Heil Sound PR40 Review
Large Diaphragm Multipurpose Dynamic Microphone
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 2,060 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the Heil Sound PR40. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the Heil Sound PR40. For example, 84% of 98 users who have commented on the Value for money of the Heil Sound PR40 have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 37 Reviews
Excellent for Broadcast & Podcast Uses
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Paul on B&H Photo Video
I use PR-40s for recording the Bloodthirsty Vegetarians podcast. In my headphones I'm listening to the conversation with my producer Rich over Skype, and we're recording our sides separately, to be edited together. He gooses the EQ slightly at about 60 Hz and 5.5 KHz and it sounds quite NPR-like. It sits well alongside the audio from his mic that he records in his studio, using a much more expensive Shure KSM-44. But for me, the big advantage to the PR-40 is that it is very good for less-than-perfect recording environments -- and most home studio rooms of the type that I can afford are anything but perfect. I've got foam and bass traps up on the walls and doors, but there is still a computer in the same room, even though it is behind a foam baffle. The condensers I've used always pick up a little more of the computer noise than I'd like. The null point behind the PR-40 gives a much deeper cut than most condensers, and it really is excellent at rejecting background sound. I keep the computer directly _behind_ the mic, a few feet away, and there's almost no noise left to remove. I wish I had bought one of these sooner and not spent so much time and money messing with condensers for this application! I have a Reflexion filter but I don't bother with it when using this mic; the mic by itself rejects computer noise better than my Oktava MK-319 did with the filter. Downsides: it's fairly large; the shock mount and pop filters available are fairly expensive, relative to the cost of the mic itself; it may not be very good for voiceover because it's _end_-address, and it's hard to read something with the mic sticking in your face. Even with the pop filter, you can get pops with this mic, although it isn't nearly as touchy as some condensers. You'll want a good preamp and a fair amount of gain; I'm giving it 60 dB of gain with an Apogee Ensemble and it sounds great. ... More
great for bass cabs, but hit or miss elsewhere
Heil Sound PR40 Large Diaphragm Multipurpose Dynamic Microphone
Reviewed by really? this is a mandatory question? on Guitar Center
i got this about 6 months ago and have used it on 3 recordings for 3 different bands so far. i bought it as an all around mic, i wanted to use it on kick drums, bass cabs, guitar cabs, and vocals. here are my results: on the first recording i used it on the beater side of the kick while pairing it with a Beta 52 on the inside. the overall result was just ok, but i blame that on the way the drummer tuned his kick drum. on that same recording i used it to mic the bass cab and everyone loved how it sounded. as i was getting sounds for guitars on that recording i put it on a cab with vintage 30s in it paired with a modified sm57. i solo'd them on playback the guitarist loved the 57 and said it was exactly the sound he was going for. i solo'd the heil and he said it was exactly the sound he was trying to avoid. i replaced the heil with a sennheiser E906 and blended it with the 57 and the guitarist was really happy with that. on the next recording i used it as the only mic for the kick and i put it inside the drum. as we were tracking i LOVED the sound, i kept telling people it was the best kick sound i ever got! unfortunately as the recording got on and i mixed more the kick somehow ended up sounding really flat and didn't stand out at all. i used it on the bass cab again for that recording and it sounded pretty good, the bass cut through the guitars on that recording really well, but this time i opted to not even try the heil on the guitar cab. i used it on vocals too. the band had 3 male vocalists and while it sounded good on 2 of them, it made the 3rd guy really hard to mix, it just did not go well with his voice. so for the 3rd recording with this i initially started out with the heil inside the kick drum. it sounded AWFUL. it sounded really tinny and metallic, so i found out the hardway that this mic will definitely NOT work out well in every kick situation. i put a beta 52 in the drum and it sounded great, the drummer was really happy. again i used it on a bass cab and it sounded beautiful, i was real happy with it. i did use it on guitar this time again paired with a SM57. the sm57 sounded a lot better. the sound i got with the heil was just ok, but i have that channel a lot lower in the mix than the 57. i tried using it on vocals for this project earlier today and again i got that metallic sound out of it. so i decided to try my AT3035 condenser instead and it was a lot better, much more clarity in the mix. overall, if you're willing to spend over $300 on a mic that will work GREAT on bass cabs, go for it, but keep in mind that on guitar cabs and kick drums it's a case by case basis. for vocals, i know it's marketed as good for broadcasting, which it probably is, but in a full band mix you will need something with more clarity. i'm not sure that i would definitely suggest to someone that they buy this mic. ... More
Truly Innovative Mic
Heil Sound PR40 Large Diaphragm Multipurpose Dynamic Microphone
Reviewed by Dave on Guitar Center
I'd been wanting to try Heil mics for some time now, and finally got the chance (or excuse, rather) to buy a PR40. To be perfectly honest, it took some getting used to this mic; its response is flat throughout the majority of the audio spectrum, with a boost in the 3K range. This meant that for the first time, I was hearing how instruments actually sounded, and it caught me off guard. Kick drums are rich and full, with boom and click; bass guitar is clear, clean, precisely what comes out of your amp. My favorite is on acoustic guitars; it made my beat up Washburn sound like a Taylor. None of the harshness of an SM57. Great signal rejection at the null points, although it is very sensitive directly behind the mic; seems to be between cardioid and hypercardioid. Built like a tank, nice carrying case. Includes mic clip, shockmount will cost you. Overall well worth the price. ... More
It's a beauty!!
