Sennheiser MD421 series?

J

jarick

New member
So I'm looking for a Sennheiser MD421 for use on floor toms, guitar cabs, bass cabs, etc. but I have no idea what the difference between the series (MK-II, U4, U5, etc.) stand for. Couldn't find a thread or website with pertinent information, so do you guys have any idea?

- Jarick
 
Here's a post from Audiogaff which can be found at RO:

Greg Beebe at Sennheiser wrote a while ago in response to this question. He said:

"There are four significant differences between the MD421-U and MD421 II.

Easier positioning:
-The metal inner chassis has better distribution of weight.
-The bass roll-off is contour fitted to the housing making the mic
shorter and more "stylish"

More durable:
-Housing is made of polyacetals: a glass composite
-Basket is hardened stainless steel

More immune to the elements:
-The acoustic components are enclosed in the inner chassis making he
mic less sensitive to dusts and humidity.

Easier Servicing:
-Individual components can easily be replaced
-Self-sealing acoustic connections: no adhesive or sealing compounds

The MD421 II does sound different. It has improved transparency,
thus a more natural sound. We changed it because of improved technologies.
New materials and production techniques which enable us to manufacture at
eve closer tolerance.

Coincidentally, this was not the first time we changed the MD421. We are
constantly striving to improve our products. Over the years, the MD421 has
seen upgrades in the housing, output connector, basket and capsule
assembly.

In my personal opinion, the MD421 II has been accepted, for the most part,
as the replacement for the original. However, as you know, there are die
hards who swear by the original. Interesting enough, the biggest complaint
on the original was the clip. I've not receive one complaint about the
clip since the redesign. I attribute this to the mic being more balanced.
Now the clip pivots on the mic's fulcrum point."

--------------------
- AudioGaff -

http://www.recording.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=002387
 
Han said:
Here's a post from Audiogaff which can be found at RO:

Greg Beebe at Sennheiser wrote a while ago in response to this question. He said:

"There are four significant differences between the MD421-U and MD421 II.

Easier positioning:
-The metal inner chassis has better distribution of weight.
-The bass roll-off is contour fitted to the housing making the mic
shorter and more "stylish"

More durable:
-Housing is made of polyacetals: a glass composite
-Basket is hardened stainless steel

More immune to the elements:
-The acoustic components are enclosed in the inner chassis making he
mic less sensitive to dusts and humidity.

Easier Servicing:
-Individual components can easily be replaced
-Self-sealing acoustic connections: no adhesive or sealing compounds

The MD421 II does sound different. It has improved transparency,
thus a more natural sound. We changed it because of improved technologies.
New materials and production techniques which enable us to manufacture at
eve closer tolerance.

Coincidentally, this was not the first time we changed the MD421. We are
constantly striving to improve our products. Over the years, the MD421 has
seen upgrades in the housing, output connector, basket and capsule
assembly.

In my personal opinion, the MD421 II has been accepted, for the most part,
as the replacement for the original. However, as you know, there are die
hards who swear by the original. Interesting enough, the biggest complaint
on the original was the clip. I've not receive one complaint about the
clip since the redesign. I attribute this to the mic being more balanced.
Now the clip pivots on the mic's fulcrum point."

--------------------
- AudioGaff -

http://www.recording.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=002387
Click to expand...
Wow, that's a good post... thanks Han. :)

But...
freshmattyp said:
Bottom line for me is Harvey has hard earned credibility. DJL has none. No one has any idea of what DJL has done. Not a clue. There's no web link, no posted work, no real name, nada, bupkus. DJL, you are just an opinionated asshole with no credibilty to back up anything you say. Your 3000+ posts of nonsense speak volumes about your "experience". Your lack of even basic conversational skills or the ability to form a coherent thought continue to amaze me. I have met some flaky bass players in my day, but you take the prize. Congratulations. And for God's sake, learn the difference between your and you're and their, there and they're. Repeat the 4th grade if necessary.

Oh, yeah, it's "damn" you moron. You can't even cuss right.
Click to expand...
So don't expect too much.
 
Yeah and BTW, the 421 mkII (the black one) has an aluminium coil, where the old (grey) 421 has a copper coil.

That's why the mkII sounds brighter.
 
DJL said:
Originally posted by Han
Here's a post from Audiogaff which can be found at RO:

Greg Beebe at Sennheiser wrote a while ago in response to this question. He said:

"There are four significant differences between the MD421-U and MD421 II.

Easier positioning:
-The metal inner chassis has better distribution of weight.
-The bass roll-off is contour fitted to the housing making the mic
shorter and more "stylish"

More durable:
-Housing is made of polyacetals: a glass composite
-Basket is hardened stainless steel

More immune to the elements:
-The acoustic components are enclosed in the inner chassis making he
mic less sensitive to dusts and humidity.

Easier Servicing:
-Individual components can easily be replaced
-Self-sealing acoustic connections: no adhesive or sealing compounds

The MD421 II does sound different. It has improved transparency,
thus a more natural sound. We changed it because of improved technologies.
New materials and production techniques which enable us to manufacture at
eve closer tolerance.

