No MD-409 
by Brandon from Seattle, WA, September 2006
Music Background:  full time engineer

First, for the price, the 609 silver is an OK mic for certain things.
But just to clear any confusion that this might be the alternative to finding an original MD 409, it is not. (I haven't heard an e906. Maybe it's better.) Just to remind myself, I went back out to the studio to compare them side by side again on electric guitar. Compared to a 409, the 609 silver is nothing like it. The 409 sounded natural, balanced and full. It sounded like my guitar going though my amp. The 609 is voiced quite differently. The low end bump is voiced much higher into the (honky) low mids, and there is a sharp high peak that sounds pretty edgy and unnatural to me. The strangest thing is compared to the 409, and other mics I put up, the tone of the 609 almost sounds like something is partly out of phase. Odd. I went in there trying to like it again, but I just reminded myself why I haven't used it in a while. For even less money, I'd get an Audix i5 if you want something different than your 57's. Or just be done with it and get yourself a Royer! :-)

  Versitile!!!!!!! 
by Brian Bauer from Quail Valley,CA, July 2006
Music Background:  Guitarist, Live and Recording Engineer

Though I've herd pepole say good and bad things about the e609 from sennheiser using it is the real test. It when used close on a cabnit brings great clarity for live sound. And I've used it on kick drums and cajons as well as other percusion, though it would not be my first choice it preformed great with proper setup and a little tunning. This is a great large diaphram mic.

  Just what I was looking for! 
by Mike from Springfield, OH, July 2006
Music Background:  Recording engineer, pro musician

I have previously owned and ran a project studio some 10 years ago and now am getting back into it again. So, I'm in the early stages of aquiring some decent mics. My first project was to find a good mic for guitar amps. In the past I had always used SM57's and found them capable but not exactly the best. I wanted something this time around that wouldn't color the sound as much as an SM57. Well with this E609 I have found just that. It has all that familliar bite and attack of an SM57 but it stays less colored or compressed just like I wanted. So far I haven't had to add any EQ on my guitar tracks with this mic, it is just perfect for my taste. I have mixed it with a condeser mic to give it a more airy feel which worked out great. This is my first experience with Sennheiser mics and after such a great response I got my eyes on some others to check out now.

  SWEET! 
by Kiril from Salt Lake City, UT USA, June 2006
Music Background:  Recording Artist/Producer

It took all but 10 minuets of tinkering to get this mic to sound good. I have read reviews that claim it to be "boomy", or "mid-rangy". I have found that a tiny boost in the high shelf (+2 or 3 db), will bring out the best in this mic. The low end and mid-range can go untouched. Or you can use subtractive EQ to acquire the same effect. It sounds very full, clear and transparent. I cant wait to try it out on some percussion instruments. I am very happy with this mic. I will likely buy one more.

Versatile and Useful 
by Benjamin L Backus from Chandler, AZ, July 2005

I am not a big fan of just dropping a 609 down in front of a guitar cab, but I like a bit more space between the microphone and the speakers, just to let it breath a bit. My favorite electric guitar sound is with an Sm57 aimed near the dust cap and the 609 our near the edge to catch some low end depth. Big and full sound!
My favorite application for this microphone is on snare drum. It simply cuts through the mix. Solo the snare and you will be thinking to yourself, "this is just ripping my head off." I have never found it's equal in this application.

not for me 
by Anonymous from Catasauqua, PA, June 2005

This mic is quickly becoming a staple in studios, stages, and amp simulator plugins. Personally, I don't love Sennheiser mics. And this is no exception. In a shootout with 57s, U87 clones,EV Pl6 mics and a bunch of others, this one sounded way midrangy. little bottom. Almost boinky. It can handle the SPLs though. and its it might be just the thing for someone.

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