The Best Alternative to the Heil PR 40

March 10, 2013 By 6 Comments
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Heil PR 40 I love my Heil PR-40 microphone. It’s the mic I use for ninety-five percent of all the podcasts I make. In case you’re wondering, that other five percent is when I am out on the road doing interviews and that’s when I use a great podcasting omni stereo lapel microphone from Giant Squid Audio.

There are two things about the Heil PR40 that I love:

  • its got this great allround warm sound
  • its dynamic mic so it doesn’t pic up a lot of background noise

Because the Heil is an analogue mic and not a USB mic, you have to plug it into a mixer or USB mic interface to connect it to your digital recorder or computer.

soundcraft mixer for podcastingMy set up is to record my show through a SoundCraft mixer , which are very popular in Sweden because they have such great preamps, going into a Zoom H4N digital recorder.

I use a Focusrite USB interface to link my Heil directly to my computer if I’m recording something like a voiceover straight into my Mac, and that works fine too.

What if You Can’t Afford a Heil PR40?

For me the only downside to the Heil is the price. Retailing at between 300-350 USD, many newbies will be put off.

url-1Personally, I just jumped right in and bought one almost as soon as I realised a USB mic wasn’t going to cut it in terms of sound quality. But I appreciate that you might be looking for a cheaper alternative.

A slightly cheaper, but very good alternative is the Røde Procaster. Retailing at around 230 USD this mic reportedly gives your voice a warm, punchy sound. It’s also incredibly solid and durable and copes very well with being carted around everywhere.

I think the best alternative to the Heil, though, is the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic mic, which retails at under 40 USD.

Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR MicrophoneThe ATR2100 is a handheld dynamic microphone with USB digital output and XLR analog output which retails at . This means that you can use the USB to connect it to your computer for digital recording when you’re doing things like voicing over a screen cast tutorial or video-podcast. It even has a built-in headphone jack and a volume control to make it easier to monitor your recording.

If, like me, you prefer recording through an analogue mixer and mic-preamp to a digital recorder (I use the Zoom H4N) because of the control it gives you with your sound, and you can manually add things to the chain like compression or EQ, you can then use the XLR output to connect it just as you would a Heil PR 40.

I’ve recommended this mic to a lot of newbies and I’ve never had a complaint; however, those that do catch the podcasting bug often finally invest in the Heil because it’s so well-known amongst podcasters – particularly in the US.

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About Jon

Owner of Jontus Media, marketing consultant, lifelong Liverpool FC support and podcaster. Guarded by basset hounds .

  • http://www.craigmcbreen.com/ Craig McBreen

    Thanks for the tips, Jon. Been toying with the video or podcasting route for many months now and have finally decided to get rolling with a podcast. Just in the planning stages now … and I think buying equipment will be the fun part :) I’ll probably settle for the lapel mic, just to get started. I remember you mentioned that to me months ago.

  • http://jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Hi Craig,

    The only problem with the lapel mic if you’re recording in your office is that you’ll get quite a bit of room noise.
    I would recommend the Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB Cardioid Dynamic mic, which retails at under 40 USD if you’re just doing audio, not video with you in it (you don’t want a mic obscuring your face).
    It’s a good quality mic with a lot of noise rejection and would just USB into your computer.
    If you want to talk about your planned set up and want some tips, just let me know and we can Skype.

  • http://www.craigmcbreen.com/ Craig McBreen

    Thanks, Jon! That sounds perfect. Would be great to chat on Skype so I’ll be in touch when I get closer.

  • Dennis

    Jon, I was thinking of using the ATR2100 with the TASCAM DP-008EX for recording. Would the DP-008EX be good enough to be all in one for mixing, pre-amp, and recording?

  • http://jontusmedia.com/ Jon Buscall

    Hi Dennis,
    Now I haven’t used the Tascam extensively; however, I’d be wary of getting something that looks like a simple all in one. I’ve used a Zoom R16, which is comparable.
    It’s easy to use and I like the way you can get everything on separate tracks.
    However, the preamps on these machines tend not to be as great as some of the more durable analogue mixers.
    Initially I worked with the Zoom R16 because it seemed so easy taking Skype and my voice into separate channels and recording them individually. But I found the preamps weren’t as punchy as I was looking for. Plus I wanted to be able to use inserts like the Gate and Mic Preamp.
    I checked at the Tascam lets you insert effects like compressor, de-esser, etc, so this would maybe be a good choice. But can you add something like the DBX 286S which would really beef up your vocal.
    If you’re looking for portability this could be a really good solution with more options than, say, the Zoom H4N.
    If you get one, please get in touch. Maybe we could collaborate to do a review !
    Very best wishes,
    Jon

  • James Clarke

    Thanks John for your recommendation, I would love to afford the Heli, I’m amazed you did not mention the Blue range of mics, when discussing cheaper options, they are awesome, and for the price I feel are unbeatable – take a look!
    Thanks…..Jim