Primacoustic CG421 CrashGuard

Cymbal bleed is one of the most persistent problems in drum recording. Overhead cymbals are loud, aggressive, and omnidirectional — their sound finds its way into every microphone on the kit, including the snare, tom, and kick mics. This bleed limits how much you can process each drum independently in the mix. Bring up the snare attack and you bring up cymbal harshness. The CG421 CrashGuard is designed specifically to reduce this problem at the source — engineered for the Sennheiser MD421, one of the most widely used drum microphones in professional recording.

Built for the MD421

The CG421 features a dual mounting point design that accommodates the MD421's unique form factor and allows the boom stand to be pointed either up or down for optimal placement around the kit. This flexibility matters when working around hi-hats, crashes, and ride cymbals that sit at different heights and angles over different drums. While designed specifically for the MD421, the CG421 is also compatible with many other popular drum microphones using a standard clip mount.

How It Works

The shield mounts between the drum microphone and the cymbal above it, blocking direct cymbal sound from reaching the mic capsule. The construction uses high-impact ABS plastic tough enough to take a direct drumstick hit without cracking or deforming. The underside is fully coated with high-density open-cell foam that absorbs internal reflections and reduces phase cancellation caused by sound bouncing off the shield's interior back into the microphone.

An extended cable cutout runs along the edge, allowing the microphone to be articulated and repositioned for precise placement without removing the shield.

What It Does for Your Mix

Reducing cymbal bleed into drum mics gives engineers significantly more control over each drum's individual sound. With less cymbal content in the snare or tom mic, you can push attack and presence without simultaneously accentuating cymbal harshness.

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