- Generating element: Copper-wound dynamic with neodymium magnet structure
- Body: Steel body with zinc die-cast bottom ring
- Frequency response: 28Hz to 18kHz
- Impedance: 600 ohms balanced
- Output level: -53.9dB @ 1,000 Hz
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Product Description
The Heil PR 40 represents completely new dynamic microphone technology designed for a wide range of professional applications such as sophisticated recording, live sound, and commercial broadcast. Producing the widest frequency range available in a dynamic microphone, the PR 40 outperforms most condenser microphones, and can withstand huge amounts of SPL. At the same time, it maintains the 25 year Heil Sound tradition of superbly natural voice articulation.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By M. Rahim
Amazon Verified Purchase
I waited a year to shell out the money for the PR-40 and it was worth it. Its an amazing microphone. I use it to record lectures for my anNasiha podcast. I highly recommend you buy the Spider Shock Mount along with the PR-40. There really isn't anything more to say about this mic. I haven't tried the RE-20 which seams to be in its class but from what I've experienced working with this mic I'd highly recommend it.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Socrates
The microphone I was using (for voice-over) prior to buying the PR40 was a Blue Yeti. Now while that is a great microphone I don't exactly have the best recording environment so I had to put it in a portable "vocal booth" (essentially a foam box). Even then the Yeti would do what condensers do and pick up noise other than my voice. I wanted to eliminate that unwanted noise and that portable booth so I started looking around for a solution. Dynamics seemed like my best bet and fortunately there are a number of great broadcast dynamics out there. Why did I choose the PR40 over, say, a RE20/SM7b/MD 421-II? Well, let's get into specifics.
Extended frequency response. 28Hz-18Khz. My voice predominantly resides in the lower frequencies so I wanted to capture as much of that as I could while still not being overly muddy/bassy/muddled etc. I also don't have a whole lot of high end so it's nice that the mic can capture what little I have while also amplifying it (Heil mics have a "articulation bump"). The PR40 amplifies everything from around 1.5Khz to 12Khz. This is both good and bad. On one hand I believe this (along with that extended low end) is why the sound provided by the PR40 is compared to condensers. Broadcast dynamics typically have over-hyped lows and mids (think of radio voices). This bump is bad because it amplifies the frequencies where sibilance lies. Mouth noises might also be made worse by it. However, when you find the right distance (odds are no more than 6 inches away) it captures speech beautifully. Run it through a tube preamp if you want to make it even sweeter. Speaking of preamps...
You're going to want 60db of gain. You can make do with 40db but you're going to be talking right up on that mic to get decent levels. This can easily make your recordings far too bass heavy. I'm using a Shure X2u with my PR40 and if I want to get a good signal to noise ratio in a noisy environment I've gotta talk within a couple inches of the mic. I should also mention that you shouldn't talk directly into the microphone without some kind of pop filter or training to lessen the force of your plosives. While the mic does have integrated pop filters they don't work magic like you find with a RE20. It is possible to talk within a inch or two of the mic without popping though, just talk across it rather than directly at it.
As a parting bit of information I will say that the PR40 offers good off axis rejection. I have to worry less about airplanes, the sounds of people talking, birds, etc. and can just focus on recording. It's actually very liberating not needing to pause every time an airplane passes overhead. Ideally I'd just buy/make a silent space so I could then be free to pick a microphone that best suits my voice, but until then the Heil PR40 is a great solution.
Extended frequency response. 28Hz-18Khz. My voice predominantly resides in the lower frequencies so I wanted to capture as much of that as I could while still not being overly muddy/bassy/muddled etc. I also don't have a whole lot of high end so it's nice that the mic can capture what little I have while also amplifying it (Heil mics have a "articulation bump"). The PR40 amplifies everything from around 1.5Khz to 12Khz. This is both good and bad. On one hand I believe this (along with that extended low end) is why the sound provided by the PR40 is compared to condensers. Broadcast dynamics typically have over-hyped lows and mids (think of radio voices). This bump is bad because it amplifies the frequencies where sibilance lies. Mouth noises might also be made worse by it. However, when you find the right distance (odds are no more than 6 inches away) it captures speech beautifully. Run it through a tube preamp if you want to make it even sweeter. Speaking of preamps...
You're going to want 60db of gain. You can make do with 40db but you're going to be talking right up on that mic to get decent levels. This can easily make your recordings far too bass heavy. I'm using a Shure X2u with my PR40 and if I want to get a good signal to noise ratio in a noisy environment I've gotta talk within a couple inches of the mic. I should also mention that you shouldn't talk directly into the microphone without some kind of pop filter or training to lessen the force of your plosives. While the mic does have integrated pop filters they don't work magic like you find with a RE20. It is possible to talk within a inch or two of the mic without popping though, just talk across it rather than directly at it.
As a parting bit of information I will say that the PR40 offers good off axis rejection. I have to worry less about airplanes, the sounds of people talking, birds, etc. and can just focus on recording. It's actually very liberating not needing to pause every time an airplane passes overhead. Ideally I'd just buy/make a silent space so I could then be free to pick a microphone that best suits my voice, but until then the Heil PR40 is a great solution.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
This mic rocks. I mean REALLY. It has the detail and presence of a condenser microphone, but the "ignore the background noise" response and nice proximity effect that you get with good dynamic mics. My favorite dynamic for my vocals.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best mikes out there!
I'm a Podcaster [...] and I use this mike exclusively. Although I have tried others(microphones)in my test/trial run recordings,I always come back to this mike Heil PR-40 Dynamic... Read more
Published 1 month ago by John M. Ellison, III
5.0 out of 5 stars
My best mic
This is a workhorse in my studio.
It started as a test mic, but now it's all over my productions!
It started as a test mic, but now it's all over my productions!
Published 4 months ago by Tor Magnor Steinheim
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Podcast / Broadcast Microphone Bang For The Buck
I have a home studio that I use for a variety of purposes. I record podcasts, music and voice overs and take sound quality very seriously. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Darren O'Neill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bob Heil gets it right every time
The PR 40 is one of the best dynamic mics I've ever used. It's a no nonsense unit with spectacular frequency response and warmth. Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. Curtis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Value, Excellent Choice for Podcast or Voiceover
I've been recording podcasts on and off for the last six or seven years and have set up a home studio for amateur music recording. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Paul R. Potts
4.0 out of 5 stars
customer from canada think about DUTY
The mic is in perfect condition, great sound in front of my bass Amp ! customer from canada think about DUTY
Published 15 months ago by Gaetan
5.0 out of 5 stars
The excellent Heil PR-40
When I started doing research for setting up of my first podcast I kept finding myself drawn to the Heil PR-40. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Robert E. Wade Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply the best broadcast / vocal work mic available
Superbly flat frequency response means you have a very versatile microphone to apply EQ and processing to. Read more
Published on April 6, 2011 by Mr. Holmes
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed in Heil
Before purchasing this microphone I had read the reviews on Amazon and had also read and looked at pod cast microphone reviews. Read more
Published on November 23, 2010 by Dennis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Mic I have used.
This is a great mic for podcasting and any recording. The sound is rich and full. This matched with an M-Audio Fasttrack Pro is a great combo. Read more
Published on May 1, 2010 by L. Gallo