Coincidentally, this was not the first time we changed the MD421. We are
constantly striving to improve our products. Over the years, the MD421 has
seen upgrades in the housing, output connector, basket and capsule
assembly.

In my personal opinion, the MD421 II has been accepted, for the most part,
as the replacement for the original. However, as you know, there are die
hards who swear by the original. Interesting enough, the biggest complaint
on the original was the clip. I've not receive one complaint about the
clip since the redesign. I attribute this to the mic being more balanced.
Now the clip pivots on the mic's fulcrum point."

--------------------
- AudioGaff -

http://www.recording.org/ubb/ultima...ic;f=7;t=002387
Wow, that's a good post... thanks Han.

But...
Click to expand...

Originally posted by freshmattyp
Bottom line for me is Harvey has hard earned credibility. DJL has none. No one has any idea of what DJL has done. Not a clue. There's no web link, no posted work, no real name, nada, bupkus. DJL, you are just an opinionated asshole with no credibilty to back up anything you say. Your 3000+ posts of nonsense speak volumes about your "experience". Your lack of even basic conversational skills or the ability to form a coherent thought continue to amaze me. I have met some flaky bass players in my day, but you take the prize. Congratulations. And for God's sake, learn the difference between your and you're and their, there and they're. Repeat the 4th grade if necessary.

Oh, yeah, it's "damn" you moron. You can't even cuss right.
So don't expect too much.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's a good post... thanks Han. :)

Wow, that's a great post... thanks for reposting it DJL. :)
 
Harvey Gerst said:

Originally posted by freshmattyp
Bottom line for me is Harvey has hard earned credibility. DJL has none. No one has any idea of what DJL has done. Not a clue. There's no web link, no posted work, no real name, nada, bupkus. DJL, you are just an opinionated asshole with no credibilty to back up anything you say. Your 3000+ posts of nonsense speak volumes about your "experience". Your lack of even basic conversational skills or the ability to form a coherent thought continue to amaze me. I have met some flaky bass players in my day, but you take the prize. Congratulations. And for God's sake, learn the difference between your and you're and their, there and they're. Repeat the 4th grade if necessary.

Oh, yeah, it's "damn" you moron. You can't even cuss right.
So don't expect too much.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's a good post... thanks Han. :)

Wow, that's a great post... thanks for reposting it DJL. :) [/QUOTE]

I think so too... and thank you too. :)

But...
freshmattyp said:
Bottom line for me is Harvey has hard earned credibility. DJL has none. No one has any idea of what DJL has done. Not a clue. There's no web link, no posted work, no real name, nada, bupkus. DJL, you are just an opinionated asshole with no credibilty to back up anything you say. Your 3000+ posts of nonsense speak volumes about your "experience". Your lack of even basic conversational skills or the ability to form a coherent thought continue to amaze me. I have met some flaky bass players in my day, but you take the prize. Congratulations. And for God's sake, learn the difference between your and you're and their, there and they're. Repeat the 4th grade if necessary.

Oh, yeah, it's "damn" you moron. You can't even cuss right.
Click to expand...
So don't expect too much.
 
DJL said:
Wow, that's a good post... thanks Han. :)

Wow, that's a great post... thanks for reposting it DJL. :)
Click to expand...

I think so too... and thank you too. :)

But DJL you forgot the most important part of the message (an oversight, I'm sure). But don't worry, I saved it for you:
DJL said:
Originally posted by Han
Here's a post from Audiogaff which can be found at RO:

Greg Beebe at Sennheiser wrote a while ago in response to this question. He said:

"There are four significant differences between the MD421-U and MD421 II.

Easier positioning:
-The metal inner chassis has better distribution of weight.
-The bass roll-off is contour fitted to the housing making the mic
shorter and more "stylish"

More durable:
-Housing is made of polyacetals: a glass composite
-Basket is hardened stainless steel

More immune to the elements:
-The acoustic components are enclosed in the inner chassis making he
mic less sensitive to dusts and humidity.

Easier Servicing:
-Individual components can easily be replaced
-Self-sealing acoustic connections: no adhesive or sealing compounds

The MD421 II does sound different. It has improved transparency,
thus a more natural sound. We changed it because of improved technologies.
New materials and production techniques which enable us to manufacture at
eve closer tolerance.

Coincidentally, this was not the first time we changed the MD421. We are
constantly striving to improve our products. Over the years, the MD421 has
seen upgrades in the housing, output connector, basket and capsule
assembly.

In my personal opinion, the MD421 II has been accepted, for the most part,
as the replacement for the original. However, as you know, there are die
hards who swear by the original. Interesting enough, the biggest complaint
on the original was the clip. I've not receive one complaint about the
clip since the redesign. I attribute this to the mic being more balanced.
Now the clip pivots on the mic's fulcrum point."

--------------------
- AudioGaff -

http://www.recording.org/ubb/ultima...ic;f=7;t=002387
Wow, that's a good post... thanks Han.

