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Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 9 stores. Prices updated .
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $389
High-end/Boutique
$75
$201+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Sennheiser MD 421-II". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Sennheiser MD 421-II is an industry-standard dynamic microphone, renowned for its versatility and robust performance. It's the sonic Swiss Army knife that has earned a place in studios and stages worldwide. Whether you're recording thunderous toms, growling guitars, or velvety vocals, this microphone delivers exceptional sound quality.
The MD 421-II stands out for its ability to handle high sound pressure levels, making it an ideal choice for recording potent instruments. Its full-bodied cardioid pattern and five-position bass roll-off control allow for precise adjustments, ensuring the best possible sound capture.
The microphone's durability is a testament to Sennheiser's commitment to exacting standards. Its solid metal construction and shock-mounted capsule deliver outstanding mechanical noise rejection. The MD 421-II proves itself as a reliable partner capable of withstanding rigorous studio and live work.
This microphone is not just about ruggedness; it exhibits a redesigned capsule for better high-end clarity and definition. With improved sensitivity and frequency response, the MD 421-II captures every sonic detail across the entire audible spectrum. Experience the legendary sound quality and versatility of the Sennheiser MD 421-II, a true studio workhorse.
Key Features:
- Large-diaphragm dynamic microphone
- Full-bodied cardioid pickup pattern
- Ability to handle high sound pressure levels
- Five-position bass roll-off control
- Solid metal construction and shock-mounted capsule
- Redesigned capsule for better high-end clarity and definition
- Improved sensitivity and frequency response
- Includes a stand clamp and carrying case
- Frequency response: 30Hz–17kHz
- Effective feedback rejection
- Clear sound reproduction
Owner's manual
Sennheiser MD 421-II User ManualProduct specs
| Microphone Type | Dynamic |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz-17kHz |
| Output Impedance | 200 ohms |
| Connector | XLR |
| Weight | 0.85 lbs. |
| Included Accessories | Mic clip |
FAQs
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What are the primary applications for the Sennheiser MD 421-II microphone?
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The Sennheiser MD 421-II is ideal for recording high sound pressure level sources like electric guitars and drums, as well as group vocals and radio broadcast applications, thanks to its large diaphragm and cardioid pattern.
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Does the Sennheiser MD 421-II require phantom power?
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No, the Sennheiser MD 421-II is a dynamic microphone and does not require phantom power or batteries to operate.
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What is the polar pattern of the Sennheiser MD 421-II and what does it mean for recording?
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The Sennheiser MD 421-II features a cardioid polar pattern, which means it primarily picks up sound from the front and minimizes pickup from the sides and rear, making it suitable for isolating sound sources in a recording environment.
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How does the Sennheiser MD 421-II handle different frequencies?
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The Sennheiser MD 421-II has a frequency response of 30Hz to 17kHz, providing a full-bodied sound that captures both low and high frequencies effectively, making it versatile for various recording applications.
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What type of connector does the Sennheiser MD 421-II use?
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The Sennheiser MD 421-II uses a standard XLR connector, ensuring compatibility with most professional audio equipment and recording setups.
Videos
Podcastage
Sennheiser MD421 II Dynamic Mic Review / Test
Sennheiser MD421 II Dynamic Mic Review / Test
Podcastage
VK Shootout: Sennheiser MD 421 II vs MD 441-U
Vintage King
Sennheiser MD 421 II Dynamic Microphone | Reverb Demo Video
Reverb
MD 421-II – Diamonds I Sennheiser
Sennheiser
Shure Beta 56 vs Sennheiser MD421 II on toms. Industry standard dynamic drum microphones comparison.
SIC MIC
Sennheiser MD 421 II vs Shure SM57 - Dynamic Mics Shootout on Bass - Want 2 Check
Want 2 Check
Sennheiser MD 421 II vs Shure SM57 - Dynamic Mics Shootout on Upright Bass - Want 2 Check
Want 2 Check
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent for recording high SPL instruments like drums and guitar cabs
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Provides warm, rich sound quality across various instruments
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Durable and reliable for both studio and live sound environments
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Recognized as the "industry standard" for tom microphones
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Versatile, handling everything from vocals to electric guitars with clarity
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Features a 5-point bass roll-off switch for sound customization
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Exceptional performance without needing phantom power
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Favored for its ability to produce clear sound reproduction on loud sources
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Works well in combination with other microphones for blended sound capture
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Maintains sound integrity even at close range with loud instruments
CONS
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Notoriously unreliable microphone clip design
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Some find it awkward and heavy compared to other mics
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Price may be considered high for some budgets
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Shock-mount does not lock properly, posing risk to the microphone
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sennheiser MD 421-II.
Build quality
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The mic clip design is criticized for being unreliable, often causing the microphone to fall when adjusted.
Source -
The Mk2 version of the MD 421 is noted for having more plastic and less metal compared to earlier versions, potentially affecting its tonal characteristics with a mid-forward push.
Source
Use cases and applications
Features and functionality
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The version II has a noticeable spike at 4.5kHz, making it sound harsher compared to older versions like the U5.
Source
User experience
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The placement of the microphone is crucial, with some users highlighting the need for heavy EQ adjustments to achieve desired sound.
Source -
Some users express a preference for the MD 421 on high toms, but hesitate to invest in it solely for that purpose, indicating its niche appeal in specific applications.
Source
Comparisons
5.0 out of 5
Based on 6 Reviews and 57 Ratings
1509
181
have 2 of them
Love it on everything with fast transients. Interesting for blending with a condenser mics on vocals. classic for guitar cabs
243
Fantastic all around mike!
This is a real gem. It has warmth and has the edge. We use it a lot in our recordings for guitars and toms. Vintage white version is great on cabinets while we found black version slightly better for toms and more low end.
