I held the same opinion until recently. I've got 2x 421 ii's and 2x 421 u's. I'd only ever used the ii's on toms and was never really stoked, even given the reputation of the mic. I decided to finally try the u's on my last session and they are decidedly better in my opinion.
Totally agree that they are big and clumsy, though!
ah, ok, so yeah, I've mostly used the II, although I do recall using the U on a few occasions, although I didn't even realize I was using a different mic as I was using them for completely different things. Never miked up any drums with anything other than a II.
thanks for the info.
OG 421s sound very good, 80s SM7s sound very good, BUT
I never liked the 421 MK2 to record anything with. Didn’t like it on floor tom. Not on guitar amp or blended guitar mics. Sold it with zero regrets. And then I found a 70s 421 and it is useable on about anything.
SM7Bs are okay. Maybe podcasting or narration, but it’s not the SM7 mic MJ recorded with. Noticeable difference, and would tell anyone vocals, kick, or podcasting that RE-20 is better mic
I’ve tried a bunch of other things and have mostly settled on a SM57 as a “primary” mic and a MD421 as a “supporting” one, which is kind of funny since the 421 is several times the cost of a 57.
But, they pick up almost everything you want, am very little you don’t, on a cab. Perfect mic for the job.
CalciteSnapper
