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Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt Microphone

Dynamic Microphone with Cardioid Polar Pattern and Mic Clip
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Item ID: MD421KOMPAKT
Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt Microphone
Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt Microphone

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MD 421 Kompakt Microphone with Short Stand

MD 421 Kompakt Microphone (3 Pack)
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Product Image - This Item - Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt Microphone
Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt Microphone
$285.79
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Link to Gator Cableworks Backline Series Microphone Cable - 10 foot
$19.99
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Link to Gator Frameworks GFW-MIC-2621 Tripod-style Bass Drum and Amp Mic Stand
$74.99
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The MD 421 Now in a Drumstick-proof Package

The Sennheiser MD 421 is to toms what the Royer 121 is to guitars — it’s been a staple for decades due to its amazing sound and dependability. The Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt delivers the same performance, cardioid pickup pattern, remarkable dynamic range, and high SPL handling as the original but in an aptly named compact package that is much less intrusive. Perhaps best of all, Sweetwater studio engineers nearly jumped for joy to see that the MD 421 Kompakt features a newly designed integrated mic clip!

Related Videos: MD 421 Kompakt Microphone

Legendary performance

Do you listen to music with drums? Then you’ve heard an MD 421. It’s considered the go-to microphone for rack and floor toms and has been in constant percussive employment for decades. Its 30Hz–17kHz frequency response and high SPL handling make it ubiquitous in professional and project studios. The Kompakt version delivers all of that plus a smaller profile that’s much less likely to be whacked by a wayward drumstick.

This is not a drill — a new mic clip!

For all its wonderful features, the original MD 421’s mic clip left something to be desired. Sennheiser listened to the critiques and will deliver the MD 421 Kompakt with a newly designed integrated mic clip that is much more stable, secure, and safe.

Sennheiser MD 421 Kompakt Features:

  • Iconic MD 421 performance in a streamlined profile
  • Exceptionally high SPL handles drums and other loud instruments with ease
  • Compact size means versatility for any studio or stage
  • Redesigned mic clip is securely affixed to the microphone itself for enhanced ease of use
  • Legendary Sennheiser build quality means it’s also ready for the road

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Dynamic
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  • Frequency Response: 30Hz-17kHz
  • Output Impedance: 250 ohms
  • Color: Black
  • Connector: XLR
  • Included Accessories: Mic Clip
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 700587

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Reviews

3.7

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Another flavor of 421



I've owned a vintage MD 421U for many years, and have used it extensively on kick, floor tom, bass amps, and guitar amps. These days I'm primarily recording guitar amps, so I put it through its paces recently on a popular amp (Fender Strat into a Fender Princeton) in a shoot-out vs other Sennheiser favorites, including my MD 421 U and an e609.


I appreciate the small and lightweight nature of this, and a more traditional clip vs the classic 421 allowing easy setup in a tight space. I don't mind the loss of the 5-position switch on the classic 421, as I always left it sitting on M anyway.


I recorded tracks across 5 different playing styles, from light and snappy to dark and heavy, with a mix of riffs, licks, and chords and I included plenty of reverb and delay to make sure to test its ability to capture the nuances.


In short - everything I threw at it sounded good; a reasonable capture of the amp very similar to what I heard in the room. I feel confident that I could use it in any situation and it would provide acceptable results, and in some situations it would be absolutely ideal. Is it simply a smaller version of a 421? I would say not - its definitely got a little warmer/rounder/darker sound, which I actually found preferable in some cases. That said, it is clearly from the same family tree, and with a touch of EQ you can get them to match up quite well.


To finish the mic shootout story, the e609 is also part of the same family tree but perhaps a more distant relative, with more edge, presence, and grit. With careful placement and perhaps a little EQ I could use it on anything, but for grab-and-go action it's probably slightly better suited for more neutral to darker amps, or situations where you need to cut through the mix a bit more. The 421 Kompakt could be used on anything, although it may need a touch of EQ, and it might be a better choice for lightly taming a brighter amp. The MD 421 U has a sonic profile that sits in-between the other two, not as much edge as the e609, but not as warm as the 421 Kompakt.


Not a bad price. Should pair really well with an SM57, MD201, or Ribbon mic to capture a rich, full, and accurate guitar sound.

by Matt from Idaho on
Music background: 4 decades of playing, 3+ of recording
A Solid Kompakt Mic
The 421 is usually a love it or hate it kind of thing from my experience. There are diehard fans of the mic that have formed strong opinions of the various iterations of the mic over the years. From the 421-2, the N, HN, U and currently the ii, the mic has been a staple of stage and studio use throughout the over 60 years its been available. Sennheiser has now made a smaller version of the mic and ditched the annoying spring loaded clip in favor of a standard single axis swivel mount connected to the body. I think their use of a combo 5/8ths and 3/8ths threading in this connector was a bit off, as when using the 5/8ths threading you get less than 2 turns before the hardware you're mounting it to bottoms out. Setup with the mic is a breeze though with the optional drum mount, and I like the mic doesnt have to stick out so far when using it on guitar or bass cabs. Soundwise, IT IS different from its predecessors. The mic sounds a little darker (which I happen to like). Theres a cut around 5k that helps get rid of the bees in a bottle sound on distorted guitars. I preferred this mic on my 12" tom over the ii and the older u4. The grille and headbasket has been reenforced to help with the occasional drop and stick hit, which is a big plus. Check out the video to hear it for yourself unprocessed. A solid offering from Sennheiser and the price is about right for it.
by Anthony Paganini from South Hempstead, NY on
Music background: over 25 years audio engineer/musician
A better 421!
I have always been a fan of the old school mics so when these came out I was pretty excited. Being able to set these up on a drum set so much easier is a no brainer. I did a little test recording to compare these vs the old ones and I think I prefer these! They are a little bit beefier sounding and definitely do not lack anything despite the size! Still does the same cool off axis response I like in guitar cans and of course sounds great on drums. This is also a favorite on bass cabs!
by Paul E Marchman from KS on
Music background: Guitarist and engineer.
Price & Performance Tradeoff
Years ago I used the full size 421 as a sax flute player, wanted to return to 421 sound & upgrade from my SM58
Kompakt version
Pros: Smaller, Price, Good phat sound, "iffy" as to whether its a good as full size
Cons: Not as monitor feedback resistant, Mic clip being integrated and having soft brass threads I leave it on my goose neck to reduce risk of messing up the threads
by Jay from San Diego on
Music background: 20yrs blues/bohemian jazz
Nasty Noise Transmission!
The sound has this scooped character to it. What got me is every little sound that can be transmitted to the sound system via light cable touches to taps or any touches of the body of the microphone. It will definitely transmit all stage noise and it's uncle…. Sennheiser messed this one up. Hated it. Returned it. Stay away.
by Sweetwater Customer on

From their studio-standard MD 421 II drum mic to their trusty headphones and ultra-reliable wireless systems, there are countless good reasons why the artists and engineers here at Sweetwater are quick to recommend Sennheiser products. In our personal studios, you'll find plenty of HD 280 Pro headphones, e609 Silver cab mics, and other staples, while many of us rely on EW wireless in-ear systems onstage. Our long association with Sennheiser means we constantly have their latest products in stock and in our hands, so we're ready to tell you all about them. If you're looking for Sennheiser gear, then get the information you need from people who use it - trust your Sweetwater Sales Engineer.

See also: Dynamic Mics, Sennheiser, Sennheiser Dynamic Microphones