Sennheiser MD504 vs current “e604”

[alexdingley]

I recall, waaaaay back in the late 90’s, when I was first learning about recording, that a studio tech once told me that using the small MD504 on toms was great, because they had a very MD421mkii quality about them, but they were smaller and easier to tuck into a kit.

So, over the years, I’ve kept my eyes open for them on eBay and Reverb... but I rarely see them for sale. I see tons of e604 mics for sale... but never MD504’s.

I typically presume the lack of availability on used sites means that something is worth hanging on to.

Can anyone speak to experiences with either / both models. I know the form factor is nearly identical, but are the newer ones using the same capsules / parts, or is this a “they don’t make em like they used to.” situation?

[I'm Painting Again]

I've never tried the 504

looking at the published freq response and polar pattern diagrams briefly they look almost identical

I don't think it'd matter much?

easy to compensate for differences if they are similar sounding in the real world at least

I like the e609 silver on tom top or bottoms although they are a little difficult to position on tops - and kinda big in comarison to the 604

the 421 is great like every time - and on most sources too - they sound better to me on toms soloed but it seems to not matter as much in a mix

[The Scum]

My recollection is that the 504 was the successful member of the 500 family, so it was continued into the 600s. The colors changed a bit, the clip on holder was redesigned, and the bags are different.

I have 504's and 604's and use them interchangeably.

They all have ridiculous proximity effect - great for toms. Thy singing into one, and it's a woofy mess!

[alexdingley]

Just went to google search "Sennheiser MD504", to find the response plots / details...

Now I'm just laughing at myself, because the 3rd result in google was a TapeOp Messageboard thread from 2006... started by me... asking, basically the same question... and getting fairly similar answers.

So, clearly these mics have been on my mind for a while. Just decided to grab a bunch of them from a Reverb seller... so hopefully my curiosity will be satisfied, and my next drum recording session (in a few weeks) will be a huge hit.

[The Scum]

Here's a link from Senheiser themselves. The capsule is supposedly the same, the housing refined a bit.

https://en-de.sennheiser.com/the-evolut ... and-snares

I'll have to see if I can spot the difference they mention in the "more elegant" XLR connection...

[alexdingley]

We did our recording session last weekend, and I used the trio of e604 mics... they were fantastic, for my needs. On our last project, I'd used Audix D2/D4 mics on the toms... for this project I used 3 604's on the top 3 toms, and an EV RE20 on the floor tom — holy crap! Very very happy with the drum sounds, and blown away with the RE20 on floor tom.

I also found a virgin, but vintage set of 3 EV N/D408B's — and they were alright, but the vibe of the Sennheisers was more to my liking.

[standup]

EV 408's are useful mics. Pretty natural/neutral. I use them for guitar amps a lot, after I saw a real engineer in a real studio using them and getting great sounds.

[drumsound]

EV 408's are useful mics. Pretty natural/neutral. I use them for guitar amps a lot, after I saw a real engineer in a real studio using them and getting great sounds.

I used a 408 on a guitar amp last weekend. I hadn't used it in a while, and damn if it didn't sound great.

[alexdingley]

I used a 408 on a guitar amp last weekend. I hadn't used it in a while, and damn if it didn't sound great.

Noted! I’m probably gonna sell these off, because I typically use my Beyerdynamic m160’s, but I’m tracking guitars in a few weeks, so I’ll give these a spin.

[drumsound]

I used a 408 on a guitar amp last weekend. I hadn't used it in a while, and damn if it didn't sound great.

Noted! I’m probably gonna sell these off, because I typically use my Beyerdynamic m160’s, but I’m tracking guitars in a few weeks, so I’ll give these a spin.

I'll be interested to hear what you think.

They are also useful to have around for really tight drum set ups.

[AndersonSoundRecording]

I've not used the 504, but have used the e604.

That said, in general, I've preferred the e904 to the e604 on toms.

[alexdingley]

I'll be interested to hear what you think.

They are also useful to have around for really tight drum set ups.

Well, I was fairly blown away at how wonderful the 408 sounded on a guitar amp in a live stage setup. I think I’m gonna hang on to 1 or 2 of these. Bought 3, so I’ll be selling one soon.