Been a fan since hearing Elton John sing through a 441 live in 1973. 421 sounds like a "nice mic"... 441 sounds like the source. Each has its place, but I'd buy the 441 before the 421.
441 sounded very muffled actually compared to the 421 II in this particular shootout. I know the 441 is SUPPOSED to be better but I was surprised actually that 421 was way warmer and more pleasing on its own....in the mix could be different though??
Vintage King, Question for you guys.❤️So the 421 is cardioid, so it has best rear rejection, and the 441 has super cardioid, so it has a little rear introduction. If the 441 is aimed with its back, down towards a carpet, would it be ok to use in a non-treated room ? I like the 441 sound for the vocals, and the 421 sounded electronically irritating to me. 0:50 for the 421, and 1:13 for the 441. This is where the 441 shines for vocals.
In your tests the 421 fared really well. I had both, kept the 441. I really like it's upper midrange. (there's a switch on it for a bass cut filter) It does need a good, open-sounding preamp, in my opinion. Found it pairs great with a DAV BG-1 and Telefunken V676a.
Regarding the bass boost on MD441-U observed by many here: MD441-U is a hypercardio mic, so proximity effect is more pronounced than on MD421 II (cardio) at same distance...
Great Job ! Did i hear that right , when the on the floor tom it sounded to my ears that the 441 blocked out more the rest of the drum set than the 421 !? and a little more low end to it too . Btw , my mother used to sing through that 441 in the 70's .
Really interesting comparison. The 421 has a really nice mic sound and the 441 sounds like there is no mic. My takeaway is 421 for flattery and 441 for realism.
I'd be interested in hearing if there is a difference between the older 421 and the 421 II. I have a 421 I bought in the early to mid 80s and wondering how it would compare with the newer ones. Thanks...
In this video 441 sounds amazing for guitar overdrive sound, seems a perfect complement for sm57. I will try, found this mic in the vintage version days ago and no try in this application.
Would love to get my hands on a 421, all I know is that the 441 is a GREAT mike for vocals and stringed instruments. Its my favourite mike for f-hole mandolin. Retains all the punch but none of the shrillness that is the arch enemy of those instruments.
They're both pretty good, but for more clarity and transient detail, the 441 is the better of the two. I so want the 441, but just haven't been able to justify its cost.
I think the 421 sounded way better on the amp. Vocals it was close. The 441 looks way cooler lol, but it cvosts way more, no? Not sure it's justified, but, you can't really tell till you use em for yourself.
Sennheiser mics tend to have a very identifiable sound to their upper-mids. The MD421 accentuates it quite a lot, while with the MD441 it's not as noticeable (other stuff, like their e906, sits somewhere in the middle). If you like this sound, and how it can cut through a dense mix, then you'll be happy with either one. If not, you may still be able to get good results from the 441, but you'll never be happy the 421.
Thanks very good video ! IMHO, the 441 seems to have a bump around 400-600hz and sounds warmer but mudier. Seems that you have more info with the 441 but it needs EQ to get rid of that mud. The 441 sounds thinner. Both are sounding very natural.
I thought you were the singer from Cage the Elephant, but looked it up and it turns out that you only perfectly fit my idea of what he would look and sound like
Best example is on toms & why the 421 was so popular on them. the 441 is the most expensive dynamic microphone on the market, and the coolest looking. but, I would choose an EV RE-20 over the 441.
No disrespect but I'm not sure of what you're comparing between the mics in this comparison because # 1, they both have different pick-up patterns and #2, they each have a 5-position bass roll-off switch by the XLR connector. and the 441 has an extra high boost switch. You didn't mention any settings unless i missed it (and that could be) of what you did. For instance, in beating on the floor tom, the 421 sounds brighter! because the cardioid 421 is picking up the snare, the room, sound off the cymbals etc. The 441 is going to reject those things being hyper-cardioid and only pick up the floor tom head. as with the other comparisons same thing. 421 gets more of the sound hole of the acoustic - 441 gets more of the 12th fret especially where it was located farther from the hole then the 421. These mics are two different beautiful beasts and i believe they can't be compared to each other. Again , not criticizing Trying to help, rock on !
The thing not mentioned about the 421 mkII is its so durable, you would think mackie built then. Ive seen these things punted across the room, and still work.
