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Sennheiser
MD441 |
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MD441 is acknowledged as one of the most accurate and versatile
dynamic microphones available. It has a nearly textbook perfect
supercardioid pattern, a five-position low frequency contour switch,
a two-position high frequency switch, a critically dampened internal
shock suspension, and a hum bucking coil. With its distinctive
coffin shape and two tone chrome/vinyl finish the 441 is another
really great and distinctive mic from Sennheiser. These mics aren't
cheap but they are really a beautifully made and great sounding
microphone that can be used on hundreds of different applications
from a hand held vocal mic which it was designed for to toms,
brass and woodwind. If you ask any engineer with experience of
this mic what he uses it for the list will be pretty comprehensive.
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Recording |
I have had an old Sennheiser 441 for years and have used
it on just about everything and it always brings a lovely smoothness
to the sound. Its not got a great output but you can still use
it perfectly well through a standard mic pre and it has a really
useful off- axis response. The supercardioid pick up pattern
really comes in handy when using it as a stage vocal mic but
especially when using it on the snare to block out hi-hat spillage.
Whenever I am recording a jazz drummer, especially with brushes
I always, always use the 441 as I don't think that there is
a better mic for the job. It seems to have a built in compression,
squashing the sound really nicely and it's also a really
good drum mic for toms (though remember it's a pretty expensive
mic to be around a drum kit). I have tried in on the kick with
some success but for me it excells on the snare and vocals,
particularly female vocalists. The mic comes with a five position
bass roll off like the Sennheiser
421 but also a high boost though I tend not to use the high
boost but just use a little EQ which the mic takes really well.
It comes from a time when Sennheiser seemed to be having a ball
turning out beautiful and distinctive mics and even though the
clip is always breaking on mine I wouldn't swap it for anything.
A great dynamic microphone that's as useful as most condensers.
JR
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