Product Reviews

Stevie Wonder - really?
I got a call from Bob Heil.  He wanted to check in to see how things were going and to say hello.  We’ve been a large part of getting his products into the worship market over the last year or two.  The two of us talked about a handful of new products coming later this year, other ways to use the current products and spent about 20 minutes just catching up.

Just as we were about to hang up, he said, “And do you know what one of the most touching moments I’ve had in my music career (which spans over 50 years)?”  I didn’t.  He went on to say, “Sarah and I were at the Hollywood Bowl watching Stevie Wonder recently and he had six of my microphones on stage.”  He went on to say, “Dave, there’s not a better set of ears in the world than Stevie’s and to have him decide that my microphones are better than everything he has ever tried is quite a compliment.  He has no reason to change anything he’s doing; he’s Stevie Wonder.  On stage, he used a PR35 for his vocal at the acoustic piano, another at his electric piano, and four for his backup singers.”

Bob Heil has every right to be thrilled, humbled, and honored to have Stevie Wonder choose to buy his microphones.  Heil Sound doesn’t do paid endorsements; Heil Sound simply makes great microphones and people like you and Stevie Wonder are beginning to catch on.  The Heil Sound PR35 has received a Mix Magazine TEC Award nomination this year, but that meant much less to Bob than a music legend like Stevie Wonder hand-picking a microphone that he created.

Marketing departments can spin specifications, write about frequency response, and make pretty pictures all day long.  The funny thing is that sound can’t be captured on paper, no matter how hard anyone tries. 

As hard as I try to describe good audio, it’s impossible for you to fully comprehend the Heil Sound PR35 until you try it for yourself.  The Heil Sound PR35 is a truly great vocal microphone.  It even has two-position bass roll-off making it versatile enough for many other uses. 

We’re beginning to hear about more and more artists using exclusively Heil microphones.  That means that Heil microphones work well for vocals, guitar amps, acoustic guitars, drums, drum overheads, bass amps, backing vocalists and choirs, and more. 

Try a PR35.  That’s the only way you’ll ever really understand the difference between the PR35 and everything else. 

Heil Sound PR35 Dynamic Handheld Microphone        $249.95

30-Day Money Back Guarantee – period.

Accidents happen.

A few years ago, I was introduced to what was supposed to be the world’s best piano microphone.  It received great reviews, was made here in the USA from solid brass, and from all indications, it was supposed to sound great, and it did. 

Fast forward to mid-2007.  One of my long-time clients called to ask about a “reasonably-priced microphone for grand piano.”  That’s a request that I get all of the time.  Finding the right set-up for grand piano can be an adventure.   

As I drilled down into my memory for a solution, I thought of the solid brass microphone, but it didn’t qualify as reasonably-priced.  What made it special?  Why did it work?  I thought of its structure; it was a small-diaphragm condenser microphone on a boundary – like those used in boardrooms, except that it was optimized for piano. 

My clients buy lots of boardroom microphones (flat, almost disc- or trapezoid-shaped), so I had plenty in stock.  Wondering whether it would work at all, I sent one out just to see what would happen.  I was surprised to find out that with the right placement, that it worked really well and cost 60% less than the solid brass piano microphone. 

Our clients have found this microphone to work well on baby grands and 7’ grand pianos alike.  The church that I attend uses one on its Yamaha baby grand every week. 

Call me to order yours right now.  I’ll let you try it out and explain to you how to place it for best results.  If you’re not satisfied, just send it back. 

Audio-Technica U851R Condenser Microphone       $199.95