Sennheiser MD 441
The Sennheiser MD 441 is an outstanding microphone for noisy stages and easily stands in for the Sennheiser MD 445 when I need to cut through the mix and get maximum gain before feedback. It's an odd nod to nostalgia and showmanship.
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.
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 | |
Specifications
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. 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