Sennheiser MD 441

The Sennheiser MD 441 is an outstanding microphone for noisy stages. It's an odd nod to nostalgia and showmanship. There's nothing like it on a stage. Sound wise, it and easily stands in for the recently released Sennheiser MD 445 when I need to cut through the mix and get maximum gain before feedback.

The Sennheiser MD 441 has not displaced the Sennheiser MD 445 that I can toss into a gig bag. I might be more discerning about where I'd use the MD 441. When I need to be heard in a loud band setting and want to make a visual statement too, I'll set up the Sennheiser MD 441.

As you should expect from a super cardioid microphone, you want to sing directly into it. However, if you read the instruction manual, there's a hint. When using the brilliance switch, sing over the microphone instead of directly into it. You can use it hand-held and not obstruct your face.

It has a lift in the upper midrange and details in the highs that comes close to sounding like a good condenser microphone. This also helps me to project, compete, and be heard in a busy stage mix.

This article expresses my opinion and experience. Please post comments to Twitter @ST_Muso or LinkedIn @STPro. Thank you — ST.

Sennheiser MD 441-U

Web page	Sennheiser MD 441-U
Type	Dynamic
Polar Pattern	high-rejection Supercardioid
Specifications	Sennheiser MD 441 Specifications
Instruction Manual	Sennheiser MD 441 Manual
Quick Guide
ToneMatch Preset	Vocal Microphones / Flat, Vocal zEQ OR Vocal Microphones / Sennheiser MD 431-II
Introduced	1966 ($999 USD)
Press Release
Special Features

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Specifications

Roll-Off Filter

At the end of the microphone there is a unique roll-off filter controlled by a five position rotary switch marked M ... S. (Music ...Speech)

Sennheiser describes it this way.

When a directional microphone is spoken into from a close distance, the lower frequencies are overemphasized. If this effect is not desired, it may be levelled by aid of a roll-off filter. From the diagram (Figure 5) showing the influence of the roll-off filter, it can be seen that in position M (music) the frequency response curve is not altered in any way. In position S (speech) however, the frequencies below 700 Hz are attenuated by up to 14 dB. Between the positions M and S the low frequency response can be altered in three defined steps.

The five positions of the roll-off filter can be combined with the two positions of the brilliance switch. In this way, it is possible to choose between ten different frequency response settings

Brilliance Switch

The MD 441 allows an accentuation in the upper frequency range. It can be chosen using a switch located on the underside of the microphone. This switch can be easily operated using a pencil or small pin. If the switch is brought into position =+*= the frequencies above 3 kHz are accentuated by about 5 dB. This switch position is recommended when the microphone is being used by a vocal soloist. The microphone can then be held vertical in front of the chest and the singer sings practically "over the top". Even then, the sound remains brilliant.