Heil Sound PR 22 UT Dynamic Utility Microphone for Live Music, Podcast, and Recording (Black)

Heil PR22 mic was designed by Bob Heil to provide excellent voice clarity with minimal to no equalization. It features a broad emphasis (up to +6 dB) from 1.5 to 10 KHz, and from 90 to 160 Hz (up to +4 dB) while attenuating the "muddies" from 600 to 900 Hz (by up to -4 dB). The result is astonishing vocals right out of the box. It is NOT a flat, blank slate that must be equalized. Performers and sound engineers will likely be somewhat polarized in their opinions, for this reason. It's a "bright" mic and not for those seeking "Darth Vader's" voice. Luke would do just fine, though. :)By using a Neodymium (strong, rare-earth) magnet in the mic element, output is kept fairly high for a dynamic mic at -55 dBV (at 1KHz) - you probably won't need a Cloudlifter in-line pre/pre amp to use it - yet it can handle up to 145 dB SPL without major distortion. PR22 sensitivity pattern is cardioid and rear noise rejection is quite good. Altogether pretty impressive.While the PR22 is aimed primarily at the vocal/stage performance market segment. a number of hams (radio amateurs) (like me) have discovered that it works VERY well for SSB voice transmissions, where it's clarity and resistance to "proximity effect" (enhanced bass effect when right up on the mic) punches straight through fading and interference like VERY few others, even un-equalized - without sounding ragged and harsh. I wonder if Bob thought about that in the design - he IS a noted ham, after all.Once widely available as a more expensive package set with interchangeable chrome, gold and black screens as the "PR22", this mic is most often found today as the PR22 UT ("utility"), shipping with just ONE screen - usually Black. It is also available with or without an on-off switch that is feathered into the solid metal mic body, unlike the Shure SM58, whose switch protrudes and can interfere with mic clips. However, this makes the PR22 switch VERY easy to accidentally flip ON or OFF and stage performers may prefer the un-switched version, while podcasters or studio users may prefer the switched one. Your choice. Personally, I purchased the switched version - and then put a 1/4 inch tape strip over the top to keep the switch in place when hand holding it. Easy to put on, easy to take off.Overall PR22 build quality is very good. You may not be able to smash down walls with it as some claim you can with the Shure SM58, but it's not likely to break with frequent hard use, either. It's a professional tool and is built and performs like one.If you like the PR22's built-in voice clarity and equalization curve, it's a great mic. If not, then get a "virgin" mic with very flat response and pre-amp/equalize it. One reason why the Shure SM58 is so popular - it's a flat, blank slate for an audio tech to "write on" and rejects a lot of noise due to its lower output (not so good for amateur radio, though).But the PR22 is ready to go, anywhere, anytime, right out of the box, equalized or not. If you like the way it sounds, its simple to use and just works. I like that.

My go-to was a Sure SM58, but the PR22 just SOUNDS better. It has a bigger bottom and better sound rejection than any other handheld I've had. -- One thing... finger noise is an issue. So be sure you know how to minimize that sound.

I mostly use this on snare for live and studio situations. I have a Pelican full of mics, and make mic choices depending on the source and situation. A 57 is the snare top choice most of the time obviously, but this PR22 is one of the most amazing alternatives I’ve ever put in my box. It is very “hyped”, much more than an i5 or e904, so it’s not an option that fits every situation. However, this on the top of a snare sounds like a great mix of top and bottom snare mics, fattened a bit with EQ. Scooped mid, lots of top and bottom, it instantly gets you that super fat and processed snare sound that’s so common in the current church music. It’s a must try!

Bob Heil, the founder of Heil Sound, was famous for his sound systems and dynamic mics. He was the only sound engineer to have a display in the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame. The PR22 is best for general recording. Of course the PR40 is a standard in many broadcast and HAM radio markets. This PR22 is being used to mic the piano in my church.

What I want from a mic is clarity, midrange presence, a smooth low-end, and enough gain to cut without having to strain my voice. If you have to sing live for hours at a time you know why this is important. There are mostly good to great reviews on this mic. I suggest you question negative reviews. I don't believe them, and if someone perceived this as a bad mic they were trying to use it in the same way they've used other mics that needed a lot of EQ shaping to make them sound half-way usable. I auditioned this mic with everything flat. This mic, at $117, is price right between a Shure SM58 or Sennheiser 835 at $100 each and the Shure Beta 57a at $139. Skip them, and you can even skip the Sennheiser 935, a great mic, but it now costs $179. Buy this Heil PR22 UT. This one will out-perform all of the under $150 microphones and you won't have to wonder if you made the right choice. This mic will help you project your voice very well to a live audience without overblown lows, midrange mush and high-end raspiness. If you have a good quality sound gear use a microphone like this one which will be on par with your other gear. Stop wasting time and money and buy one of these.

I'm quite familiar with Heil and its excellent reputation. The PR 35 and PR 40 are fantastic microphones, and deserve their well-earned reputations. But hooking up the PR 22 and listening to it was a serious letdown.Frankly, I'm shocked that Heil would put their name on a microphone this bad. Their higher end microphones are amazing. This model, however, sounds terrible. It has no low end whatsoever. There is no depth to the sound... it is thin and distant. It either has an extremely limited frequency range, or a super annoying boost in the upper midrange that makes it sound as if someone is talking/singing through a cardboard tube. It's bad enough that I don't think I'll ever be able to use this microphone for anything. I have microphones I bought in my youth from Radio Shack that are much, much better.I'm not the only one that has this opinion. I brought four other people into my studio to hear this mic. They all hated it too. It had, by far, the worst sound of 30+ microphones we auditioned that day.I can't offer enough praise for the PR 35 and PR 40... they are fantastic. But the PR 22 has too many issues to be useful to anyone. I very strongly recommend against it. Pick up an AKG D5 or Shure Beta 58 instead.

Works great. Sounds great. Only issue is you have to be right up on it for the proper volume to come through. The last mic i used for podcasting had a much wider area but didnt sound as good. As long as you slobber on this like your prom date it will spund amazing for the price.