Heil Sound PR40 Large Diaphragm Multipurpose Dynamic Microphone
Reviewed by Dave Mason on Guitar Center
I was referred to this mic by a co-worker and was lucky enough to do a comparison test at GC. I was blown away with this mic even without any voice processing. It's noise rejection is unbelievable, meaning a minimal amount of soundproofing is needed. It's an awesome mic for the value.
VO Work on Instructional Videos
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Emmett B on B&H Photo Video
I primarily use this mic for VO on company instructional videos. It has a generally flat response curve, making it ideal for adjusting your sound through an EQ. I also like its built-in shock isolation and pop filter. So I attach it directly to the mic arm using the provided hardware without anything extra. The accessory windscreen is relatively dense, so it being on or off does significantly affect the higher end. I'd say the PR40 a strong cardioid pickup pattern that requires the end of the mic to be pointed at the sound source (e.g. your mouth). Off-axis rejection is very good. Like all dynamics, the PR40's output will require a significant amount of preamp for voice work--around 60 dB in my case. I'm feeding a Universal Audio Apollo Twin that has a maximum 65 dB of preamp. So instead of turning it to 60 dB, I use a Triton FetHead between this mic and the Apollo. The FetHead is a class-A amplifier, and noise-free to my ears. This also means the Apollo pre is operating at a leisurely 30 dB of gain instead of 60 dB. The FetHead does require phantom power from your interface or mixer. Triton FetHead: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1245015-REG/triton_audio_fethead_in_line_microphone_preamp.html ... More
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A solid investment for any studio
Heil Sound PR40 Large Diaphragm Multipurpose Dynamic Microphone
Reviewed by Roger G on Guitar Center
The Heil Sound PR 40 Large Diaphragm Multipurpose Dynamic Microphone is the go-to mic in my project studio. We mostly shoot and edit HDV projects, but all of them require on camera talent, VOs and music and the PR 40 is magical. My studio has very little soundproofing, and backs up to our company's warehouse, but the PR 40 somehow blocks out unwanted sound while enhancing the sounds we want to record. A solid investment for any studio.
Beautifully crafted and very good build
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Dan on B&H Photo Video
This was my first dynamic microphone and I was very impressed with its performance. As with any other microphone its usefulness is largely dependent on your particular voice, your environment, and the manner of use e.g. speech, singing, instrument, etc. It's clear to see why this microphone is so popular with podcasters in other venues of the spoken word. It has a very clear and articulate representation of your voice. It does a very good job of canceling out off-axis noise. This in itself can be a huge benefit or depending on your method of use, it could also be considered a drawback. Still, it's hard to go wrong with this microphone unless of course you just want a different tone characteristic. Unfortunately, my particular voice is damaged after many years of abuse, so I actually needed something with a warmer presence. ... More
For podcasting, it's phenomenal
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by theoverwhelmedbrain on B&H Photo Video
As a podcaster, this mic is absolutely ideal. The main draw? It's designed to pull in only the sounds closest to the microphone. That way, I can keep my fan on in the background, or perhaps a motorcycle can rumble by, and the mic keeps its focus on me! I'm not an audiophile, so I can't give you specifics. All I can tell you is that it does exactly what I need, and makes me sound like a professional.
Heil PR40 microphone - a must have for bass
Heil Sound PR40 Large Diaphragm Multipurpose Dynamic Microphone
Reviewed by Kevin on Guitar Center
I purchased the Heil PR40 microphone for tracking Bass Amp (was previously using SM57 & various large & small condenser mics). The PR40 is amazing!!! My bass amp in the studio is reproduced in my DAW monitors perfectly -- clear and distinctive without mud, even in the low registers, lots of pleasant air on top. Recorded amp clean, slightly overdriven (fingers & pick), and funky slap bass. It's wonderful to record at higher amp levels at the sweet spot as the Heil PR40 is a dynamic mic that takes high SPL. In short, the Heil PR40 mic captures bass the way you hear it. Hard to believe it's a dynamic mic creating this sound. I have read many reviews stating that the PR40 mic is a new classic for bass drum and voice(I haven't tried that), but I know I have found my dream microphone for tracking Bass amp with the Heil PR40. ... More
Great for podcasting and other voice
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Amin Sabet on B&H Photo Video
I use this microphone for speech recognition, podcasting, Skype, Google voice, Google hangouts, and more. It offers outstanding clarity, noise rejection, and makes my voice sound richer than some other microphones do.My other microphone is a Shure Beta58A, which is a fantastic value, offering 80% of the performance at 50% of the price, but I can hear the difference. The Heil just makes me sound better. The PR40 also looks great, and the build quality seems to be superb. As is the case with other dynamic microphones, you'll need a good preamp to get quality sound. I've seen some negative reviews from people trying to hook this microphone up straight to the computer. That's not going to sound good!Negatives: I can't think of any, but if your budget is $, I recommend the Shure Beta58A.Bottom line: Highly recommended for voice applications. ... More
BLASTER VOICE FROM MEGA WORLD
Heil PR40 Dynamic Microphone
Reviewed by Terry L. on Reverb
I've been running a $2,500 Tube mic through a great pre amp and putting out strong voiceovers and jingles. This rig is about 6 years old. Then my engineer (Son) slams a Heil AND a Distressor into the chain and from the first 30 second voiceover, clients and station reps are ooing and ahhing at what a great talent I am. (Well in all modesty I must say .......blah blah) It's a great mic and it came in under the cost of the EV RE20 I was ogling. I'm keeping my Manley tube mic, cause I haven't tried it through the Distressor yet. But either way, Terry Loder Creative hit the sonic Worm Hole DOODS! ... More
Superb for voiceovers and communications. Versatile mic.
