I have seen the 421 in every studio I have worked in and have yet to figure out what the S and the M labels on the 421's 5 position switch mean. I checked out Sennheiser's website and all they say is that it is a 5 position bass roll off. I've also seen this same switch on the 441. I have been told that it means speech and musical but with out certainty. Does anyone have a clue what each position does and what the S and the M refer to?
Sennheiser 421 -- S&M?
- Thread starter Tizzo
- Start date
paddyponchero
New member
Speech and Music or probably Sprach und Musik
basically a roll off @ 500Hz for Speech
basically a roll off @ 500Hz for Speech
)Harvey Gerst
New member
Harvey Gerst
New member
A few words about the MD421 and Proximity effect
You hafta remember that the MD421 was first introduced as a vocal mic. It, like many other unidirectional mics, is subject to proximity effect as the person moves closer to the mic. In simple terms, you get bass buildup as you get closer. The roll off compensates for speakers at various distances from the mic.
If you take those roll off curves and invert them (put them above the flat "M" line), that's how much bass is being added at various distances from the mic. For miking guitars, bass, and drums, the added bass boost is welcome. For singers, it may be too much bass boost when they get in really close, hence the rolloff switch.
You hafta remember that the MD421 was first introduced as a vocal mic. It, like many other unidirectional mics, is subject to proximity effect as the person moves closer to the mic. In simple terms, you get bass buildup as you get closer. The roll off compensates for speakers at various distances from the mic.
If you take those roll off curves and invert them (put them above the flat "M" line), that's how much bass is being added at various distances from the mic. For miking guitars, bass, and drums, the added bass boost is welcome. For singers, it may be too much bass boost when they get in really close, hence the rolloff switch.
