Heil Dynamic Microphones - PR Series

[cdog]

OK, so Ive never tried Heil mics before.

So, Im checking out the Heil Mics PR series on the website, here:

PR Series Microphones | Heil Sound

Now, Im trying to figure out what mics would make sense for which applications.

PR20: vocals and snare

PR22: live use, broadcast

but whats the difference between these mics? I cant figure it out....

Then the PR35: this probably interests me the most, but I know little....

PR30 and PR40 also seem similar, with similar specs. The website says the PR30 is the best for guitar and toms, and Ive read that the PR40 is great for kick drums. But then I see Adam Jones ising the PR30 as a live vocal mic. Hmmmm.

The guys from Isis said (from Heil website): "The PR20 is the absolute best snare and rack tom microphone and the PR30 kills on the floor tom. We also use the PR20 on vocals, PR30's on guitar and PR40 on bass."

From a Performing Songwriter review:

"What makes the Heil Sound PR30 and PR40 mics unique is that they look and
perform like high-quality studio vocal condensers but are actually large-diaphragm
dynamic mics. They give you the same sound quality as high-end condensers
without the need for phantom power, and for less money. We compared both
mics against a popular, time-tested studio condenser on acoustic guitar and male
vocals. Surprisingly, the Heil mics beat out the condenser in every test.
The PR30 is a clean, clear mic that picks up transients (vocal dynamics, pick noise,
etc.) very well. Its sound is well defi ned—crisp but not artifi cially so. The PR40
exhibits most of the same characteristics but with a slightly deeper bottom and a
really sweet top end. I would characterize the PR30 as slightly more “mid-rangy”
and the PR40 as slightly “fuller.” I actually preferred the PR30 on acoustic guitar
(it picked up the primary tones of the instrument more distinctly) and the PR40 on
male vocals (it did a slightly better job of picking up chest resonance).
Our only frustration with either mic was that the PR40’s cable receptacle was too
small for most of mic cables we tried to use with it. We did not have this problem
with the PR30."


Then there is the Handi Mic Pro Plus, which looks like it could be a great spot mic.

Im looking for something that can be a durable, all around dynamic that could be used for live and studio vocals, snare, guitar, percussion.... not sure where to start, and from what Ive heard they are all great mics given the right context...

I think Im going to order two Heil mics to try, between the PR20, PR22, PR30 and PR35, and leaning towards the latter two. Suggestions?

Another GS Heil Thread

[big country]

buttery mics

[warhead]

PR20: vocals and snare

PR22: live use, broadcast

but whats the difference between these mics? I cant figure it out....

The shock system inside the mic, otherwise they are identical.

Then the PR35: this probably interests me the most, but I know little....

Im looking for something that can be a durable, all around dynamic that could be used for live and studio vocals, snare, guitar, percussion.... not sure where to start, and from what Ive heard they are all great mics given the right context...

I think Im going to order two Heil mics to try, between the PR20, PR22, PR30 and PR35, and leaning towards the latter two. Suggestions?[/quote]

The PR35 has the same capsule as the PR30. For your needs, I would certainly try the PR35. I must admit I have not compared the two, Alan here felt that the PR35 offered a very similar sound but with maybe a touch more top end to it vs the PR30. Since live vocals are an interest of yours, I would certainly say it's worth a shot.

The PR22 (PR20 will be discontinued by the way) has a smoother top end response (somewhat darker) but still a very full body to it that works well on voice, some cabs etc. It would be a complement to the PR35 for sure. It will deliver body on snare, but not much crack, so consider that.

n/a

You could always pick up one of each, figure out what rocks for you, then exchange one if you decide you want two of the same?

War

[M.Wilson]

I've only used the PR20 once, on snare, but it did an excellent job.

The PR40 is great on kick, and I've used it on guitar cabs and vocals and was quite happy with sound. Especially when compared to the RE-20 (which it seems the PR40 was designed to compete with), the PR40 is clearer/crisper and not as aggressive in the high end.

[swafford]

I've not used it, but a friend and Heil aficionado tells me the PR35 is the best live vocal mic he's ever used. Its a near purchase for me.

I own the PR20, PR40, Heritage and Finn (PR20 in a really cool mount that glows blue) live and in the studio. The PR20, as War points alludes to, is a noisy hand held mic, but works great for live vocals in a stand. For recording I use it on snare and on guitar cabs when I need some aggressive mids. The PR40 is a great live vocal mic also and also I use it when I'm doing live vocals (well, before I bought an SM7). For recording I use it in on bass cabs or kick drum, depending on what my M88 is being used for.

Heil mics are well built and a great value. Great article on the man in Tape Op this month.

[jasonraboin]

I have used all of the Heil mics a lot. I pushed Bob to make the 30 into a handheld version to use on vocals for Joan Baez. That is where the 35 comes from. The 35 has a touch more of the presence peak in the 4-5k range. I don't think this is due to capsule or electronic differences, but due to housing differences. The 35 also has a lot less handling noise than the 30. If I were just buying one, I would get a 35.

I use the 22 on snare when the drummer hits hard and consistently. I use the 30 or 35 for snare when the drummer plays with more dynamics, or brushes. For example, I use the 35 on Jeremiah Greene's snare and a 22 on Joe Plummer's (Modest Mouse drummers).

I use the 30 on guitar amps to get a true representation of what the amp sounds like. If I want to darken it a little or add some character, I would add a second mic to blend with it - like a Beyer M160.

The 40 is a very true, flat, fast dynamic mic. If the drum is tuned well, it sounds fantastic on kick drum. It is not forgiving or homogenizing like an Audix D6 or Shure B52.

For toms, Bob sent me some prototypes that I just love. They have a warm, fuzzy sound, excellent mounting hardware, and require no eq. They sound more real to me than an e604 or e904, and warmer than a beta 98.

[awagner08]

What Modest Mouse albums have you worked on? There are certain ones that I absolutely LOVE. I'm very curious!

[s.d.finley]

I have a PR20 and enjoy using it on snare. Sometimes the mic on snare will be a toss up between the PR20 and M201. Dependent on type of snare and style of music, usually its the M201.

PR20 also works well with vocals and electric guitars. For the GTR's I blend with other mics too. So its not the PR20 all by its lonesome.

I bought the Pink model to support Breast Cancer research.