But...
Click to expand...

Originally posted by freshmattyp
Bottom line for me is Harvey has hard earned credibility. DJL has none. No one has any idea of what DJL has done. Not a clue. There's no web link, no posted work, no real name, nada, bupkus. DJL, you are just an opinionated asshole with no credibilty to back up anything you say. Your 3000+ posts of nonsense speak volumes about your "experience". Your lack of even basic conversational skills or the ability to form a coherent thought continue to amaze me. I have met some flaky bass players in my day, but you take the prize. Congratulations. And for God's sake, learn the difference between your and you're and their, there and they're. Repeat the 4th grade if necessary.

Oh, yeah, it's "damn" you moron. You can't even cuss right.
So don't expect too much.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's a good post... thanks Han. :)

Wow, that's a great post... thanks for reposting it DJL. :)
 
Thanks guys for your information, that's incredibly helpful!

So there's for sure a difference between the MKII and first one, is there any difference between the U4 and U5 business?

Thanks again,

jarick
 
Yep, I have six of them, the old ones and the MKII's and the MKII's sound significantly brighter.

I don't know about the U4-U5 thing, but I'm sure DJL knows.:D
 
If it's going to be used for a variety of singers, avoid the MKII.

By doing a google search, look up Ty Ford's website.
He did an extensive review of both models on it.

Sice the review, he has posted that the MKII even makes him
sound sibilant, and that he prefers the 421 "sound" generally
going to analog over digital recording (smoother).

Get the Sennheiser shockmounted mic clip whichever one you
select, it's much better than the stock clip type.

Unless you find the old "screw-on" metal one from many years ago.

My understanding is the change in manufacturing process was due to cutting costs in making 421's. Sennheiser was unable to produce a reasonably close 441 so they left it alone.

Chris "MD421 die hard"
 
Han said:
Yep, I have six of them, the old ones and the MKII's and the MKII's sound significantly brighter.

I don't know about the U4-U5 thing, but I'm sure DJL knows.:D
Click to expand...
The U refers to the type of mic connector supplied with the mic. I think the -U4 refers to a standard 3-pin Canon XLR connector, while the -U5 refers to a European Tuchel connector.
 
Harvey, if memory serves me well the U stands for XLR and the N for DIN connectors.

The U4 and U5 is a questionmark for me, but I have some Sennheiser books somewhere, where the Tuchel can be found.

It may be unimportant though because I'm sure it has only to do with the connector.
 
md 421-n: tuchel connector. I'm not sure if this only ivory colored 421.

md 421-u5: 5 position bass rolloff switch. Black. A lot of dipshits think the 421 sucks based on this common mic because the dipshits don't realize there is a bass rolloff toggle on the mic.

md421-u: same as the u-5 with the cord connector rebuilt.

md421 u4: no bass rolloff, grey.

I think this nubs compliation of the 421 is fairly accurate but I am getting old and senile so no guarantees. I have several u5's at the studio and use them somewhat frequently. This old stubborn bastard still has not gotten around to listening to an MKII.
 
Jarick, I'd guess you'd probably be happy with any of them. I only have one so far, and it's a U-5. I've never used the bass rolloff, though. I use mine for toms, guitar cab, vox, nothing suprising. Hope you find good deal on one. I sleep with mine on occasion. It has replaced my Walther P-38.
 
The MD421 MKII is just like the old 421 a great microphone, it sounds a bit more bright, but I prefer the MKII for kick and bass amp over the MKI.
 
sweetnubs said:
md 421-n: tuchel connector. I'm not sure if this only ivory colored 421.

md 421-u5: 5 position bass rolloff switch. Black. A lot of dipshits think the 421 sucks based on this common mic because the dipshits don't realize there is a bass rolloff toggle on the mic.

md421-u: same as the u-5 with the cord connector rebuilt.

md421 u4: no bass rolloff, grey.

I think this nubs compliation of the 421 is fairly accurate but I am getting old and senile so no guarantees. I have several u5's at the studio and use them somewhat frequently. This old stubborn bastard still has not gotten around to listening to an MKII.
Click to expand...
Very strange. Here's a picture of one of my old 421's. Note the label says it's an "MD 421-U-4". It's black and has the 5 position bass rolloff:
 

Attachments

  • 421-u-4.gif
    421-u-4.gif
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weird. hmmmm. Is it five positions? I'll do some more digging around because the great sweetnubs should know his md421 history better. I remember researching this years ago but my memory fades . . .
 
sweetnubs said:
weird. hmmmm. Is it five positions? I'll do some more digging around because the great sweetnubs should know his md421 history better. I remember researching this years ago but my memory fades . . .
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's five position, and I should know this stuff too. It's hell getting old.:(
 
I got the original box and manual with my 421 and I remember it listing the differences in the N and U4 and U5....I'll have to look when I get home, but i think it's something to do with the "DIN configuration" ...I know they are both XLR, but something changed.....this may be way off, but it's what i remember....ill post when I get home.

Dr Hapsburg
 
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