Looking to move to PR40

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Mushu

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I'm looking to upgrade from a Blue Yeti to a Heil PR40 for voiceovers and some podcasting. I'm also looking to buy a Behringer Xenyx 502 mixer, along with a cable to connect the main out to the 3.5mm input on my laptop.

How much of a difference will I notice between the Blue Yeti and Heil PR40? Is this a good setup and is it worth my money? I want to stay around $400 or less.
 
Your set up: Microphone -> cable -> mixer -> cable -> computer, is what's called a signal chain and a chain is always as strong as it's weakest link.

If you get a great mic and put it through cheap cables (?), through a cheap Behringer mixer and into a regular soundcard, you greatly diminish the quality of the mic.

If you need to; buy the Behringer mixer used. Upgrade to a good pre-amp as soon as you have funds.
 
That's some good advise. Do you think it sound better than my Blue Yeti microphone? And will I need to buy a USB audio interface like the Behringer UCA202, or is it fine to use the 3.5mm jack on my laptop? I mean my audio recordings go most likely gets majorly processed when it's uploaded to MP3, Youtube, live streams, etc.
 
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Mushu said:
That's some good advise. Do you think it sound better than my Blue Yeti microphone? And will I need to buy a USB audio interface like the Behringer UCA202, or is it fine to use the 3.5mm jack on my laptop? I mean my audio recordings go most likely gets majorly processed when it's uploaded to MP3, Youtube, live streams, etc.
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Usb interface with a microphone preamp is the way to go!
 
...PR40 is not a great vocal mic...not truly bad, but not great, in general...the PR30 may be a better choice for voice in the Heil line...but you might do well to consider the KEL HM-2D...sounds like a dynamic, but with condenser sensitivity...and less expensive (with a 30 day money back return policy!)...

Kel Audio -- HM-2D
 
The KEL HM-2D sounds okay from the recordings on their site. I'm not sure. My voice isn't really deep, I would say I have the average male voice. If you guys say the PR-40 won't work great on vocals, then what other mics do you recommend that's around $300 or less?
 
The Heil is fine for podcasting and voice-overs. They're not fantastic vocally in music, which is where I think the advice is coming from. On YouTube, there's a very high profile video of a guy using the Heil on the air.

Although for $300 or less. The HM2 does make the voice sound beefy. A used SM7B is an obvious suggestion; if you're lucky, the RE-20 will be found for under $300. But you'd consider yourself lucky.
 
...remember, a true dynamic (like the Heil, SM7, RE20) will require more preamp gain, and judging from your preamp options, a condenser mic (like the HM-2D) will have a lower noise floor, which is important when podcasting...you don't need a "deep" voice, as the HM-2D will add some thickness to yours (think "radio voice") and reduce mouth noise, based on it's frequency response...and don't overlook the 30 day return option...
 
Interesting. I think that I will stick with dynamics. I like the RE20 , but can't find one for cheap. What are the big differences between the Heil PR30 and PR40?
 
Mushu said:
Interesting. I think that I will stick with dynamics. I like the RE20 , but can't find one for cheap. What are the big differences between the Heil PR30 and PR40?
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You can find the EV used all day long on evilbay, Craigslist list. ;)
 
Oh yes, forgot eBay. I didn't see any on Craigslist, but there is one for a bit under $300 with a "buy it now" option, so hope it's still there if I choose it. I'm torn between the Heil PR30 (35?), PR40, and the RE20 (if I can get it for a good price). Maybe I should upload a MP3 sample of my voice with my current Blue Yeti microphone so you guys can help me judge what mic would be good to upgrade to.
 
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No, no, no ..... that's OK!



Just kidding, around give it a shot.
 
Mushu said:
Here is a badly improvised sample: reuploading
Weird, doesn't sound like any of my other recordings at all.
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To tell you the truth Mushu that didn't sound all that bad and I m listening right now on computer speakers much like when viewing Utube. Maybe this is all you'll need to do Utube postings.
 
I also reuploaded a new sample, because I exported with the wrong settings in Audacity so check that out. But do you really think so? It still sounds pretty robotic to me. To be honest, it's hard to do voiceovers with the Yeti for some reason, but that's for me personally.

Actually, if I move further away from the Yeti, that's where it begins to sound a bit tinny/robotic to me, even after I messed around with the gain settings. If I get in close like I did, it sounds a bit smoother, but a bit boomy at times. I was told that I would get the sound I wanted if I moved away from USB mics, but IDK about all of that. And I guess I can't go with the Heil PR's because they would need a really powerful preamp as someone said earlier in the thread.
 
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The final product of a real microphone will undoubtedly sound better but it all depends what you want as a final product.
What is the voiceover for on Utube?
 
Mushu said:
And will I need to buy a USB audio interface like the Behringer UCA202...
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USB is probably a good idea, Behringer (most of the time) isn't.

You've grasped the fact that a Heil mic is better then a Behringer mic. It's like that across the board.

Once in a while Behringer will have something good like the Edison stereo expander, V-Verb effects unit, Space-C chorus pedal... and even though these sound good, they are flimsy.

Most of the time it's better to avoid them. I'm afraid we got ourself into a bit of an expensive hobby. :rolleyes:
 
kidvybes said:
...PR40 is not a great vocal mic...not truly bad, but not great, in general...the PR30 may be a better choice for voice in the Heil line...but you might do well to consider the KEL HM-2D...sounds like a dynamic, but with condenser sensitivity...and less expensive (with a 30 day money back return policy!)...

Kel Audio -- HM-2D
Click to expand...

Usually I'm with you on you rmic taste. I agree it may not be the best for everything but voice over its great. The only thing I'm worried about is how it'll souind through the mixer. Its a dynamic and requires a bit of gain. You may want to look at a better pre if you do go the pr40 route.
 
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