I never understand the comments and love for the md441. I’d love someone to explain it to me, genuinely. Every time I hear one it sounds the same, extremely stuffy, the details ll muffled in low and low mids. No space, no air, just this low mid stuffed up woolly sound. But I continually see people talking about the detail. It has to be one of the least open mics I’ve heard. But this is all from demos and RUclips. I just don’t get it. The mic even has a five way I think tone switch to get out of that low end bog. I don’t know, I just find it a strange pick. This video doesn’t demonstrate it but the 421 the old one sounds so smooth and nice on vocals. The 441 sounds the exact opposite of open and alive to me. I also don’t think it sounds warm at all. People seem to conflate low end with warmth, but a mic needs to be open to sound warm otherwise it’s just dry and muffled sounding without life. This is just my impression so I’d like to hear if someone actually understands where I’m coming from with it but has a counter point s I’m really confused by how revered this mic is. It’s obviously good quality and I feel I’m no getting something, or maybe I really just don’t like the sound. I also find the re20 very stodgy and kind of treacly but it’s all in these fluffy indistinct mids.
The 441 has less high end, however on the drums clip, I prefer the ambient quality the 421 has, more of a "you are there" presence. I won an award from the Global Music Awards for a music video I submitted called Leaves You Sitting There. The Band was called Dakota. Three cameras, two camera people, audio off the cameras in post, one producer, director, permission from the band. Luxoreum photo video, on RUclips: Luxoreum Science of Light channel. Thanks.
I liked the 441 on everything, the 421 was ok on the Guitars both Electric, and acoustic but, not any better than the 441. I did not like the 421 on vocals at all.
for those who likes the high details on 421, there is a high boost on 441 who give a the same sensation (more clear, more open..)
The 421 has such a pronounced boost in the upper mids while the 441 is known for being ruler flat - it's hard to compare them against each other.
Been a fan since hearing Elton John sing through a 441 live in 1973. 421 sounds like a "nice mic"... 441 sounds like the source. Each has its place, but I'd buy the 441 before the 421.
This is great! I have used both extensively and love the 441 for the details. Especially good on certain female vocals.
441 sounded very muffled actually compared to the 421 II in this particular shootout. I know the 441 is SUPPOSED to be better but I was surprised actually that 421 was way warmer and more pleasing on its own....in the mix could be different though??
Vintage King, Question for you guys.❤️So the 421 is cardioid, so it has best rear rejection, and the 441 has super cardioid, so it has a little rear introduction. If the 441 is aimed with its back, down towards a carpet, would it be ok to use in a non-treated room ? I like the 441 sound for the vocals, and the 421 sounded electronically irritating to me. 0:50 for the 421, and 1:13 for the 441. This is where the 441 shines for vocals.
In your tests the 421 fared really well.
I had both, kept the 441. I really like it's upper midrange. (there's a switch on it for a bass cut filter)
It does need a good, open-sounding preamp, in my opinion. Found it pairs great with a DAV BG-1 and Telefunken V676a.
Regarding the bass boost on MD441-U observed by many here: MD441-U is a hypercardio mic, so proximity effect is more pronounced than on MD421 II (cardio) at same distance...
Great Job ! Did i hear that right , when the on the floor tom it sounded to my ears that the 441 blocked out more the rest of the drum set than the 421 !? and a little more low end to it too . Btw , my mother used to sing through that 441 in the 70's .
great vid, lovely examples and beautifully filmed.
Really interesting comparison. The 421 has a really nice mic sound and the 441 sounds like there is no mic. My takeaway is 421 for flattery and 441 for realism.
Ohhhh nice end chhord on thhe accoustic playing there.
I'd be interested in hearing if there is a difference between the older 421 and the 421 II. I have a 421 I bought in the early to mid 80s and wondering how it would compare with the newer ones. Thanks...
E-guitar: 421 ... all the others: 441
Wow, that 421 sounds great! I came here to have a listen at the 441...
441 have beautiful design,but 421 have cleaner sound.
In this video 441 sounds amazing for guitar overdrive sound, seems a perfect complement for sm57. I will try, found this mic in the vintage version days ago and no try in this application.
💪 Md421 is in the house
For looks, the 441 wins hands-down. For the price difference, I'll take the 421 all day long.
Would love to get my hands on a 421, all I know is that the 441 is a GREAT mike for vocals and stringed instruments. Its my favourite mike for f-hole mandolin. Retains all the punch but none of the shrillness that is the arch enemy of those instruments.
They're both pretty good, but for more clarity and transient detail, the 441 is the better of the two. I so want the 441, but just haven't been able to justify its cost.