800
Classic all round mic
Classic mic with some bad design faults but with a really good all round sound. I use it for all kinds of recording
41029
I think I am the only person who avoids this mic like the plague, I just hate it! even on tis traditional use as a rack tom mic
800
I know a guy in germany that feels the same way about it
71
Vintage microphone used in studio for vocals.
Great for vocals and drums and owning two of them.
Artist usage
Add artist
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Brian May uses the Sennheiser MD 421-II microphone, as highlighted in his Instagram post during the "Rhapsody Tour," where he mentions preparing to make some noise with his gear.
In this article, Kevin talks about how he used MD421's to record guitar tracks.
Yeah, only condensers and a lot of them were valve. And then the second half of it was all, just anything again. 'Cause we'd usually have like three or four mics on the cabinet or amp and there'd be, like, usually a 57, the [Sennheiser] 421. I decided that I didn't like 57s but I liked them [421s] because there was less of a frequency spike in them.
In the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge performance of "Roxanne" by Royal Blood, Mike Kerr uses a Sennheiser MD 421-II microphone. At 0:38, it is visibly positioned alongside an AT4060, likely to capture additional mids and highs from the speaker.
This rig diagram from 2003 shows this mic used in front of the cabinets.
Mix engineer Tommaso Colliva on recording Drones : “The mics on the bass cabs were a Neumann FET 47 with a [Shure] SM57, Beyerdynamic M88 or Electro–Voice RE20 on the clean amp, and the same on the distorted amps, but we also tried the Shure SM57 or Sennheiser 421 on the latter.”
Geddy Lee uses the Sennheiser MD 421-II microphone, as confirmed by Richard Chycki in the recording of Rush's 'Caravan'. Chycki stated, "The fourth and last channel is what we call the ‘stun channel’. This is an Orange AD200 MKIII 200‑Watt bass head that’s cranked to the hilt and going through an 8x10 cabinet. This is miked up with a Sennheiser 421, through a Neve 1073 and into the other side of the Fairchild 670." This information was provided by Sound On Sound.
"GC: What's your mic-ing set-up? Do you use one mic?
Mascis: [Producer] John Agnello used a Shure SM57, Sennheiser MD-421 and a Shure SM87 on one track, just bound together. They're all close, all right on line."
An MD-421 was also used during the recording of Dinosaur Jr's Farm, as seen in this episode of Pitchfork's In The Studio.
used to mic up amp on self titled album. source from sylvia massy's (System of a Down producer) official website: http://www.sylviamassy.com/how-to/
At 0:08, you see this on his drum kit as tom mics.
At 5:44, Stu refers to this mic as a "Slippery Fish" because of it's shape and how it can fall out of your hands easily. The mic in the video is wrapped in tape to keep a better grip.
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"In 1971 George Harrison and Ravi Shankar held their famous Concert for Bangladesh at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The stage was positively bristling with MD421s, including all of the stars’ lead vocal mics (Eric Clapton, Ringo Star, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell and Billy Preston) Check out the video." -Martin Mitchell's Microphones.
"In 1971 George Harrison and Ravi Shankar held their famous Concert for Bangladesh at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The stage was positively bristling with MD421s, including all of the stars’ lead vocal mics (Eric Clapton, Ringo Star, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell and Billy Preston) Check out the video." -Martin Mitchell's Microphones.
Album Usage
The Sennheiser MD 421-II has been featured on the following albums:
Getting Killed
Geese (2025)
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Whitney Houston & Calum Scott (2025)
Hourglass
Antibalas (2025)
Viva la Vida
Jonny Buckland & Chris Martin & Guy Berryman & Will Champion (2025)
![Sennheiser MD 421-II as heard on Atlantic City (Live in Jersey) [feat. Bruce Springsteen and Kings of Leon] by Kings of Leon & Zach Bryan (2025)](https://images.equipboard.com/uploads/album/image/586/atlantic-city-live-in-jersey-feat-bruce-springsteen-and-kings-of-leon.jpg)
Atlantic City (Live in Jersey) [feat. Bruce Springsteen and Kings of Leon]
Kings of Leon & Zach Bryan (2025)
Heaven :x: Hell
Sum 41 (2024)
Norm
Andy Shauf (2023)
Every Breath You Take
Stewart Copeland & Stewart Copeland (2023)
Bound to Rise
Chris Brain (2022)
Persona Non Grata
Exodus (2021)
Order In Decline
Sum 41 (2019)
Dos en Uno
Steve Jordan (2017)
13 Voices
Sum 41 (2016)
Drones
Muse (2015)
Spotify Sessions
Young the Giant (2014)
Talking Dreams
Echosmith (2013)
Random Access Memories
Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2013)
Clockwork Angels
Rush (2012)
Screaming Bloody Murder
Sum 41 (2011)
Caravan
Rush (2010)
Sex On Fire
Kings of Leon (2009)
Graffiti Soul (Deluxe Edition)
Simple Minds (2009)
Farm
Dinosaur Jr (2009)
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon (2008)
Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Coldplay (2008)
Underclass Hero
Sum 41 (2007)
The Concert for Bangladesh
George Harrison (2005)
Lullabies To Paralyze
Queens of the Stone Age (2005)
Chuck
Sum 41 (2004)
Helvete
Nasum (2003)
The Odyssey
Symphony X (2002)
Mule Variations (Remastered)
Tom Waits (1999)
System Of A Down
System of a Down (1998)
Linger
The Cranberries (1993)
Bone Machine (2023 Remaster)
Tom Waits (1992)
Nevermind
Nirvana (1991)
Who Are You
The Who (1978)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sennheiser MD 421-II, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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