Heil PR40

What Is Heil PR40

The Heil PR40 is a well-respected dynamic microphone. It is renowned for its excellent performance for recording Vocals, kick and snare drums, electric instruments, cabinets, and live performances. It is especially well-suited to pod-casting and voice-overs, being deemed the ‘Holy Grail’ for such applications. 

The genius of Bob Heil is evident in the PR40’s design. It is out of the ordinary and ensures sound with ultra-low noise and distortion levels due to its accurate pattern control, built from Heil’s decades of experience in mic design. 

Its large dynamic element produces a warm, articulate, and natural sound. Thanks to its low mass, efficient NdFeB magnet structure, and sizable diaphragm, it offers a wide dynamic range and can handle high sound pressure levels, making it an ideal choice for capturing kick drums. 

The Heil PR-40 is well-known for being a great condenser microphone but still offers the power of a dynamic microphone.

Main Features Of The Dynamic Mic

• Large 1.5 inch aluminum diaphragm
• Wide frequency response
• End fire Cardioid pattern
• Industry-leading -40 dB of rear rejection
• Low distortion
• Low handling noise
• Natural articulation
• Steel Housing
• Metal grill plus another second and finer foam windscreen

Sound Quality

The sound quality of the Heil PR40 is unparalleled, providing a clear and rich output. The PR40 has a wide frequency response, capturing high and low frequencies with no distortion. It has an incredibly low noise level, so you don’t have to worry about background noise getting in the way. The cardioid pickup pattern also helps to isolate vocals, giving your recordings a professional sound. 

The PR40 is a great choice for podcasters, as it naturally captures the human voice and produces a studio-quality sound. Its warm and smooth response helps to soften high frequencies and give your recordings a polished sound. With the Heil PR40, you can enjoy recording with clarity and richness unmatched by other microphones. 

Design & Build

The Heil Sound PR-40 Microphone is a heavy-duty microphone weighing only 13.5 oz. It is a similar size to the SM7. Despite its end-address design, it looks like a traditional side-address large-diaphragm condenser. 

Its steel body is finished with satin plating, and the signal is outputted via a balanced XLR. It comes with a swivel adapter and a small, foam-lined aluminum case and is adorned with a paper banner that reminds the user of its strength. 

The dynamic cap with a large diameter is connected to a Sorbothane shock absorber to detach it from the heavy-steel frame. It features dual mesh screens of varying diameters to capture sound waves, while the proximity bass boost is minimized to suit a pressure gradient mic. 

In addition to its internal features, the Heil Sound PR-40 Microphone has been crafted with custom magnet metals. This enables it to be connected to a boom arm, mic stand, and other equipment that adjusts the microphone’s position according to your setup. 

Ease Of Use

If you are a novice in audio equipment, setting up the Heil PR40 for the first time is relatively easy with the essential accessories provided by Heil Sounds. Experienced audio enthusiasts will also find the setup process to be quite intuitive.

Drawbacks Of Heil PR40

The Heil Sound PR-40 microphone may not be sensitive to background noise, but acoustic treatment is still necessary. Additionally, it’s important to keep your computer as quiet as possible. 

Without a pop shield, the sound levels and outputs in the mic can vary depending on the distance of the sound source. To get the best sound, it is vital to have a pop filter in place when the sound source is less than three inches away from the mic grille. By including a good pop filter, the proximity effect is enhanced. 

Heil’s PR-40 mic is more expensive than other microphones, so some buyers may have better choices. Still, those who have bought it have commended its value for the price.

Final Verdict

The Heil Sound PR-40 Microphone is ideal for anyone looking for a dynamic mic that can capture high sound pressure levels without distortion. It has a wide frequency response and a cardioid pattern, making it suitable for recording vocals, guitars, kick drums, bass instruments, and guitar cabs. With its durable design and excellent sound quality, the Heil PR-40 Microphone is a perfect choice for anyone who wants to take their setup to the next level.

PROS	CONS
Excellent noise cancellation	Expensive
Robust construction for long-term use.	No gain control
Smooth, articulate sound.	Necessity of acoustic treatment and pop filter
Wide frequency range for deep bass.
Improved sound clarity by reducing ambient noise.

This Heil Sound PR 40 microphone may not be ideal for professional recording, but it is an excellent option if you need a reliable, durable mic that produces quality sound. It’s an ideal microphone, to begin with, if you’re starting.