Sennheiser MD 421

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MD 421 in black
Circumnavigation of an MD421N from approx. 1962

The Sennheiser MD 421 is a widespread dynamic moving coil microphone with a cardioid directional characteristic introduced in 1960 , the converter of which has been produced unchanged since its introduction.

technology

With a diaphragm diameter of 27 mm, the MD 421 is one of the relatively rare dynamic large-diaphragm microphones. Its frequency response (30-17,000 Hz, ± 3 dB) exceeded the former hi-fi standard and moved it to the top of dynamic directional microphones and, in this respect, close to capacitive converters (condenser microphones). What was new was the compact structure of the transducer system, in which the sound entry openings in the wall of the handle ("variable D system") that were customary up to that point could be omitted. Microphones of this type could only be held in the hand to a limited extent without the directional effect deteriorating and sound discoloration occurring. The MD 421 offered the closed plastic grip and the detached metal basket that protected the converter system for reporting purposes.

Another special technical feature of the MD 421 is the hum compensation coil: It is wired in phase opposition to the coil of the converter system. Low-frequency interference fields (e.g. from non-magnetically shielded power transformers) are suppressed.

All MD 421s with Kleintuchel- or XLR plugs have a knurled plastic ring between the handle and the connector, with which an adjustable inductive high-pass filter (roll-off filter) can be operated, which in the "S" (speech) position dampens the transmission of low frequencies and is ineffective in position "M" (music). The intermediate positions of this filter have been provided with a ratchet mechanism and markings since the 1970s. Contrary to popular belief, the M / S switch is not a "mono / stereo" switch.

history

MD 421 at drum approval

Like the Sennheiser MD 21 model with spherical directional characteristic, which was first produced in 1954 , the MD 421 was advertised by the manufacturer as a studio microphone (catalog “Sennheiser-Revue 1968” ff.) Both microphones are still in the manufacturer's range. The successor types MD 22-U and 422-U, which were produced at times, could not establish themselves on the market.

Since its introduction in 1960, the MD 421 has established itself in almost all areas of professional sound technology , especially radio and television transmission technology as well as public address technology (PA). In addition to its sonic advantages, the microphone also achieved success thanks to the “music / speech filter” mentioned above. This high-pass filter has proven itself both when used as a vocal microphone (suppression of the close-up talk effect ) and when it is broadcast and recorded outside with Uher report and Nagra III tape recorders that did not have any impact sound filter . Handling noises and low-frequency street noise were effectively reduced.

US writer Truman Capote is interviewed with MD 421 in 1968
Franz-Josef Strauss giving a speech in 1972 with MD 421

The characteristic, angular shape of the MD 421 was part of the appearance of countless press conferences, political speeches and television reports until the 1990s.

Helmut Schmidt 1976 with MD 421

The microphone is still popular with amateur bands and home recording. Professionally, it is still used by journalists and in the production of all musical genres. The MD 421 is mainly used for drums, guitar amplifiers, wood, brass and percussion instruments. It is known for its almost linear frequency response in the bass range up to 1 kHz.

As a dynamic microphone, it has poorer impulse behavior and poorer resolution in higher frequencies compared to condenser microphones and is therefore less suitable as the main microphone in an orchestra or overhead with drums.

In 1971 Sennheiser introduced another dynamic microphone classic with the Sennheiser MD 441 .

equipment

In addition to a table base, wind protection devices made of nylon (Rycote) and later foam, the accessories include a tripod holder and temporarily a quick-change clamp.

Due to its unusual shape, the MD 421 cannot be attached with a standard tripod clamp. The MD 421 includes a plug-in tripod holder. This is pushed into a groove on the underside of the microphone and mechanically locked. For the use of the MD 421 as a vocal microphone, there was temporarily a so-called quick-change clamp with a groove for the tripod holder.

Trivia

In 1966 Udo Juergens won the Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson (today the European Song Contest) with the title Merci Chérie . He sang into an MD 421.

1971 421 microphones were almost all with MD The Concert for Bangladesh by George Harrison added. It can also be seen as a vocal microphone in a live concert by the Beachboys (UNICEF concert) in 1967.

Versions

The microphone was produced in different variants:

  • MD 421-2 with light gray / silver-colored housing and symmetrically wired, 3-pin screwable plug according to DIN 41624 (Großtuchel)
  • MD 421-N with light gray / silver-colored housing, 5-step rotary switch for stepped bass reduction and symmetrically wired 3-pin screwable plug according to DIN 41524 (small cloth)
  • MD 421de Luxe with black housing, gold-colored sound, technically like MD 421-N with 5-step rotary switch for stepped bass reduction and symmetrically wired, 3-pin screwable plug according to DIN 41524 (small cloth)
  • MD 421-HL with light gray / silver-colored housing and symmetrically / asymmetrically wired plug according to DIN 41524 (Kleintuchel) and transformer for optional high-impedance connection to amateur tape recorders etc. Ä.
  • The MD 421-U and the currently produced MD 421 II are virtually identical: black housing and symmetrical. wired XLR connector. The versions 421 U4 and U5 differ in the thread on the (removable) tripod connection. Version U4 has an interchangeable thread, while U5 has a thread with a fixed 3/8 "dimension.
  • MD 521 "Blackfire": black housing and symmetrically wired XLR connector, but without the 5-step bass cut switch. With the Blackfire series in the 1980s, Sennheiser wanted to make the "classics" MD 421, MD 441, MD 431 and MD 409 more attractive for the musician market in partially technically stripped-down versions.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Sennheiser MD 421 test :: bonedo.de. Retrieved April 19, 2020 .