Sennheiser MD 421-II Cardioid Dynamic Studio Microphone

Industry-Standard Studio Legend: Sennheiser MD 421-II

The Sennheiser MD 421-II continues the legendary legacy of the original MD 421—one of the most popular and versatile dynamic cardioid microphones ever crafted for recording, broadcasting, and high-energy stage performance.

Equipped with a large-diaphragm dynamic element capable of capturing intense sound pressure levels without distortion, the MD 421-II delivers full-bodied warmth, crisp high-end articulation, and exceptional off-axis feedback rejection. Available now in our Sennheiser pro audio store catalog, this studio workhorse remains indispensable for recording engineers and sound designers worldwide.

Key Features & Pro-Level Advantages

• 5-Position Selectable Bass Roll-Off Switch: Rotary contour control around the XLR base lets you seamlessly tailor low-frequency response from flat “Music” (M) to maximum roll-off “Speech” (S) to tame muddy proximity effect.
• Exceptional High SPL Handling: Effortlessly captures extreme transients from heavy drum tom hits, kick drums, high-wattage tube guitar cabs, and brass sections without overloading.
• Refined Cardioid Polar Pattern: Provides pronounced directivity and outstanding feedback rejection, isolating the intended acoustic source while minimizing bleed from adjacent instruments.
• Extended Frequency Response (30 Hz – 17 kHz): Delivers deep, punchy low-end extensions and transparent high-frequency air rarely matched by dynamic capsules.
• Rugged Glass-Composite Housing: Durable inner chassis enclosed in a reinforced glass-composite shell with a hardened stainless-steel grille for extreme long-term durability.
• Internal Hum-Compensating Design: Enclosed acoustic elements protect against dust, moisture, and electrical interference from broadcast transmission equipment.

Key Technical Specifications

• Device Type: Professional Studio & Stage Dynamic Microphone

• Transducer Principle: Dynamic (Pressure Gradient)

• Polar Pattern: Cardioid

• Frequency Response: 30 Hz – 17,000 Hz

• Bass Control Switch: 5-Position Rotary Switch (Music “M” to Speech “S”)

• Sensitivity (Free Field, No Load): 2.0 mV/Pa ± 2.5 dB at 1 kHz

• Nominal Impedance: 200 Ohms

• Min. Terminating Impedance: 200 Ohms

• Housing Material: Glass Composite Housing with Hardened Stainless Steel Basket

• Connector Type: 3-Pin XLR-M (Gold-Plated)

• Dimensions (L x W x H): 215 x 46 x 49 mm (8.46″ x 1.81″ x 1.93″)

• Weight: Approx. 385 g (13.58 oz)

• Color / Finish: Black / Matte Finish

Compatibility & System Integration

• Drums & Percussion Tracking: Considered the world’s go-to standard for rack toms, floor toms, snare drums, and kick drum transient punch.

• Guitar Cabinets & Brass: Excels on high-gain electric guitar speaker cabinets, bass cabs, trumpets, trombones, and saxophones.

• Radio Broadcast & Vocal Booths: Smooth vocal response with the 5-position filter set toward “S” eliminates low-end room rumble and boominess during speech recording.

• Preamps & Mixers: Standard 3-pin XLR male connector plugs directly into standard mic preamps, interfaces, or consoles (no phantom power required).

• Box Contents: 1x Sennheiser MD 421-II microphone, 1x MZA 421 dedicated microphone stand clamp, 1x quick setup manual.

• System Expansion: Explore matching Sennheiser drum microphones, broadcast headsets, and studio accessories on our dedicated Sennheiser Brand Store.