What is the primary polar pattern of the Sennheiser MD 42?

The Sennheiser MD 42 features an omnidirectional polar pattern. This means it picks up sound equally from all directions, which is ideal for interviews where the microphone position may shift.

Is the Sennheiser MD 42 suitable for outdoor use?

Yes, the MD 42 is specifically built for outdoor reporting and broadcast. Its rugged construction and capsule design are engineered to minimise the impact of wind and handling noise.

Does the Sennheiser MD 42 require phantom power?

No, the MD 42 is a dynamic microphone. It does not require batteries or 48V phantom power to operate, making it highly reliable for field work.

What is the typical price range for this microphone?

The Sennheiser MD 42 is typically priced around £174. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and specific region.

Why does the MD 42 have a long body design?

The elongated body is designed for ergonomics and practical use during reporting. It allows the interviewer to reach the subject more easily and provides a comfortable grip that helps reduce handling noise.

How does the MD 42 handle noisy environments?

The MD 42 is tuned for high speech intelligibility. Even in busy or loud environments, the microphone is designed to ensure clear and isolated speech reproduction for broadcast purposes.

Can the MD 42 be used for singing?

While designed for reporting, it is a high-quality vocal microphone. It has been used by professional vocalists, most notably Whitney Houston, for live performances.

How does the MD 42 compare to the Sennheiser MD 441-U?

The MD 42 is an omnidirectional microphone designed for reporting, whereas the MD 441-U is a supercardioid microphone known for its studio-quality precision and high feedback rejection.

Is the MD 42 better than a Shure SM58 for interviews?

For handheld interviews, the MD 42 is often preferred because its omnidirectional pattern avoids the 'proximity effect' bass boost and is more forgiving of off-axis movement than the cardioid SM58.

What is included in the 'rugged construction' of the MD 42?

The rugged construction refers to a durable metal housing and a capsule mounting system specifically designed to protect against the physical shocks and weather conditions encountered in field reporting.

Does this microphone work for recording instruments?

While it can record instruments, it is specifically voiced for speech. For instruments, microphones like the Shure SM57 or Sennheiser e906 are generally more common choices.

What makes the MD 42 different from the Sennheiser e935?

The MD 42 is an omnidirectional microphone intended for broadcast reporting, while the e935 is a cardioid microphone designed specifically for lead vocals on loud musical stages to prevent feedback.

Gear article

Sennheiser MD 42

The Sennheiser MD 42 is a professional dynamic microphone designed specifically for ENG (Electronic News Gathering) and reporting applications. Featuring an omnidirectional pickup pattern and a rugged, elongated chassis, it is engineered to deliver high speech intelligibility in challenging outdoor broadcast environments.

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Overview and Purpose

The Sennheiser MD 42 is a specialised dynamic microphone tailored for the demands of field reporting and broadcast journalism. Unlike standard stage microphones that often utilise cardioid patterns to reject off-axis sound, the MD 42 employs an omnidirectional capsule. This design choice ensures that the microphone captures natural speech regardless of the precise angle at which it is held, making it an essential tool for fast-paced interviews where the subject or the reporter may move unexpectedly.

Design and Construction

Built for the rigours of outdoor use, the MD 42 features a rugged construction designed to withstand the elements and the physical demands of mobile reporting. A notable feature of its physical design is the extra-long body, which facilitates easier handling during interviews and allows the reporter to maintain a comfortable distance while keeping the microphone close to the sound source. The internal design focuses on minimising technical interference, specifically targeting the reduction of wind noise and handling noise that frequently plague outdoor recordings.

Audio Performance

The primary sonic objective of the MD 42 is speech intelligibility. In busy or loud environments, the microphone is tuned to ensure clear and isolated speech reproduction. Despite its omnidirectional nature, its capsule design helps maintain focus on the human voice. The dynamic element provides a reliable, consistent response that requires no external phantom power, ensuring it remains operational in varied field conditions. While primarily a broadcast tool, its high-quality reproduction has seen it utilised in live vocal contexts by legendary artists such as Whitney Houston.

Market Comparison

Within the Sennheiser catalogue, the MD 42 serves as a specialized alternative to vocal microphones like the e935 or e945, which use cardioid and supercardioid patterns respectively for stage feedback rejection. Compared to industry standards like the Shure SM58 or Beta 58A, the MD 42 offers a distinct advantage in interview settings due to its omnidirectional pick-up, which lacks the proximity effect (bass boost when close) found in cardioid models. While the Electro-Voice RE20 is a staple for stationary studio broadcast, the MD 42 is the mobile counterpart designed for handheld field use.

Artists who play it

Whitney Houston
Music Producer

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary polar pattern of the Sennheiser MD 42?: The Sennheiser MD 42 features an omnidirectional polar pattern. This means it picks up sound equally from all directions, which is ideal for interviews where the microphone position may shift.
Is the Sennheiser MD 42 suitable for outdoor use?: Yes, the MD 42 is specifically built for outdoor reporting and broadcast. Its rugged construction and capsule design are engineered to minimise the impact of wind and handling noise.
Does the Sennheiser MD 42 require phantom power?: No, the MD 42 is a dynamic microphone. It does not require batteries or 48V phantom power to operate, making it highly reliable for field work.
What is the typical price range for this microphone?: The Sennheiser MD 42 is typically priced around £174. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and specific region.
Why does the MD 42 have a long body design?: The elongated body is designed for ergonomics and practical use during reporting. It allows the interviewer to reach the subject more easily and provides a comfortable grip that helps reduce handling noise.
How does the MD 42 handle noisy environments?: The MD 42 is tuned for high speech intelligibility. Even in busy or loud environments, the microphone is designed to ensure clear and isolated speech reproduction for broadcast purposes.
Can the MD 42 be used for singing?: While designed for reporting, it is a high-quality vocal microphone. It has been used by professional vocalists, most notably Whitney Houston, for live performances.
How does the MD 42 compare to the Sennheiser MD 441-U?: The MD 42 is an omnidirectional microphone designed for reporting, whereas the MD 441-U is a supercardioid microphone known for its studio-quality precision and high feedback rejection.
Is the MD 42 better than a Shure SM58 for interviews?: For handheld interviews, the MD 42 is often preferred because its omnidirectional pattern avoids the 'proximity effect' bass boost and is more forgiving of off-axis movement than the cardioid SM58.
What is included in the 'rugged construction' of the MD 42?: The rugged construction refers to a durable metal housing and a capsule mounting system specifically designed to protect against the physical shocks and weather conditions encountered in field reporting.
Does this microphone work for recording instruments?: While it can record instruments, it is specifically voiced for speech. For instruments, microphones like the Shure SM57 or Sennheiser e906 are generally more common choices.
What makes the MD 42 different from the Sennheiser e935?: The MD 42 is an omnidirectional microphone intended for broadcast reporting, while the e935 is a cardioid microphone designed specifically for lead vocals on loud musical stages to prevent feedback.