists and instrumentalists | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 1960 | |
Documents
- Sennheiser Micro-Revue, 11th edition (English): microphones, headphones, wireless
- Sennheiser Electronics Corporation MD 421-II | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Sennheiser, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.
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