Sennheiser has announced the launch of the MD 421 Kompakt, a new dynamic cardioid microphone for live and recording applications that’s designed to provide the same performance as its predecessor in a multipurpose package that includes a re-designed mounting clip.
“The MD 421 is an incredibly versatile microphone,” says Bertram Zimmermann, manager live sound and studio for Sennheiser. “Since its inception in 1960, it excelled as a studio and a vocal microphone, but was also used a lot in broadcasting, where it appeared with many celebrities of the time. Today, its successor, the MD 421-II, which launched in 1998, is an all-rounder for multipurpose miking and well known to be used on drums, guitar cabs and horns. It works on anything, capturing the sound source with precision, detail, and rich sound.”
“With the MD 421 Kompakt, we’re offering the same legendary sound and ability to handle high sound pressure levels, but with an incredibly compact form factor,” adds Jimmy Landry, category marketing manager MI.
To help give the MD 421 microphone its compact dimensions while retaining the large-diaphragm capsule and sonic quality of the much larger MD 421-II, the bass roll-off switch was eliminated. “While this feature made total sense when the MD 421 was designed, and was carried over to the MD 421-II, this functionality has long since been taken over by mixing desks and DAWs,” says Zimmermann. “Omitting the switch allowed us to create a relatively small microphone body, making the Kompakt an ideal tom mic, but also a versatile tool for any recording or live application.”
The new microphone has a stated frequency response of 30 Hz to 17 kHz, with a bass tube designed to help ensure an accurate and extended low-end response. The MD 421 Kompakt is also designed to offer effective feedback rejection and is stated to be able to handle high sound pressure levels.
New clip
The clip of the MD 421 Kompakt has been re-designed and is now part of the microphone housing for easier mounting. “The clip is the one thing that users have always criticized,” says Landry. “The new clip is an integral part of the mic, and the optional drum clamp securely screws into this clip, ensuring fail-safe mounting on drums.”
The drum version of the MD 421 Kompakt comes with a drum clamp that screws into the redesigned mic clip as a fail-safe mechanism. The mic has a rugged frame with a stainless-steel basket and a gold-plated XLR-3 connector. A protective inner chassis enclosure reduces exposure to dust and humidity.
The new MD 421 Kompakt is available now for EUR 279 (MSRP), the version for drums comes complete with an MZH drum clamp and retails at EUR 299 (MSRP). The MZH drum clamp included with the drum version is also available separately for EUR 19 (MSRP). The MD 421-II will remain in the portfolio alongside the MD 421 Kompakt.
