Sennheiser MD-21

Hi,

I do professional recording/PA, and have 3 MD21's for a long time.
It's an omnidirectional dynamic mike with very flat response curve, so it sounds very neutral. Since the membrane is big, it still is quite directional in the high frequencies. As with any omni, no proximity effect (more bass close up).
It's the less well known brother of the MD421 cardiod, the one you see on stage everywhere in the sixties, like in early Beatles clips).

With a good foam wind shield, the MD21 still is one of the best reporter mikes around: hardly any handling and wind noise. I use this oldy with a flash recorder now for interviews.

Also nice to have in the studio, very good for/in the bass drum (better than AKG D12 etc. IMHO: you EQ the drum, not the mike).
Also used two of them on a Jecklin disc for 'real' stereo, in the studio and outdoors: nice!

No so good on stage, as feedback will happen much quicker with any omni.
I'm surprised the reviewer above uses it on a harp. It will work, but as with any 'plucked' or 'hammered' sound (with a lot of 'attack') a small membrane directional condenser or good electret mike will sound much better. From my collection, I would use a Neumann KM84 (a good, flat cardiod condenser mike).

The MD21's with "small XLR plug" in fact don't have a XLR, but a old DIN plug. These still can be good, but are pre-eighties. Since they come with a real XLR and also in black.

Was extremely good value in the eighties. Still sold new as MD 21-U now, but priced a bit high these days.

Been playing for around 25y mostly blues/roots styles recent years doing acoustic stuff.

Been playing around with home recording for a couple of years so have a lot to learn.Use a M audio 1010Lt at present run my mikes into a studiomaster desk its my PA desk.Also use an old Sony 1/4 reel to reel.I sing ,play guitar and harp.
I monitor througth some Alesis monitor ones.They dont get many good reviews but there better than nothing.

My live duo rig is a Vision 900 Studiomaster desk a couple of RCF ART 300's
and a Quest QSA300 powered fold.

these are old mics late 50's early 60's they have small 3 pin XLR connections lucky they came with leads etc.They were wired like a 240 volt electric lead in Aussie.
They are a Dynamic omni mike desigened as reporters mikes.
They look like an old electric razor very well made strong.
I got my two at a church sale came from the church it was the PA systems mikes.

When i sore them i had no clue as to what they were other than they look cool and a good brand i figured they might make a nice mike for playing harp with.They are the best mike i have used playing amplifed harp and over many years have tried a few combinations.
I do use a nice old Aussie amp (Goldentone Bassmaster 20)
The MD-21 gives me that clasic Chicago harp sound at a lower volume
it really roars.Sounds good thougth the PA too has a bit more edge and drive than most Dynamic vocal mikes harp players often use.

Also used the mike on acoustic guitars on stage and sound great, heaps better and less feedback dramas then a SM57.My playing partner just loves his live sound sence i tried the old MD-21.

I just wanted to give this mike a wrap because they are more than just an old fashion reporters/broadcast mike.They sound excellent as a pair recording acoustic guitar not to coloured very natural sound. If you see an old one for sale buy it they are great.