Advice for buying general purpose LDD mic: Shure SM7 or Senn 421?

[Arka]

Hi!

I am looking to add a large diaphragm dynamic to our studio mic arsenal. The main uses will be miking bass and guitar cabs and as an alternative to a LDC for vocals and possibly horns.

From the research I´ve done so far, the ones that seem most interesting are Shure SM7 and Sennheiser MD421. I would like opinions on which one of these would be the best suited for what I want to do. Is one better than the other or are they just different, and if so how? Suggestions on other mics are welcome as well. How about EV RE20/RE16?

Thanks /Arka

[everybody's x]

All of those mics would be great for you to own, but if you had to pick one. I'd say the MD421 is a neccesary tool every studio should have, it is great on so many things. thumbsup

[subatomic]

of those 2, I'd choose the sm7. I love it on guitar amps and it's becoming my favorite mic for vocals lately.

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by everybody's x

if you had to pick one. I'd say the MD421

Originally Posted by subatomic

of those 2, I'd choose the sm7

I hope you weren't expecting a definitive answer?

Someone else will be along in a minute to say "I'd take the RE-20 over almost anything else."

All hail the Gearslutz Forum for the healthy and wide range of informed opinion! thumbsup

[Beauarts]

I'm not sure either is 'Large Diaphram' like a condenser mic is. Only Stedman makes a 'LD' dynamic i believe.

Both will work for a lot of things. The Shure has a pretty low output though. Unless you have pres with at least 60db of gain, you might find the 421 more useful.

[JSVice]

I can't speak to the SM7, but I own the 421 and RE20. While I pretty much think both of them are must have mics, you'll have to decide what you want to focus on with this mic. I think that for cabs, both are usable (slight edge to the 421), but on drums I'll use the RE20 on kick occasionally, whereas the 421 is outstanding on toms, and sometimes useful on kick as well. For vox, I think the RE20 is hands down the better mic.

[everybody's x]

Originally Posted by Labs

Gustav

wellobviously the slutty answer is "buy them all"

that's what I'd do

[genericperson]

something to remember about the RE-20. it is a special mic designed to not have a proximity effect. so when you put it up close on the source, it does *not* bass boost. it is a standout in that regard. it's also the de-facto voice-over mic for any sort of talk radio show.

electrovoice is totally not the cool brand in mics, but they do rule the market in this one specific area with the re-20. they are easily rented, so try one out (the sm7 and 421 are also easily rented).

[bloodstone]

I love the 421 on bass cabs and voice. Not so excited about it on guitar cabs thusfar. I've tried it quite a bit on Fender Deluxe Reverbs, Old Supro amps and a little Gretsch 8" oval I have. Also often a winner on bass drum.

[Arka]

Thanks for all the replies... kind of suspected that there was no straight answer to my question. Think I´m gonna go with an old Senn 421, since they seem to be quite cheap and commonly available here in europe.

/Arka

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Beauarts

I'm not sure either is 'Large Diaphram' like a condenser mic is. Only Stedman makes a 'LD' dynamic i believe.

Then you believe wrong. The Beyerdynamic M99 is most assuredly a large diaphragm mic, and most definitely a dynamic.

[Doublehelix]

I have both, (actually I have a couple of 421s), and it is probably the most versatile of the two, although the SM7 is a useful mic, the 421s seem to get used a *lot* more around here...guitars, toms, kick, vocals (rarely).

[dokushoka]

I'm gonna be the black sheep here and say that I don't care for the 441. I used them on snare, toms, and guitar amps and it never really thrilled me (I prefer a m201 much more for all of those applications). It didn't sound better, per say, than a sm57, just "different."

The sm7 and re20 though are both badass mics!

[GPl]

Originally Posted by dokushoka

I'm gonna be the black sheep here and say that I don't care for the 441. I used them on snare, toms, and guitar amps and it never really thrilled me (I prefer a m201 much more for all of those applications). It didn't sound better, per say, than a sm57, just "different."

The sm7 and re20 though are both badass mics!

try the 421, sounds a whole lot different

[dokushoka]

Originally Posted by GPl

try the 421, sounds a whole lot different

doh. typo. Meant to be talking about the 421. The 441 I kind of like...

[De chromium cob]

This is the high end forum- you must buy BOTH.... At LEAST two of each...Seriously.

[cdog]

Originally Posted by James Lehmann

Someone else will be along in a minute to say "I'd take the RE-20 over almost anything else."

Actually, I was going to say Beyer M88.

[kudzu]

A bit off subject but...if u want a "modern" utility mic and are recording to digital, get a ribbon mic....royer 121, aea 84 or 92....441 is great also (not ribbon but deals with PCM in a similar way....)

[boomed]

I'm not sure either is 'Large Diaphram' like a condenser mic is. Only Stedman makes a 'LD' dynamic i believe.

How about an AKG D12E? That's a large diaphram.

[murp]

Originally Posted by cdog

Actually, I was going to say Beyer M88.

Seriously though, I would recommend a Beyer M88 as a useful all-purpose mic - they're very handy to have around the place. They're pretty neutral for a dynamic, they can be acquired for about the same (or cheaper) than an SM7, they work just as well on many things (maybe not guitar cabs), and are a little easier to get into tight spots when micing complex drumkits. I use them on toms and inside/outside kick drums all the time and get fantastic results. They're also hypercardiod which can be your friend when trying to minimize leakage.

[84K]

SM7

[petsematary]

Originally Posted by Mark

Then you believe wrong. The Beyerdynamic M99 is most assuredly a large diaphragm mic, and most definitely a dynamic.

Interesting post. What about this Beyer mic? I've never read anything about it but it looks interesting - good specs anyway. Is it a sleeper?

[Mark]

Seeing as how only 5 other people seem to have bought one, then I'd say it is.

I'm using mine as my main vocal mic

I'll post a sample as soon as I've gotten my new soundcard

[petsematary]

Please do. For us europeans, the EV's and Shures are so freakin' expensive (at least twice the cost compared to us street price) so you've gotta look at european brands. Sennheiser...Beyer...AKG...the list goes on. I can't wait to hear the samples.

It's such a beautiful mic, too. It's got that RE20 thing going on, on the sides...

[Mark]

Sadly it'll just be me singing and talking

Through a really cheap pre amp.

But hopefully it'll give you some idea.

[petsematary]

Just read a few lines from The Young Ones and it'll be fine.

[magellan]

i have both and use 'em all the time: sm-7 on vocals, guitar cabs, and snare; the 421 on toms, kick, and guitar cabs. btw, you'll need a mic-pre with plenty of gain for the sm-7. i think both mics are 'must-haves', buy one now, get the other later!

[zakco]

I own both but I use the SM7b far more than the 421. As yes they do need a ton of gain. I think the SM7 sounds especially nice with my MP2NV.
I use it on all kinds of sources. On one session it beat a handful of great mics on a bluegrass banjo track. Always a contender for vocals.

As for the 421, I find the MD409 and 441 more useful at my place.

-Z-