Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt | Overview

MSRP: (UK) £279 / (US) $289

Nick Jennison critiques the Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt — a flexible, dynamic cardioid microphone that delivers the legendary efficiency of the unique MD 421 in a streamlined, multipurpose design. It incorporates a cardioid pickup sample and noteworthy dynamic vary, offering crystal-clear sound copy appropriate for each stay sound and recording purposes. Constructed with rugged German engineering, the MD 421 Kompakt is designed to face up to the rigours of touring and heavy studio use, making it a dependable selection for capturing pristine audio with outstanding constancy and element.



The Sennheiser MD 421 is a microphone that is nothing wanting legendary. It is the trade customary for recording toms and brass devices; it was the dialogue microphone of selection for numerous TV reporters and radio presenters; singers as numerous as Donna Summer time, Aretha Franklin, and Rod Stewart all used it as their stay vocal mic of selection. For us guitarists, although, it is the “different, posher dynamic mic” we use on speaker cabs.

In comparison with the Shure SM57, the MD 421 is fuller, larger, and fewer mid-humped. It is extra aggressive than a Royer 121 (and MUCH cheaper) and brings a lot of the identical highly effective low finish however with a extra “ahead” supply. It is a unbelievable mix mic, or may even stand alone as a single mic.

It isn’t good, although: it is fairly a cumbersome mic, and its famously awkward clip could make it a ache to place. It is too massive to go away arrange on a cab in a rolling flight case, and it is not sturdy sufficient to outlive a direct hit from an aggressive drummer. It is also slightly on the costly aspect for a lot of guitarists’ tastes. Fortunately, the brand new MD 421 Kompakt solves all these points and extra!

It makes use of the identical capsule and internals because the bigger MD 421 MkII, however in a compact enclosure that mounts instantly onto a drum by way of an non-compulsory clip or sits completely on a mic stand. It does not have a bass-cut change, however I am unable to say I’ve ever used that on the unique. It does not include a tough case both, however it’s almost £100 cheaper than the full-size mannequin, in order that’s a sacrifice I am completely glad to make. It is also mentioned to be considerably extra sturdy than its larger siblings – though I have not been courageous sufficient to check this out on our demo unit!

By way of sound, is it precisely the identical because the MD 421 MkII? Not fairly, nevertheless it’s very shut. There is a slight notch round 5k (which is definitely very flattering on a guitar cab), however other than that, it sounds very related – regardless of having a distinct impedance and a smaller inner quantity. That full, fats low finish is there in spades, as is the ahead, “exhausting” midrange that we love a lot on a cab.

With the MD 421 Kompakt, Sennheiser might have made the right iteration of the 421 for guitar gamers. The higher mids sound much more flattering on a cab than the unique; its small dimension makes it simpler to place and ensures it will not “droop” on a stand; it does not have any extraneous options we’re unlikely to make use of; it is extra sturdy, extra moveable, and extra reasonably priced. If you do not have a 421 in your mic locker, you do not have an excuse anymore!

For extra info, please go to:

www.sennheiser.com/