Instrument microphones are an essential device for every musician and sound engineer, as they help reproduce quality sound for musical instruments. They are widely used for recording and live applications. Using an instrument microphone for miking up a guitar, drums, and other instruments is a better option than using ordinary microphones, as they have a broader frequency range than the latter.
The Heil PR 30 and PR 31 are excellent microphones for drums, guitar, and other instruments. The company, Heil Sound, is a renowned brand for professional-quality microphones.
In this article, we will investigate the differences between the Heil PR 30 and PR 31 and if they are really worth the hype.
What is the difference between the Heil pr30 vs. pr31 BW microphone?
The Heil PR 31 has a shorter body than and is lighter than the Heil PR 30. They also differ in their output level as the Heil PR 30 is rated at -51db @ 1kHz, while the Heil PR 31 is rated at -52.9 dB @ 1kHz.
Both the PR 30 and the PR31 BW are dynamic super-cardioid studio microphones made by Heil Sound.
They both have great rear and side audio rejection, which is useful in isolating audio bleed from the rear and side of the mic. This makes both these microphones an excellent choice for miking snare drums and guitar cabinets.
When used as a snare mic, both the PR30 and PR 31 BW will reject audio from hi-hats, cymbals and toms, while capturing a full audio snapshot of the snare or whatever instrument it is pointed towards.
What is the Frequency Response of the Heil PR 30 vs. Heil PR 31?
The Heil PR 30 is an excellent option as a guitar amp microphone for a guitar combo amplifier setup or a speaker cabinet microphone for a head-cabinet setup. At the same time, the Heil PR 31 is a great microphone for cymbals and toms because of its rear and side audio rejection feature that can isolate the sound whenever needed.
Both Heil PR 30 and 31 have a frequency response of 40 Hz to 18 kHz. Both Heil microphones are great as all-purpose microphones as they can greatly produce sounds when used for miking string, percussion, wind instruments, and even for vocals.
The Heil PR 30 is an excellent guitar microphone as its response in upper-midrange frequencies is outstanding. It can achieve its impressive dynamic range because of its large low mass diaphragm and the combination of magnets like the neodymium and others.
On the other hand, the Heil PR 31 has an impressive mid-range focus, which is great for miking guitar speakers and drums. Because of its size, you can place it in tight areas of your drum setup or under the cymbals, and it is still able to produce a great sound due to its sound isolation feature.
Overall, both microphones have a large dynamic element, making them excellent options for miking instruments or vocals.
How does the Heil pr30 compare to the Shure SM57?
The Shure SM57 is a legendary microphone in the industry for its performance and build quality. The Shure SM57 is a cardioid dynamic microphone that is purposely built for miking and recording instruments. The Shure SM57 is one of the most widely used instrument microphones globally.
The Shure SM 57 has a frequency response of 40 Hz up to 15 kHz, while the Heil PR 30 has a frequency response of 40 Hz to 18 kHz, giving the latter an advantage in the frequency response category. The Heil PR 30 has a broader frequency range, making it better in some specific applications.
Like the Heil PR 30, the Shure SM57 is a great option for miking guitar amplifiers, drums, and other instruments, as it has an excellent feedback rejection feature, but it does not have the same sound isolation feature that the Heil PR 30 can do.
Overall, even though the Shure SM57 produces a clear sound and is built to last for a lifetime, I still feel that the Heil PR 30 is the better microphone because of its broader frequency response. Having a frequency response like the Heil PR 30 will help in miking any instrument, especially those known to produce higher frequencies, like the cymbals.
How does the Heil pr30 compare to the Sennheiser MD421?
The Sennheiser MD421 is a widely known microphone usually used to record vocals and instruments and broadcasting. The Sennheiser MD421 is a cardioid microphone with an impressive feedback rejection feature that is also great for live gigs.
The Sennheiser MD421 has a frequency response of 30 Hz up to 17 kHz, while the Heil PR 30 has a frequency response of 40 Hz to 18 kHz, which gives the former a better performance for lower frequencies and the latter for the higher frequencies. The Sennheiser will be a better option for miking bass guitars and bass drums, which are known for their extended low-frequency response, compared to the Heil PR 30.
The Sennheiser MD421 has an internal bass tube which helps in giving a better low-frequency response than other microphones, aside from its five-position bass controls. It is also great for miking close distances as it does not easily bleed and produces a clear sound with a natural low end. It also handles loud volumes impressively.
Overall, the Sennheiser MD421 has a slight edge against the Heil PR 30 because of its outstanding low-end frequency response. However, both instrumental microphones are still great for every recording and live application setup.
Is the Heil pr30 microphone good for miking Guitar Amps?
The Heil PR 30 is one of the best microphones that is used in the industry for miking guitar amps. The microphone’s large dynamic element can generate an excellent upper midrange, which is crucial for miking guitar amplifiers and guitar cabinets.
The Heil PR 30 is an excellent microphone because of its flat frequency response, which means that it can reproduce pure audio. This feature is not typical for all microphones, which helps its case to be the best guitar microphone in the industry. You can mike your guitar amp without worries as you know that it is the sound reproduced by the microphone in its pure, natural state.
The Heil PR 30 has excellent detail and clarity when it is used for miking guitar amps. Its low-end is also not overbearing compared to other microphones, making it great for mixing in the tracks, as it would easily fit in. It also lacks the proximity effect, which is an excellent feature for instrumental microphones.
Overall, the Heil PR 30 is an excellent option for miking guitar amps. Its flat frequency response feature is vital for producing a natural, clear, and outstanding sound. Only a few microphones can match what the Heil PR 30 can offer.
Is the Heil pr30 microphone good for miking Snare Drums?
The Heil PR 30 is an excellent option for miking any snare drums as they have a flat frequency response, which lets you hear the original sound produced by the source, in this case, is a snare drum. It also has a broad frequency response, so there is no issue with the high frequencies that a snare drum will produce.
The Heil PR 30 is a go-to microphone if you want your snare drums miked up. It also has rear and side audio rejection features, which help isolate the sound from the snare drum and eliminate the bleed from the other parts of the drums, like the cymbals and toms. It also eliminates all the sound from the other instruments, so you do not have to worry.
The Heil PR 30’s voice coil diameter is enough for almost all applications, like miking it to your snare drum. The only issue with this microphone is if you will use it for miking a bass drum, as it is not the same with any dual-element kick drum microphones.
Overall, using the Heil PR 30 for miking a snare drum is really a no-brainer. It is really one of the best options for snare drum microphones that are available in the market.
Who Is Heil Sound?
Heil Sound is a microphone-manufacturing company established by Bob Heil in 1966. Today, the company is widely known for its top-level dynamic microphones and accessories. After the company focused solely on producing professional microphones, it has rapidly developed a reputation for creating technologically advanced microphones. All Heil Sound mics feature top-level sound clarity and noise isolation.
Heil Sound is one of the best companies in the microphone business.
What did Bob Heil invent?
Bob Heil, born in 1940, is a renowned American sound engineer known for his contributions to the innovation of the sound system industry. One of his known inventions is the Heil Talk Box, an effects unit that shapes the frequency content of the sound. He also invented top-quality headphones and microphones still used for commercial purposes today.
Heil Sound is one of the top companies in the microphone business. The company is also the only manufacturer that was invited to exhibit at the Rock Hall of Fame.
Where are Heil microphones made?
Heil microphones have established a reputation for being solid and durable microphones, which is they are really popular to sound engineers and musicians.
All Heil microphones are made in the company’s main headquarters in Fairview Heights, Illinois. All processes that are needed to create the legendary Heil microphones, including their quality testing, are done in its main headquarters in Illinois.