Pro Audio Review - June 2008 - (Page 58) LIVE | REVIEW by Karl Bader Heil Sound PR-22 handheld microphone The latest from Heil maintains the great clarity of the PR-20 with reduced handling noise. Best known for the Peter Frampton talk box and live quadraphonic sound for The Who, Bob Heil is always coming up with innovative products for the music industry. One of Heil’s most recent products is the PR22 dynamic microphone — essentially an improvement made to his PR-20 dynamic vocal microphone. | FEATURES The PR-22 is very similar to the PR-20 in many ways, including the cardioid pick up pattern and precise phase plug. It has a very flat response with a slight boost in the midrange around 3.15kHz. The flat response of the PR-22’s predecessor, the PR-20, led to its Achilles heel: handling noise. Handling noise is created when putting the mic into a mic clip, rubbing the outside, tapping the mic, etc. Other manufacturers solved this problem by rolling off the frequency response around 125 Hz and disregarding the lowest octave. According to Heil, his company decided to keep that last octave, and looked hard to find a solution to this problem. The found it in foam used in ceiling fans called Sorbothane. This foam isolates the mic element from the body of the mic, reducing dreaded handling noise. This improvement created the PR-22. | IN USE I opened up the large leatherette case. I found the mic, two additional metal windscreens in gold and black, a mic clip, and a foam windscreen. I questioned, “Why the extra metal windscreens? Did they change the pickup pattern? Were they just for show?” An e-mail to Bob Heil and a prompt phone call back from Bob determined that they were indeed for the Easter Egg colorer in all of us. I quote Bob Heil when I say, ”When you’re in ‘Vegas, you use the gold one.” The PR-22 was initially tested through headphones, a monitor wedge, and a speaker that was set up about 30 feet away. The mic was A/B tested against many microphones in our inventory. It was also tested at a couple of corporate shows with bands. Overall, I was impressed with the sound of the microphone. It had a smoother low end than a Shure SM-58 and a clarity that I couldn’t get out of any of the mics in my shop’s wardrobe, APPLICATIONS Live, broadcast, and recording studio KEY FEATURES Cardioid pattern, dynamic element, extra wind screens mount and carrying pouch PRICE $179 list CONTACT Heil Sound | ☎ 618-257-3000 ➲ www.heilsound.com 58 | ProAudio Review | June 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.strobosoft.com http://www.strobosoft.com http://www.heilsound.com http://www.proaudioreview.com
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