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Sennheiser Electronics Corporation MD 431 II

Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone

The MD 431 II is Sennheiser’s premium handheld dynamic vocal microphone. It is a revision to the original MD-431, and features higher sensitivity and a smoother frequency response.

The MD 431-II, like the original, has a metal body with a removable, washable grille. Both versions of the mic have a silent, lockable on/off switch on the microphone body.

Like all of Sennheiser’s stage vocal mics, the MD 431-II has a humbucking coil to reduce EMI/RFI noise.

The mic’s Supercardioid polar pattern is very consistent across frequencies, until 16kHz where it narrows significantly. The published frequency plot shows a 90° trace that is an even 6–8dB below the on-axis plot, indicating that the mic does not suffer from off-axis coloration.

Mix 2005
[Live engineer Ian Beveridge on using the 431 II with Foo Fighters]
A lot of companies manufacture a spike in the mic response, but I wanted something that was totally flat. The 431 is the flattest vocal mic I’ve ever heard, even flatter than a lot of condensers. You can make it sound however you like. And it’s amazingly smooth.

The original “ProfiPower” MD 431 was in production during the 80’s and 90’s. These are sometimes found with just the “ProfiPower” branding sans model number.
The original had a larger plastic switch, and silver grille.

The Sennheiser Electronics Corporation MD 431 II is also known as: MD431, 431.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
CHART Supercardioid (2.2 mV/Pa; 40 - 18,000 Hz)

Coil Diameter	Impedance	SPL/Noise
n/a	250 Ohms (Low)	SPL n/a

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
230g (8.11oz)	200mm (7.87'')	49mm (1.93'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications

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