awesome mic 
by , September 2007
Music Background:  drummer, hobbyist, student

This mic is awesome! It's great that it has a high SPL handling because I've been recording brass instruments with it. I compared the recordings of the brass instruments with this mic to recordings of brass with an AKG Perception 200 and an sm57. There was no comparison. The 421 brings any and every recording to life and gives it the brilliance you're looking for. Its also very versatile and can used to record many different kinds of instruments. If you're considering this mic, you shouldn't hesitate, just buy it!

  My go-to dynamic mic 
by Chris Farber from Portage, MI, May 2007
Music Background:  Guitarist, Live Sound and recording Engineer

This is without a doubt my favorite dynamic mic. It sounds great on acoustics, electrics, vocals, toms, etc. The five way bass rolloff really lets you tailor the sound for your needs. It has a nice presence and articulation, and the ability to roll off the lows really helps get great tones out of normally boomy instruments. I have rarely found a dynamic that I like on acoustic guitar, but this one really shines in that capacity. You need to get this mic. You won't be disappointed.

  Sounds Nice Live 
by B.M.G. from Oxnard, CA, March 2007
Music Background:  Assistant Engineer, Drum Programmer, Pianist

I just saw The Mars Volta @ the Ventura Theater last night, and Cedric was using the 421 for lead vocals. You might want to experiment with placing a fan in front of the 421 while singing, like he did.

  Best dynamic mic purchase I've made. 
by IMAGO RECORDING STUDIOS from Lexington, Ky, February 2007
Music Background:  Recording Engineer, pro musician, and Independant producer.

I usually record with alot of condesers and ribbons, but after picking up the 421 and making the rounds with it.....wow. Most dynamic mics just sound to muddy and in need of eq(for my tastes). This mic makes the sm57 sound like a toy. I love the crisp highs that you get from it that normally aren't found in dynamics. Get yourself one or five of these....your recordings are asking for it.

  Believe it or not, kick drum. 
by Johnny V from Prescott, AZ, February 2007
Music Background:  Studio owner, Engineer, Producer

I replaced an audix D6 with a 421 for my kick IN track, then brought the D6 about 2 feet in front of the head for my kick OUT track. The 'clicky' sound I was hunting for in my kick (I record punk and hardcore) was instanly realized. Not only that, but a couple days later I talked to an assistant at The Blasting Room, and he said that Comeback Kid's 'Wake The Dead' album (engineered by Jason Livermore) used a 421 on their kick drum as well. Those drums sound amazing. This mic belongs in everyone's mic vault, and you can probably get rid of your SM57s and Audix i5s as well.

  421>57 
by Neil from Cleveland, Ohio, November 2006
Music Background:  Engineer/Musician

If you want to put an sm57 on something, but you want it to sound good, get a 421.

  Another workhorse 
by Greg from N.J., October 2006
Music Background:  Engineer/editor

The 421 is a workhorse in my studio and in tons of others. It's built like a tank, even with the 421 II's new plastic body rather than the older metal. It's 5 position bass roll-off is handy. The 421 can be great for toms, snares, guitar cabs and rotating speakers. Great on bass cabs along with a D112 (my preference). High SPL capacity so it can handle kicks and bass amps and close micing horns. I don't like the design of the mic clip, however. It is latching, and the release is just where most fingers land when grasping, so care must be taken when positioning the mic (dumb).

Great Mike 
by John F from Dallas, January 2005

I first used the MD 421 when I was an announcer for KVIL in Dallas in the 70's. I still use it for voiceover work. It is a real classic!

Tried and True 421 
by Robert Snyder from Recording Studio Owner - Texas, May 2004

This mic has been around a while. I remember seeing it in a 'movie' (You know, before videos) from "the Who". It's been re-worked to eliminate more modern problems like proximity to your computer and monitor as the 421 II. Radio announcers still use it extensively for spoken word, and we use em' in the studio for guitar cabinets, tom, and kick drum.

Why the 421 is amazing 
by Marc Meeker , January 2004

This microphone blew my mind. If you're a electric guitarist looking for a dynamic microphone that gives sweet, warm, buttery sound (as opposed to bright and thin) this is the mic for you. I came to this conclusion while close micing a Fender Twin Reverb a few inches from the cone and slightly off axis. A/B'd against SM-57 and several high dollar microphones at various distances there was no comparison in terms of a single mic choice.

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