The Bottom Line
The Heil PR-20 UT is a unique microphone; it sounds great, is built like a tank, and costs a fraction of what you'd expect.
The PR-20 sounds fantastic on just about anything, especially for the price. With a few exceptions, sound quality is exceptional on most any source you put in front of.
Priced at $99, it's a heavy competitor to many other good microphones. Whether you're a working musician, aspiring recording engineer, Podcaster, or experienced industry pro, the Heil PR-20 UT is a great choice that holds its own against the competition -- some costing many times more.
The PR-20 sounds fantastic on just about anything, especially for the price. With a few exceptions, sound quality is exceptional on most any source you put in front of.
Priced at $99, it's a heavy competitor to many other good microphones. Whether you're a working musician, aspiring recording engineer, Podcaster, or experienced industry pro, the Heil PR-20 UT is a great choice that holds its own against the competition -- some costing many times more.
Pros
- Exceptional sound & build quality
- Great Value Compared To Same-Priced Competition
- Great "utility player" mic -- good for multiple sources
Cons
- High handling noise for handheld use
Description
- Cardioid vocal microphone; 50Hz to 18kHz
- Exceptional vocal microphone; great performance on drums and guitars, as well.
- Neodynium, iron & boron element; great feedback rejection
- Some moderate handling noise; best suited for on-stand applications.
- Available now; $99
Guide Review - Heil PR-20 Utility Microphone
Heil Sound has begun offering the PR-20 UT (for "utility"), which is their award-winning PR-20 microphone packaged only with a microphone clip, windscreen, and stand adapter -- specially priced at only $99.My first impression of the PR-20 UT is the build quality -- and when you're a working musician, that's very important. The PR-20 has no fully-plastic parts, like some similarly-priced competition.
I've tried the PR-20UT on everything from snare drum to acoustic guitar, and it sounds great every time -- even in less-than-ideal acoustic situations. In a live environment, you'll find that the incredible rear rejection helps avoid feedback. Mixing live with the PR-20 UT, I was able to flatten out the monitor EQ and, with limited adjustments, bring up the mics to a full, balanced sound with nearly no feedback.
Vocals are where the PR-20 UT really shines. Compared to a $99 Shure SM-58, the PR-20 UT showed exceptional midrange articulation, with good detail. It also exhibited less proximity effect, and a much more pleasing low-mids (although, on some preamps, the PR-20 UT sounded a little strong in the 450Hz area).
My only complaint about the PR-20 UT is the handling noise, especially when not used on a stand. I wouldn't use the PR-20 UT in a studio recording or Podcasting situation without a solid stand and shockmount. While other reviewers have referred to the handling noise as anywhere from "unnoticeable" to "completely unacceptable", I find myself in the middle -- it wasn't an issue that couldn't be overcome with a little creative EQ (and the handling noise problem is eliminated in the PR-20 UT's big brother, the PR-22).
Overall, for the price, the Heil PR-20 UT is a fantastic mic. If you can handle the handling noise (especially for stage musicians, since your mics mainly stay on stands), you're in for a great deal.
