I like this microphone a lot, I paid 220 for it new which might have been a bit much, but it served me well for years. I like how it's warm and smooth but still has a gritty high end, something you don't really hear much in a microphone. I do think it's unique, which somewhat justifies the price, but I can also understand why this mic is so divisive. It's great for guitar and bass, but I bought it for voice. I wanted something different. I'm still not sure if I got it. I actually believe this is a way better mic than the PR40, especially for vocals. Michelle Levitt over at Heil agrees and recommends it over the brighter, thin 40 as well. It seems as though the 40 is really a great tool for people that already have that deep radio voice, but for the rest of us the 30 is a better option. One thing she said during the podcast I listened to, in regards to Heil mics, is that when you're speaking into them that your chin or nose should be close enough to touch the mic. Really emphasized how it's meant to be close mic'd and that it tends to lose it's charm/effectiveness at a distance. I can't tell whether or not that's a bonus. I will say, after recently moving to the sE Dynacaster, I absolutely miss the top end sizzle. The Dynacaster, overall, is a better mic in lows and mids. But the high end is crystal clear, and what I loved about the Heil was the graininess. I've also heard people say they hate the grain, but it has it's own signature that's really nice. I miss the grain! It's almost condenser like. (It's worth mentioning, the PR40 has a 1" capsule, while the cheaper PR30 actually has a larger 1.5" capsule. They are, otherwise, mostly the same microphone according to Bob himself.) I'm also having to untrain myself from speaking so closely to the mic with the sE. The more you use the Heil the more you realize you have to. It's a bad habit for something like the Dynacaster. Not really sure which one I'll stick with long term. I wish more people on youtube reviewed the PR30. Everyone goes for the 40, assuming it's better, but as Michelle pointed out - These two microphones are equals, the 30 just happens to be cheaper to manufacture. She actually wants to raise the price so that the 30 and 40 are the same and people won't assume the 30 is inferior.
Word! 🤣 I like the Heil brand microphones, but I definitely agree with you that the price is up there. Also, I don't care for the plosives that sneak through if I get excited and slip up on mic technique. I sold my PR40, but I still think the entire Heil line are solid mics.
Played with the mic this morning. Pretty darn good sound and looks good. This one sounds good but, I think you can sound just as good for half the price
I got the PR30 years ago and hardly used it for vocals.. now it’s paired with an MXL R80 ribbon on my old Marshall and does a great job capturing the sound of that amp. But is it significantly better than an SM57 for that purpose? No. But I use it because it cost a shit-ton and lie to myself that it’s better.
Yeah, this is the kind of mic that put me off "broadcast" dynamics when I first started looking at mics a few years back. You're paying a lot for a form factor and getting a sound that's nothing special. These days there's inexpensive options but for a long time I could just dismiss these things with "OK but does it sound better than a $100 handheld?"
I've been fairly critical of Heil in the past, and I didn't plan on stopping, but this is one of two Heil mics I kind of actually like. It's a very usable mic. I would like to have seen you throw it up against something like an SM7B since a gently used one is probably around the same price. Or maybe a dynacaster which is about the same price on sale. I've been vocal about some of the Heil mics feeling overpriced, but this honestly might be the exception. Do I think this sounds like a $270 mic? Maybe? I think it is probably as good or better than many other dynamics in the $200-300 range. I don't really love the look, but if it works and sounds good, I don't care too much about what it looks like. I haven't held one in my hands but if Shrek Fingers says it feels solid, I'm inclined to believe him. I don't want to like it, but I think I do..
I had a PR40 and I felt everything I tried it on sounded "plasticky" in the high end. However, I loved how it sounded on distorted guitar (the best I can describe the sound is like instant Jesus & Mary Chain with a bit more bottom end - and I would totally recommend it to drop-tuned metal guys). But that made it a one-trick pony...but it's a trick that's made me think about getting one again. $240 is a bit much for that trick (which leads me to say that one other thing I have to give Heil mics is they hold their value).
I meant that their used price holds pretty steady. Seems like $240 is pretty much the number for a used PR40 and I know the PR35 is similar (I just can't remember what that number is).
Logitech is taking on the sm7b. Looks like they give you 30 days to try it, 15 days if you go through best buy. It's a good looking mic, I think so anyway. Same price as the sm7b but I have seen it for $350
I like end-address mics, because I can put it on a boom arm and aim it at my mouth from the side, get the mic as close as I want....and still have no obstruction to my view of the monitor, or of my hands on a keyboard. I need to use both the monitor and the keyboard while recording the voice narrative, for training videos I make as part of my work, so having a side-address mic blocking me just won't do it. But I agree with you about Heil -- overrated and overpriced.
