Sennheiser MD 421 KOMPAKT
Product information "Sennheiser MD 421 KOMPAKT"
A microphone for generations
If you’ve listened to music, you’ve heard the MD 421 – the legendary Sennheiser microphone has been part of countless live shows and award-winning recordings over the past five decades. The MD 421 Kompakt continues that legacy – combining the best of the MD 421 and MD 421-II in a space-saving housing that makes the Kompakt a true all-rounder. Like its larger siblings, the MD 421 Kompakt delivers impressive dynamics and crystal-clear reproduction on stage and in the studio.
Full, detailed sound
The MD 421 Kompakt contains plenty of German engineering and decades of microphone-building experience. With exceptional audio quality it captures every nuance, every detail, every emotion – at any volume and with remarkable transparency. Whether you’re recording complex vocals, overdriven guitar amps, drums or the subtle details of other instruments: the MD 421 Kompakt reproduces every sound with outstanding precision – in the studio and on stage.
True-to-source instrument capture
Like no other mic, the MD 421 Kompakt reproduces your instrument directly, without colouring the sound. With its cardioid polar pattern and wide frequency response its sound remains pure and clear; it captures your instrument precisely while offering excellent feedback rejection and diffuse-field attenuation. An internal bass tube in the microphone housing also provides incredibly precise, extended low-frequency reproduction, resulting in a rich, balanced sound with high transparency.
Versatile and roadworthy
The MD 421 Kompakt adapts effortlessly to any studio or stage situation. Lightweight, compact, robust and built to withstand the rigours of professional use. Everything is designed for reliability: durable components and an internal protective housing that reduces exposure to dust and moisture. Whether on tour or in the studio: you can rely on the longevity and dependability of the MD 421 Kompakt.
Newly developed stand mount
Not only is the MD 421 Kompakt’s housing new, its stand mount is now an integral part of the microphone. This lets you attach it securely to any stand or combine it with the optional MZH drum clamp – for secure mounting on the drum kit.
Whether on a tom, on a stand in front of a guitar amp or on other instruments: the sturdy MD 421 Kompakt stays firmly in position and delivers transparent sound. Like its larger siblings, the MD 421 Kompakt is a must-have in every touring case.
Everything. This microphone was made for that.
The legendary MD 421 has been used on practically every instrument – now the MD 421 Kompakt is ready to do the same. From world-famous studios to the biggest stages on the planet, the Sennheiser MD 421 is one of the best-known musician and pro-audio microphones. Professionals worldwide trust its exceptional audio quality, versatility and absolute reliability.
- The legendary performance of the MD 421, handling exceptionally high sound pressure levels in demanding environments
- Delivers incredibly transparent sound reproduction and enables pristine audio recordings with remarkable detail
- The compact, versatile size offers more flexibility for recording and live situations
- The redesigned mounting clip is securely attached to the microphone and enables simple, reliable fastening for any application
- Robust German engineering that withstands the strains of touring and intensive studio use, ensuring consistent performance
- Effective feedback suppression helps keep the focus on the audio source for crystal-clear sound
- Durable housing with stainless-steel grille and gold-plated XLR connectors for ruggedness and longevity
- The optional MZH drum clamp screws into the MD 421 Kompakt’s mounting clip to provide a secure mechanism for drum microphone placement
- The innovative internal bass tube delivers precise, extended bass reproduction and reinforces a full, rich sound without compromising transparency
- Wide frequency response from 30 Hz to 17 kHz ensures faithful reproduction of low and high frequencies
- The protective internal housing reduces ingress of dust and moisture and provides consistent performance and long service life
- Color/ Finish: Black
- Connection Plug: 3-pin XLR
- Frequency range: 30 Hz - 17 kHz
- Impedance: 1000 Ohm
- Includes: 1x MD 421 KOMPAKT; 1x Beutel
- Instrument Choice: Drums / Percussion
- Pickup pattern: Cardioid
- Sensitivity: 2 mV/Pa
- Subcategory: Instrument Microphone
- Transducer principle: Dynamic
- Weight: 159 g
In the 1950s Sennheiser focused on the development of condenser microphone technology, which became widely used on film sets and in TV studios. A milestone was certainly the wireless microphone system developed together with NDR for professional TV use, which from 1958 was marketed together with Telefunken under the name "Mikroport".
In 1960 Sennheiser presented another highlight and introduced the dynamic microphone MD-421, which is still produced and sold today. Thanks to its versatile applications, the MD-421 is one of the best-known microphones in the world and helped establish Sennheiser early on as a leading manufacturer of professional audio equipment internationally.
The first open-back headphone in the world also comes from Sennheiser. It was called the HD-414 and remains one of the best-selling hi-fi headphones of all time.
In 1982 Fritz Sennheiser handed over management to his son Jörg, who continued to expand and internationalise the company.
Another masterstroke from Sennheiser was the HD-25 headphone in 1988. Originally conceived as a pure monitoring headphone, it was also used as a high-class inflight headphone on the Concorde passenger aircraft. From there the headphone virtually conquered the DJ scene at supersonic speed and is still regarded today as the most popular DJ headphone with legendary status.
Shortly before the turn of the millennium, the Evolution microphone series (abbreviated with an "e") was launched in 1998. A year later the wireless microphone variant followed as the Evolution Wireless series (ew). Both series are still produced today and are used by the biggest stars in the world (including Drake, DJ Bobo, Peter Maffay, Kate Tempest, Jessie Ware, Ed Sheeran and many more). The success of the microphone range was fittingly celebrated in 2018 with the campaign "20 Years Evolution".
Since 2013 the company has been run in the third generation by the grandchildren Daniel and Andreas Sennheiser as an innovative dual leadership. Today Sennheiser employs more than 2,800 people worldwide and is represented in over 50 countries. In addition to professional audio equipment, the company also offers headphones and loudspeakers for the consumer market. Sennheiser always places great value on the highest sound quality and innovative design.
In the following years Sennheiser steadily expanded its product portfolio with further wireless microphones, in-ear monitoring systems and conference technology. Practical developments currently culminate in the Evolution Wireless Digital (EW-D) or the mobile radio systems for filmmakers and video professionals from the Evolution Wireless Digital Portable (EW-DP) series.
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