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So I sang into this MD 421, and it sounded real good. DMP3 preamp.

I wonder what you all would do to tweak this setup. I have an idea that the filter ring is comprised of capacitors that I'd be better off without. Does anyone know anything about stripping the signal path?

Maybe there's a preamp that likes this mic especially well (forget expensive ones; I'm not interested).

I'm thinking that the mic has a lot of juice but maybe a little more finesse in the sound -- without going in a whole direction with the sound -- would be a good thing.

I'm just poking around in my head. Anyone relate to these thoughts?

A

Comments

RemyRAD Thu, 09/25/2008 - 23:02

That microphone is particularly great on drums. It doesn't overload. It has a lovely 5 stage low-frequency rolloff filter. It is also a very popular microphone for radio station disc jockeys. There is no reason to modify this microphone. DON'T. Not as popular for singers but a better sounding West German version of an SM58. Now some folks like to take the transformers out of those and they feel, they sound better? Personally, microphones are like underwear. Rarely modified due to a poor fit. If you don't like the way it sounds, sell it. That's one of the best microphones ever made just the way it is.

If it ain't broke? Don't fix it.
Ms. Remy Ann David

Otherwise, you can't fix stupid.

anonymous Fri, 09/26/2008 - 16:23

Everything everyone says makes perfect sense.

I actually moved a little closer to what I was thinking about by changing cables. I wanted to move about 30% towards a hifi condenser sound -- what I was hearing from the Sennheiser was in the right arena but a little brutal. The cable change made it about good enough.

Of course in a few months I'll be looking at something else. Of course changing cables is a cheap and effective tweak.

Love y'all.

H

RemyRAD Fri, 09/26/2008 - 21:11

If your intention is to continue recording with your computer's built-in sound card, my recommendation to you is to purchase a standard XLR microphone cable at your local music store. Then you can go to Radio Shaft and get yourself a low impedance, balanced, XLR transformer to high impedance unbalanced output. This is a critical item that is lacking in your onboard soundcard. Sure, just an adapter card can get you in the door. But this transformer will make the microphone perform better, do you less noise, more output to the crappy soundcard. It will run you under $20 US. Then you might even be happier with the sound? Try it.

Have fun
Ms. Remy Ann David