Sennheiser 441.. anyone know anything about this?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2001 8:58 pm

Sennheiser MD441, anyone know anything about it? I have one offered to me, used, for $100. I can't even find a list price on it anywhere.
Heres what it looks like... http://www.performanceaudio.com/sen...senn_md441.html
Anyone?

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2001 9:35 pm

In regards to the 441 IMHO, Test it out if possible, and decide then: they are one of the best dynamics around, and usually go for upwards of $300-$500 used. 'tho if it seems to good to be true, it probably is! http://www.recording.org/ubb/wink.gifGood luck,Jay
PlugHead Productions

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2001 7:18 pm

If it's in good shape, buy it !!!! Then try it out on a bunch of things -- you WILL find a use for it...-John

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2001 10:42 pm

For a buck? Buy it!

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2001 4:40 am

If you like the sound of Marrianne Faithfulls vocals on her album Broken English, then perhaps it's the mic for you.. She used it on that record.
Smile

Jules

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2001 11:10 am

I've heard it work out great on snare and acoustic guitar too. It's sort of like a Beyer M-88 only without as much isolation but it is tighter than a 57. In fact it relates to a 421 the same way an SM-7 relates to a 57, a bit flatter with built in tone controls and shock mounting.

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2001 7:23 am

Speaking about singers i 've heard Stevie Nicks used that too.
Is a very good pick for horns and brass too.
Overall applications field is wide. Not a colorful mike so
sometimes...
Mike clip is a bitch ( as 421 ) but if you don't get the original
( ask for that !!! ) you can arrange something and use duct tape
....hate that...but...Jo

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2001 7:41 am

Hi,
If it works OK, Get it! MD441 can be used on a lot of application where a condensers high end transients can sometimes sound unnatural, e.g. Tablas, Derrabucker, Jembay, steel string acoustic, Sax, Toms, Snare & Suntor.
Regards Michael

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2001 9:59 pm

i've had good results using the 441 on hi-hats. usually, in my experience, most hats can get honky sounding with many dynamics, but the 441 is more fluid, with a clearer hi-end than is usually found on a dynamic.then again, i use an EV re-27 to mic the snare, so you might want to take everything i say with a grain of salt Very Happy

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2001 10:49 pm

MD441 was THE hot mic for live sound for many years (before decent condensers were made roadworthy.) Still holds its own on vocals, drums, and horns as mentioned above. Its hypercardioid pickup pattern and minimal off-axis coloration let it outlast many of its competitors. Price has almost doubled in the 20 years since I bought them but it's a classic and easily worth $100 for a good one. MD421 and (particularly for vigorous vocalists) MD431 are also worth owning if you see any around.

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2001 7:19 am

I have two 441's, very versatile mics. The 441 is less 'hot' sounding as the 421, has better low end and is hyper cardioid.I once used one on violin because I didn't have a decent condenser available. The sound though was quite good.Good mic for horns and sax also, sounds like a condenser but with the compression of a dynamic Very Happy

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2001 8:14 am

Disclaimer: Serious hobbiest here. My 2-bits:In my world, the 441 is best (and most often) used on flute - especially jazz. About 18" up and mid-way between mouth and left hand. And of course, on drums.Given my mic closet, it has NOT been the preferred choice on guitar amps, saxes, etc. I HAS been the runner-up on one voice...after the RE-20. YMMV.Best...

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:50 pm

Hello,

Anyone some thoughts about how the MD441
would work for miking guitar and bass cabinets ?
('loud rock sources').
I'm using a 421 for that now but can buy a 441
in a few days.

And since the 441 is 'condenser-like', how would it be suited for a room-mike on a guitar amp ?
(as I understood room-sound is usually better recorded with a condenser).

Thanks,

Peter

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2003 2:53 pm

from Han:

Quote:

I have two 441's, very versatile mics. The 441 is less 'hot' sounding as the 421, has better low end and is hyper cardioid.

As in the other mail, I'm thinking on getting a 441 in addition to a 421. So was wondering about the 'less hot' as used above.
Less hot, you mean 'more relaxed' ?
More natural ? Less on-steriods ? Flatter ?

Thanks,

Peter

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 11:06 pm

I tend to think of the 441 being a little 'crisper' with a little more 'fizz' than the 421. Like Sprite vs. 7up. But then I can't say I have spent a lot of time diving into the rolloff switches and such, usually just stick them out there.

For example I like the 441 better on snare (usually) than the 421, and prefer the 421 on kick most times. I also like 441 better on high gain guitars for the 'fizz' factor, and usually muck with the eq less for that reason.

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