Greazygeo...Thanks.. and Heil PR30 Mic Review

[amiller]

I found out about the PR30 from Greazygeo on this forum. The description sounded like what I've been looking for in a mic. Most of the mics I have all "suffer" from the same issue...proximity effect. For example, move a 57 too far back and it gets thin and dull...too close and it's muddy and shrill at the same time. The idea is to get a good balance. Of course, moving the mic closer or farther away is just one variable. Other variables include off axis positioning and side to side placement.

The PR30 practically eliminates the proximity effect, i.e., it doesn't add a bunch of bass as you move closer to the cab. That's a big variable to get rid of and makes placing the mic so much easier. I've only been working with it for a couple of weeks now but already I've been able to get better recordings. In general, it sounds like what I'm hearing in the room. I would say that it may need a little more bass but I can add that with another mic. I still have to test a bunch of mics with the PR30 to see which one pairs the best.

Wordy way of saying ... THIS IS A GREAT MIC!

Oh, and thanks Greazygeo...now, tell me which mics you pair with the PR30 and how do you position your mics?

 

[Greazygeo]

Cool! Glad it's working out. I'm pairing mine with a 421 right now. It seems to be a nice balance between the two. I have both right up on the grill cloth, kind of in the middle between the dustcap and edge of the cone.

 

[amiller]

Cool! Glad it's working out. I'm pairing mine with a 421 right now. It seems to be a nice balance between the two. I have both right up on the grill cloth, kind of in the middle between the dustcap and edge of the cone.

Excellent! That's how I'm placing the mics at present!

 

[fuzzyguitars]

I used to use an Sm57 coombined with a 421

I now use a SM57 with a PR40

 

[amiller]

I used to use an Sm57 coombined with a 421

I now use a SM57 with a PR40

I'm still working out which mic to pair with the PR30. The 57 seemed to be a bit on the nasal side. Of course, that may have to do with not finding the right position for that pairing. I've got a Senn 609 and a 906 that I want to try. I also have a couple of ribbons that might sound interesting...lots of work to do.

 

[David_kessler]

Using an RE20 with the PR30. Great pair for cab micing.

 

[amiller]

Using an RE20 with the PR30. Great pair for cab micing.

What does the RE20 add to the equation?

A little too rich for my budget right now.

If I were to get another mic I'd probably get another PR30 or maybe a PR40.

 

[fuzzyguitars]

Using an RE20 with the PR30. Great pair for cab micing.

What does the RE20 add to the equation?

A little too rich for my budget right now.

If I were to get another mic I'd probably get another PR30 or maybe a PR40.

i would not get another pr30.

i would either get the pr40 or a md421.

the best offering on the cheap would be a cascade fathead ribbon mic.



a pr30 blended with fathead would yeild the most rightous tones on the cheap!

 

[aeroic]

I used to use an Sm57 coombined with a 421

I now use a SM57 with a PR40

I'm still working out which mic to pair with the PR30. The 57 seemed to be a bit on the nasal side. Of course, that may have to do with not finding the right position for that pairing. I've got a Senn 609 and a 906 that I want to try. I also have a couple of ribbons that might sound interesting...lots of work to do.

I'm using a PR30 w/ an Audix I5. I put the Audix I5 off axis at a 45 degree angle to the PR30...and it works out REALLY well. I am LOVING my tone that way for sure!

Eric

 

[amiller]

I used to use an Sm57 coombined with a 421

I now use a SM57 with a PR40

I'm still working out which mic to pair with the PR30. The 57 seemed to be a bit on the nasal side. Of course, that may have to do with not finding the right position for that pairing. I've got a Senn 609 and a 906 that I want to try. I also have a couple of ribbons that might sound interesting...lots of work to do.

I'm using a PR30 w/ an Audix I5. I put the Audix I5 off axis at a 45 degree angle to the PR30...and it works out REALLY well. I am LOVING my tone that way for sure!

Eric

Hmmm...I don't have an Audix I5 but I do have an Audix OM5. Just for fun, I'm gonna give it a whirl too.

 

[amiller]

Using an RE20 with the PR30. Great pair for cab micing.

What does the RE20 add to the equation?

A little too rich for my budget right now.

If I were to get another mic I'd probably get another PR30 or maybe a PR40.

i would not get another pr30.

i would either get the pr40 or a md421.

the best offering on the cheap would be a cascade fathead ribbon mic.



a pr30 blended with fathead would yeild the most rightous tones on the cheap!

I have a MD421 and a pair of cascade fathead ribbons. I'm working through my mics looking for a good pairing and those mics are definitely on the list.

 

[David_kessler]

A nice fullness. Not as hyped as the 421 or PR40. No proximty effect with it so it's just nice and natural and full. Very nice combo.

Using an RE20 with the PR30. Great pair for cab micing.

What does the RE20 add to the equation?

A little too rich for my budget right now.

If I were to get another mic I'd probably get another PR30 or maybe a PR40.

 

[amiller]

A nice fullness. Not as hyped as the 421 or PR40. No proximty effect with it so it's just nice and natural and full. Very nice combo.

Using an RE20 with the PR30. Great pair for cab micing.

What does the RE20 add to the equation?

A little too rich for my budget right now.

If I were to get another mic I'd probably get another PR30 or maybe a PR40.

Now, I gotta check out another mic!