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Andrew on B&H Photo Video
I love this mic for voiceovers and podcast use. I use the optional foam cover as well. It has a rich sound that's resistant to plosive capture and being dynamic it captures very little background noise. The end-fire pattern also makes it great in a multi-mic environment such as a radio studio or podcast with guests in the room. You can get by with minimal room treatments. I find that all I really need to edit out after a VO recording is breaths between captured phrases. Highly recommend.
Impressed
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by nicholaswyoung on B&H Photo Video
To say I'm impressed with the dynamic qualities of this microphone is an understatement. I'm mainly using it for voiceover and announcing production, and while everyone's voice is different - and the quality of your vocal recordings may vary - this is the best microphone I've ever used, hands down. For a dynamic microphone, it's sensitivity is unparalleled. At times, you'll think it's a condenser. In short, I suggest you at least give it a shot. Plug it in, and speak. Prepare to be impressed.
Too Much Hype
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Z1 on B&H Photo Video
I tested many Microphones and currently use some Heil mics, But this Model Pr-40 is way over Hyped. It sounds ok if you like that condenser type sound. I do think it has way to much high end and not enough low end kick, this Pr-40 Cannot and will not out Outperform a EV RE20 the RE20 blows it away hands down. Also the pr40 has too much handling noise and it needs a pop filter. I would say the PR-30 by Heil was a little more tamer, a lot less high end tone to it. But even the Pr-30 Cannot Outperform the Ev RE-20. The Shure SM7B would be my number two choice on the A+list. Note: you do need a big preamp with lots of gain to drive RE20 and SM7b. All testing was done for FM broadcasting. ... More
Amazed!!
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Mike on B&H Photo Video
I've heard many high praises for the PR 40, but never paid much attention. Then, finally, I had the need for a better mic, and I started looking around at all the microphones out there and I saw the PR 40. I thought I'd take a chance and buy it without being able to try it first (due to everything being closed because of COVID-19). What the heck, why not? I was blown away! What a difference it makes! I paired it with an XLR to USB interface so I could connect it to a computer. Now I sound like a million bucks! Use one and you won't want to use ANYTHING else. ... More
Really SUPER mike for Hi-Fi SSB
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Eugene on B&H Photo Video
I am using this microphone with my Ham Radio transceiver. the great thing is that very low freq. response is just perfect , as high frequency and dynamic range is extremal! Best condenser only microphones can compete with this unit ,which doesn't require DC bias , like condensers.Applied with EQPlus equalizer - gives perfect results!!!
Heil PR40 Dynamic Microphone
Reviewed by Dale O. on Reverb
used it on kick drum. really brings out a nice accurate realistic true character with tight low and solid attack but not hyped. took eq to fatten it up or sculpt the tone well. used it side address on the kick, i know its supposed to be end address but it sounded better turned upright, but also end address sounded good from a ways away. good utility mic for any kind of drums, did a big djembe with it too, and any other loud sounds. just nice, straightforward simple utilitarian sound
Great On Kick Drum & Bass Cabs
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Magnetic Eye on B&H Photo Video
I purchased the PR40 primarily to be used on Kick Drum. I'm as happy with it as I am with my Beyer M88 and Audix D6 in terms of giving a well defined solid bottom end and clear attack that we all expect from a well recorded Kick Drum. Great on Bass cabs too. The PR40 is a professional tool and hopefully prove to be quite versatile. Can't wait to try it on other sources.
Good mic
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by Josh on B&H Photo Video
Good mic, just not exactly what I was looking for. It sounds good on several sources but for Voice Over I found that I really liked the sound of most condensor mics better. Placement was a little tricky with my sE Electronics Reflexion filter because it is an end address mic. Quality of mic is very good.
Excellent Mic for the $$
Heil Sound Heil PR 40 Broadcaster Package Kit with Shockmount, Foam Windscreen & Broadcast Arm (Gold)
Reviewed by grant on B&H Photo Video
I wanted as good voice over mic for my video productions. I had intended to purchase a RE-20 and instead, bought the Heil PR40 on a recommendation. I couldn't be happier. This mic is a real sleeper in the voice over market. And the build quality seems excellent, giving the feel of a much more expensive mic.
