Avid Pro Audio Community

Avid Pro Audio Community

How to Join & Post  •  Community Terms of Use  •  Help Us Help You

Knowledge Base Search  •  Community Search  •  Learn & Support


Avid Home Page

Go Back   Avid Pro Audio Community > Other Products > The Drum Room

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-16-2020, 12:25 AM
johnbarnesiii johnbarnesiii is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 169
Default Sennheiser 421 Tom Mic Question

Hi guys, I’m in the process of buying some mics for recording my drum kit. I’m interested in the Sennheiser 421, as I’ve heard they’ve been a staple for tom mics for a long time.

I’m noticing many different versions for this mic when I look on Reverb or eBay for example. Which one to go for? For example, I see 421-N as more expensive, then I see 421-II as a little cheaper. And a few other models/iterations of the 421. What’s the difference here and which to recommend?

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-16-2020, 08:24 AM
JFreak's Avatar
JFreak JFreak is online now
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tampere, Finland
Posts: 24,849
Default Re: Sennheiser 421 Tom Mic Question

As an engineer, 421-II is the modern one you want to be using today. The old ones have the original sound and all but are tricky as hell because they are so old.

But if that is what you are after, the 421-N (mk1) sound is rounder and easier to mix, but it also has non-xlr connector. I think the "same thing" with xlr connector is 421-U

Just don't get the HN model, anything else is fine.
__________________
Janne
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-16-2020, 01:41 PM
albee1952's Avatar
albee1952 albee1952 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Norwich, CT
Posts: 39,292
Default Re: Sennheiser 421 Tom Mic Question

As big a fan as I am of the 421, there are some very good alternatives these days. The Audix D6 and Miktek PM11 are both great on toms, cost less and are easier to position I'm also a big fan of tracking toms with top and bottom mics(which gets really expensive with 421's)
__________________
HP Z4 workstation, Mbox Studio
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...0sound%20works


The better I drink, the more I mix

BTW, my name is Dave, but most people call me.........................Dave
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-16-2020, 01:42 PM
JFreak's Avatar
JFreak JFreak is online now
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tampere, Finland
Posts: 24,849
Default Re: Sennheiser 421 Tom Mic Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by albee1952 View Post
Audix D6
Isn't that a bit heavy? I like D2's on rack toms, D4's on floor toms
__________________
Janne
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-16-2020, 03:17 PM
JFreak's Avatar
JFreak JFreak is online now
Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tampere, Finland
Posts: 24,849
Default Re: Sennheiser 421 Tom Mic Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by albee1952 View Post
I'm also a big fan of tracking toms with top and bottom mics(which gets really expensive with 421's)
I like to experiment from time to time as well. What I have found having a SM57 on a tom bottom makes bigger difference (compared to having none) than using a really super expensive mic down there. Besides the mic you choose I get more tonal difference by setting the distance just right. YMMV of course.
__________________
Janne
What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-16-2020, 04:17 PM
johnbarnesiii johnbarnesiii is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 169
Default Re: Sennheiser 421 Tom Mic Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by JFreak View Post
As an engineer, 421-II is the modern one you want to be using today. The old ones have the original sound and all but are tricky as hell because they are so old.



But if that is what you are after, the 421-N (mk1) sound is rounder and easier to mix, but it also has non-xlr connector. I think the "same thing" with xlr connector is 421-U



Just don't get the HN model, anything else is fine.


Thank you Jfreak!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-22-2020, 10:53 AM
albee1952's Avatar
albee1952 albee1952 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Norwich, CT
Posts: 39,292
Default Re: Sennheiser 421 Tom Mic Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by JFreak View Post
Isn't that a bit heavy? I like D2's on rack toms, D4's on floor toms
Not at all(to me). I like the D6 better than the others you mention. It all comes down to how you balance the top/bottom in a mix. If I need less "fatness", the Miktek PM10 is a solid alternative, or I will ease up on the EQ(I know I sound like a Miktek fanboy, but their stuff has worked really well for me and I can actually talk to somebody there if I have an issue or question)
__________________
HP Z4 workstation, Mbox Studio
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...0sound%20works


The better I drink, the more I mix

BTW, my name is Dave, but most people call me.........................Dave
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-02-2020, 02:15 AM
JamesTheBest JamesTheBest is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Toronto
Posts: 6
Default Re: Sennheiser 421 Tom Mic Question

Sennheiser 421 - is a very good mic
I've been using for almost 2 months already
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Sennheiser's new add Craig F General Discussion 8 09-15-2014 04:59 AM
Sennheiser 421 doylemusic 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 2 05-18-2005 10:02 PM
Sennheiser me-66 mic. pindebraende Post - Surround - Video 4 07-15-2004 08:41 AM
sennheiser md 421 question keny 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 2 08-03-2003 08:26 PM
Sennheiser mic question revisited.... T-Man 003, Mbox 2, Digi 002, original Mbox, Digi 001 (Win) 3 04-22-2002 05:54 PM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:50 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. Forum Hosted By: URLJet.com