HEIL Classic Pro

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yrdbrd

yrdbrd

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anyone here have experience with the HEIL Classic Pro mic

i've read that it's a large diaphram dynamic so would that
make it in any way similar to say a Shure SM7 or EV RE20 ?

i've heard reel good things about there PR series mics...

any hands/ears on info would be much appreciated

thanks
 
I have the Heil Heritage and I believe (I could be wrong) it has the same capsule. I believe they are the same as a Pr20. If it is the same as the heritage, then no it is not anything like an sm7. Almost opposite. On vocals the Sm7 is very full sounding. The heritage is very hollow by comparison. If you're buying with the expectation that they're comparable, I think you'll be greatly disappointed.
 
The PR-40 has long been regarded as a great mic (Tom Joyner still uses this on his morning show) and it compares with the Shure and EV, but the Classic looks like a gimmick to me.

If you want a Heil for voice, save up a few dollars and buy a PR-30 or PR-40.
 
I've got a Classic Pro. I kinda like it. I bought it mostly for the cool looks--but at a clearance price. I haven't tracked anything but spoken voice, but I liked it. I lined it up with an SM7, SM57 and SM58. Closest in sound to the 58, but fuller. Not as even as an SM7, but hotter.

I'll definitely be giving it a shot for vocals in the future.
 
I got one also in the stupid buy.

It does have a nice sound - very different from a SM7b - thinner, yes, but solid sounding. I won't use it as much as the SM7b, and there is a bit of a gimmick aspect, but I'm glad I have it.

One thing to note: it apparently has very little or no internal damping - because it looks so cool, I put it on a round-base mic stand, and it sits on a wood floor. When it's hooked up through the monitor, you hear every footstep that comes anywhere near the mic stand, sort of like a giant is walking by (and the same is not true at all with a SM7b on the same stand, same floor) - I think some sort of in-stand shock absorption would be a good idea if there are going to be any nearby vibrations.
 
antichef said:
I got one also in the stupid buy.

It does have a nice sound - very different from a SM7b - thinner, yes, but solid sounding. I won't use it as much as the SM7b, and there is a bit of a gimmick aspect, but I'm glad I have it.

One thing to note: it apparently has very little or no internal damping - because it looks so cool, I put it on a round-base mic stand, and it sits on a wood floor. When it's hooked up through the monitor, you hear every footstep that comes anywhere near the mic stand, sort of like a giant is walking by (and the same is not true at all with a SM7b on the same stand, same floor) - I think some sort of in-stand shock absorption would be a good idea if there are going to be any nearby vibrations.
Click to expand...

Yup, I use it as a live mic but if anyone starts tapping their foot it better be in time.....
 
thanks for all the replys

must say i like the retro look... but was really hoping it
would be kinda similar to the SM7, do to it having a larger dia.

so... guess i'll be savin up for an SM7 or maybe one of the PRs

thx for steering me in the right direction once again guys
 
FYI - a little late here, but I own and LOVE the Heil Classic mic. mine is the rock'n'roll heritage limited version with Bob Heil's signature on it (woohoo!).

So anyway, tone wise I'd say it's nothing like the SM7 in a GOOD way.

I highly dislike the sm7 - I know I know, but after decades in the business I have learned to dislike what the sm7 did to many of the rock singers I grew up listening to. Mostly it's the bass rolloff (mid boost) switch setting that everyone seemed to use for years and years. setup flat it's a very good mic.

anyway, the heil classic - it's BRIGHT but not harsh at all, really deep and full at the same time. Very hot output for a dynamic. maybe very slightly scooped, but still has plenty of presence for lead vocal recording. I remove some of the top but I leave it there, just shelved down a bit.

On female vocals it's awesome. It sounds more like a condensor than most condensors do. In fact it sounds rather a lot like a U87 if you treat it the same way. One of very few dynamics that benefits from de-essing, but not harsh at all like chinese condensors can often be.

It does appear to have ZERO internal vibration dampening... don't touch it and make sure it's on concrete and keep the stand's base away from feet. I'd like to see some kind of spider for it, but I can't imagine how right now with that body...

For me it's one of my goto female alto singer/songwriter types of mics. I hate the mids-emphasized sound of the SM7, that's why I prefer the virtually flat hifi sound of the heil classic.

Can't say enough about it, both the good and the frustrating, as noted above.

I really wish it had some kind of built in switchable high shelf reduction circuit though, it's just a little TOO hot sometimes up high for my likes, even though again it's never harsh or grating at all.

Almost like a cross between a U87 and a true hot vintage telefunken.
 
Heil classic pro

Ive used this mike now for several recordings in a high background noise invironment. (I.E. refrigerator, close road noise, etc.) and it works fantastic. Has a GREAT sound for many things. Ive recorded vocals and instruments and works well for just about everything. You really do get the codenser like sound without picking up the rats scratching in the walls as you might with actual condensers. Just keep rolling off the volume till the meter quits picking up the background noise, experiment on how close to work the mic at that level and youre set to make some great recordings.I also have a Ksm32 and several others that just reach out to far in their sound grab. Just get one, try it if background noise is a problem as it often is in makeshift studio environs. I wouldnt be surprised to see this mike become a highly sought after item because of this. May be the home recording studios best kept secret! Just my opinion but I love it. Bought 2 for 200 bucks!:D
 
I picked one of these up for a bandmate last year. He's a very talented vocalist/harmonica player. It's worked great for him. Definately has a cleaner more 'condensery' tone than most dynamics. Not much proximity effect, but it really cuts through a mix.

And Chicks Dig It.
 
I bought a pair for work to use as "props."


My main VO mic is a Heil 40. Much brighter than an RE-20. I like it because I usually don't need to eq a voice track recorded with it when I mix.
 
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