@@ObscureMics write to them, they can be very accommodating, the company is 20 miles from where I live and was involved in the end development of the 435/445, have my own preproduction model that they called the 935 platinum, every time I use it on a live concert the singers/rappers flip out over the sound, eBay can be good, just got an immaculate 416 for €55, could send you some Fotos from my collection if you tell me where to send the pictures to
Sorry, don't mean to be a spamming bitch but have another comment. The super cardioid pattern is much better in an untreated room than a regular cardioid. I gave up on condensers for voice stuff because I am too cheap to sound proof my room. This is a great compromise.
I like this microphone a lot, I paid 220 for it new which might have been a bit much, but it served me well for years. I like how it's warm and smooth but still has a gritty high end, something you don't really hear much in a microphone. I do think it's unique, which somewhat justifies the price, but I can also understand why this mic is so divisive. It's great for guitar and bass, but I bought it for voice. I wanted something different. I'm still not sure if I got it.
I actually believe this is a way better mic than the PR40, especially for vocals. Michelle Levitt over at Heil agrees and recommends it over the brighter, thin 40 as well. It seems as though the 40 is really a great tool for people that already have that deep radio voice, but for the rest of us the 30 is a better option.
One thing she said during the podcast I listened to, in regards to Heil mics, is that when you're speaking into them that your chin or nose should be close enough to touch the mic. Really emphasized how it's meant to be close mic'd and that it tends to lose it's charm/effectiveness at a distance. I can't tell whether or not that's a bonus.
I will say, after recently moving to the sE Dynacaster, I absolutely miss the top end sizzle. The Dynacaster, overall, is a better mic in lows and mids. But the high end is crystal clear, and what I loved about the Heil was the graininess. I've also heard people say they hate the grain, but it has it's own signature that's really nice. I miss the grain! It's almost condenser like. (It's worth mentioning, the PR40 has a 1" capsule, while the cheaper PR30 actually has a larger 1.5" capsule. They are, otherwise, mostly the same microphone according to Bob himself.)
I'm also having to untrain myself from speaking so closely to the mic with the sE. The more you use the Heil the more you realize you have to. It's a bad habit for something like the Dynacaster.
Not really sure which one I'll stick with long term. I wish more people on youtube reviewed the PR30. Everyone goes for the 40, assuming it's better, but as Michelle pointed out - These two microphones are equals, the 30 just happens to be cheaper to manufacture. She actually wants to raise the price so that the 30 and 40 are the same and people won't assume the 30 is inferior.
Great stuff! I'm also of the opinion that the 30 is better than The 40...for me. I love the clarity and dare u say SMOOTH grain?
I'll hang on to my PR40 because it's a bit of a status symbol in the ham radio community.
Mike are you telling me you are all about that high life? Status symbols and such...
@@ObscureMics Not really - just trying to justify to myself that I spent so damn much for it!
Lol I honestly want one.... I think I really like it on my voice.. But I don't wanna pay the price
CQ CQ CQ 🎙️
Word! 🤣 I like the Heil brand microphones, but I definitely agree with you that the price is up there. Also, I don't care for the plosives that sneak through if I get excited and slip up on mic technique. I sold my PR40, but I still think the entire Heil line are solid mics.
Solid.... And overpriced... Sadly. And that's the WORD Hank.... Overpriced 🤘
I have a popper stopper inside and external pop filter. Works great for me. My Klark Teknik cloud lift helps, too.
Played with the mic this morning. Pretty darn good sound and looks good. This one sounds good but, I think you can sound just as good for half the price
The SE V7 is a nice hundred dollar option...and has the super cardioid pattern like this one.
I got the PR30 years ago and hardly used it for vocals.. now it’s paired with an MXL R80 ribbon on my old Marshall and does a great job capturing the sound of that amp.
But is it significantly better than an SM57 for that purpose? No. But I use it because it cost a shit-ton and lie to myself that it’s better.
I felt that lol
Yeah, this is the kind of mic that put me off "broadcast" dynamics when I first started looking at mics a few years back. You're paying a lot for a form factor and getting a sound that's nothing special.
These days there's inexpensive options but for a long time I could just dismiss these things with "OK but does it sound better than a $100 handheld?"
Yuuuuuup.
@@ObscureMics Sounds better to me than the RE 320, Rode Procaster, SE V7 and Miktek PM9.
Sounds better than the other mics you popped on, I think.
I really dig it
When it comes to Heil mics in general, they never fail to provoke strong opinions about them one way or the other.