I think the 421 sounded way better on the amp. Vocals it was close. The 441 looks way cooler lol, but it cvosts way more, no? Not sure it's justified, but, you can't really tell till you use em for yourself.
Sennheiser mics tend to have a very identifiable sound to their upper-mids. The MD421 accentuates it quite a lot, while with the MD441 it's not as noticeable (other stuff, like their e906, sits somewhere in the middle). If you like this sound, and how it can cut through a dense mix, then you'll be happy with either one. If not, you may still be able to get good results from the 441, but you'll never be happy the 421.
Thanks very good video ! IMHO, the 441 seems to have a bump around 400-600hz and sounds warmer but mudier. Seems that you have more info with the 441 but it needs EQ to get rid of that mud. The 441 sounds thinner. Both are sounding very natural.
I thought you were the singer from Cage the Elephant, but looked it up and it turns out that you only perfectly fit my idea of what he would look and sound like
I enjoyed the 421 for everything except vocals...
I already own the Sennheiser e495 for vocals. Would it be worth paying three times more for this mic for live performance??
421 all day long. 41 is ace, but 21 has more character which for me the key
Mmmm for me 421 for vocals and 441 for guitars and drums.
Best example is on toms & why the 421 was so popular on them. the 441 is the most expensive dynamic microphone on the market, and the coolest looking. but, I would choose an EV RE-20 over the 441.
surprised how much better the 421 sounds
441 has huge hi roll off but it's got a cozy slow attack
No disrespect but I'm not sure of what you're comparing between the mics in this comparison because # 1, they both have different pick-up patterns and #2, they each have a 5-position bass roll-off switch by the XLR connector. and the 441 has an extra high boost switch. You didn't mention any settings unless i missed it (and that could be) of what you did. For instance, in beating on the floor tom, the 421 sounds brighter! because the cardioid 421 is picking up the snare, the room, sound off the cymbals etc. The 441 is going to reject those things being hyper-cardioid and only pick up the floor tom head. as with the other comparisons same thing. 421 gets more of the sound hole of the acoustic - 441 gets more of the 12th fret especially where it was located farther from the hole then the 421. These mics are two different beautiful beasts and i believe they can't be compared to each other. Again , not criticizing Trying to help, rock on !
The 441 was always better for low end sounds, snare and toms also for vocals. The 421 was more open, great on acoustic instruments and backing vocals.
The thing not mentioned about the 421 mkII is its so durable, you would think mackie built then. Ive seen these things punted across the room, and still work.
I never understand the comments and love for the md441. I’d love someone to explain it to me, genuinely. Every time I hear one it sounds the same, extremely stuffy, the details ll muffled in low and low mids. No space, no air, just this low mid stuffed up woolly sound. But I continually see people talking about the detail. It has to be one of the least open mics I’ve heard. But this is all from demos and RUclips. I just don’t get it. The mic even has a five way I think tone switch to get out of that low end bog. I don’t know, I just find it a strange pick. This video doesn’t demonstrate it but the 421 the old one sounds so smooth and nice on vocals. The 441 sounds the exact opposite of open and alive to me. I also don’t think it sounds warm at all. People seem to conflate low end with warmth, but a mic needs to be open to sound warm otherwise it’s just dry and muffled sounding without life. This is just my impression so I’d like to hear if someone actually understands where I’m coming from with it but has a counter point s I’m really confused by how revered this mic is. It’s obviously good quality and I feel I’m no getting something, or maybe I really just don’t like the sound. I also find the re20 very stodgy and kind of treacly but it’s all in these fluffy indistinct mids.
The MD441 is very soft sounding
The 441 has less high end, however on the drums clip, I prefer the ambient quality the 421 has, more of a "you are there" presence.
I won an award from the Global Music Awards for a music video I submitted called Leaves You Sitting There. The Band was called Dakota.
Three cameras, two camera people, audio off the cameras in post, one producer, director, permission from the band. Luxoreum photo video, on RUclips: Luxoreum Science of Light channel. Thanks.
The 441 seemed to have a lot less top end and a real unflattering boost in the lower mids. I didn't like it on anything. Quite happy with my 421
Is the Mk8 The best condenser Microphone.
I have a 421, and dreams of 441. But price... I am a voice over artist.
I liked the 441 on everything, the 421 was ok on the Guitars both Electric, and acoustic but, not any better than the 441. I did not like the 421 on vocals at all.
441 sounds better on hotter sources. It’s also 2wice the price!
I prefer the 421. 441 sounds too dark for my taste.
Great singer