VINTAGE Sennheiser MD 42 1955 DYNAMIC

SENNHEISER MD 42 DYNAMIC MICROPHONE

designed for the demanding world of professional broadcasting, the Sennheiser MD 42 became a trusted tool for reporters, interviewers, and field recording engineers who required reliability under real-world conditions. Its distinctive compact shape, robust metal construction, and unique acoustic design helped establish it as one of Sennheiser's most practical handheld broadcast microphones. Decades later, the MD 42 remains an excellent choice not only for speech applications but also for musicians and recording enthusiasts seeking the focused midrange character and rugged construction of classic German dynamic microphones.

OPTICAL CONDITION

Good vintage condition.

This example shows some paint wear on the lower portion of the body from decades of professional use. The grille and mesh remain exceptionally clean, and the remaining paint is well preserved with no significant scratches, dents, cracks, or impact damage. Overall, the microphone presents very well and retains the purposeful appearance expected from a professional broadcast tool.

TECHNICAL CONDITION

Fully functional.

The microphone has been tested and performs exactly as intended, delivering strong output and the characteristic sound quality associated with the MD 42.

THIS ITEM INCLUDES

• Custom hard case

BUILD & DESIGN

The MD 42 features a compact and practical design developed specifically for handheld broadcasting and ENG (Electronic News Gathering) applications. Its solid metal housing provides excellent durability while maintaining comfortable handling during long recording sessions.

This example retains its original large Tuchel connector, making it particularly appealing to collectors and users of vintage German broadcast equipment. The clean grille and mesh demonstrate how well this microphone has been preserved throughout its lifetime.

One of the microphone's most distinctive features is its special acoustic construction, which minimizes proximity effect and allows for remarkably consistent tonal balance even during close-miking. The result is a controlled, articulate midrange response that remains highly usable for both voice and musical applications.

Capsule

The MD 42 employs a dynamic cardioid capsule engineered to provide excellent speech intelligibility while reducing unwanted background noise. The directional pickup pattern helps isolate the intended source and makes the microphone suitable for both field reporting and close-miking applications.

Circuit

As a passive moving-coil dynamic microphone, the MD 42 requires no external power source. Its simple and robust internal design contributes to its excellent reliability and long service life.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Type: Dynamic

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Frequency Response: 200 Hz – 10,000 Hz

Sensitivity: Approx. 2.0 mV/Pa at 1 kHz

Impedance: 200 Ω

Output: Balanced, large Tuchel connector

Weight: Approx. 135 g

Years of Production: 1970s–1980s

Country of Manufacture: Germany

SOUND CHARACTERISTICS

The MD 42 delivers a focused and natural sound character that was specifically developed for professional speech reproduction. Voices are reproduced with excellent clarity and strong intelligibility, while the cardioid pattern helps reduce ambient noise in challenging environments.

Beyond broadcasting and interviews, the MD 42 can be surprisingly effective on vintage drum recordings, electric piano, guitar amplifiers, percussion, and other midrange-focused sources where its natural character and excellent rejection can be put to good use.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

Estimated Frequency Response:

200 Hz – 10,000 Hz

• Controlled low-frequency response
• Strong vocal intelligibility in the upper midrange
• Minimal proximity effect during close use
• Smooth high-frequency roll-off above 8–10 kHz

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