Truth. Some people love the sound.....and I get it......just not for me....mostly. I do really like the pr30
@@ObscureMics I like the PR30B. Step up from the SE V7...and it is a decent mic. Use it for voice over stuff.
I've been fairly critical of Heil in the past, and I didn't plan on stopping, but this is one of two Heil mics I kind of actually like. It's a very usable mic. I would like to have seen you throw it up against something like an SM7B since a gently used one is probably around the same price. Or maybe a dynacaster which is about the same price on sale. I've been vocal about some of the Heil mics feeling overpriced, but this honestly might be the exception. Do I think this sounds like a $270 mic? Maybe? I think it is probably as good or better than many other dynamics in the $200-300 range. I don't really love the look, but if it works and sounds good, I don't care too much about what it looks like. I haven't held one in my hands but if Shrek Fingers says it feels solid, I'm inclined to believe him. I don't want to like it, but I think I do..
Man we are the same lol. I kinda want one.... I just hate to pay that
I think I paid about 170 for an open box.
You sound pretty good on this mic.
I had a PR40 and I felt everything I tried it on sounded "plasticky" in the high end. However, I loved how it sounded on distorted guitar (the best I can describe the sound is like instant Jesus & Mary Chain with a bit more bottom end - and I would totally recommend it to drop-tuned metal guys). But that made it a one-trick pony...but it's a trick that's made me think about getting one again. $240 is a bit much for that trick (which leads me to say that one other thing I have to give Heil mics is they hold their value).
I've never been able to sell a Heil for anything near the msrp myself
I meant that their used price holds pretty steady. Seems like $240 is pretty much the number for a used PR40 and I know the PR35 is similar (I just can't remember what that number is).
Ohhhhh yes... I believe you are right. It took me MONTHS to sell my pr40... Eventually had to sell for half the cosf
ua-cam.com/video/zv7E6fuHYTA/v-deo.html
Logitech is taking on the sm7b. Looks like they give you 30 days to try it, 15 days if you go through best buy. It's a good looking mic, I think so anyway. Same price as the sm7b but I have seen it for $350
It sounds really good too....but I hate the price
@@ObscureMics you've had a chance to listen to it? Did you review it by chance? I follow your channel but I don't think I've seen it
I don't have it. But Bronson at Audio Hotline used it on our podcast
The Pr30 is definitely a smoother mic sound than the Pr40.
I am quite fond of it... But the price is dumb
Biggest 1.5 inch pie hole and tons of foam. lol
I like end-address mics, because I can put it on a boom arm and aim it at my mouth from the side, get the mic as close as I want....and still have no obstruction to my view of the monitor, or of my hands on a keyboard. I need to use both the monitor and the keyboard while recording the voice narrative, for training videos I make as part of my work, so having a side-address mic blocking me just won't do it. But I agree with you about Heil -- overrated and overpriced.
I'm with you on all of that
I like it better than my RE 320 I dumped...
I've grown to really dislike the re320
Sounds nice and clear with good bass, expensive, don’t like the look of it (looks like condenser).
I honestly don't mind the look.... All about price... And it's priced terribly
I like the look, myself.
Fantastic rejection for someone with a bad room. I can’t remember the model number on my Heil. It looks like an sm58.
Hmmmm now I wanna know what Heil you have
@@ObscureMics I’ll try and remember to look. It’s for ham radio and has a four pin XLR.
@@ObscureMics it’s a Heil HM-10-5
I’ve had horrible luck with bob’s microphones. All internal hair sized wires. The 30 sounds better than the 40 imo.
That's even more discouraging
The look of this mic confuses me it looks like a sm7b but also like the at2020
It's different for sure
Try a Sennheiser 435/445, it costs but what you get for your money….
I DO need to get in more Sennheiser mics.... But man.... The money..
@@ObscureMics write to them, they can be very accommodating, the company is 20 miles from where I live and was involved in the end development of the 435/445, have my own preproduction model that they called the 935 platinum, every time I use it on a live concert the singers/rappers flip out over the sound, eBay can be good, just got an immaculate 416 for €55, could send you some Fotos from my collection if you tell me where to send the pictures to
Oh heck yeah. Bark@obscuremics.com
Sorry, don't mean to be a spamming bitch but have another comment. The super cardioid pattern is much better in an untreated room than a regular cardioid. I gave up on condensers for voice stuff because I am too cheap to sound proof my room. This is a great compromise.
Absolutely is. And Larry....you say as much as you need to say my man
Crammed full of foam for the sound...
No they are cheaply made in my opinion not worth what they ask for them
This mic is overpriced
Cmon man. Buy it. Bob Heil has a coke problem to feed. LOL!