If I were going to lay down the $700-ish for a good audio chain the mic would probably be the pr40. Other than it sounds great on pretty much everyone (check out the TWIT network to hear a lot of different voices on it) it has great rejection of unwanted noise. Also it's difficult to pop even without a filter (talk off axis). Right now I'm working on my voice using a Blue Yeti, but once I feel I have a marketable product the investment in a pr40 will be a no-brainer.
@driftapex If I were lazy I'd just go with one of those "XLR to USB" devices, like the Blue Icicle. Actually, I'd probably go with the Shure X2U. However, I've been eyeing the ART Tube MP USB Project Series Preamp. It seems to offer more features/quality for less money than the X2U. The M-Audio Fast Track would also work for voice over. Then there's always Behringer if I want to take a look at their options.
Lot's of options, but as of right now I like the ART.
@driftapex As far as the other stuff in a good audio chain (amp, compressor, mixer, etc.) I haven't explored those options yet so I can't recommend products in those areas. Of course even the preamps I mentioned in my prior post should be taken with a grain of salt since I haven't tested them. I'm just going off of reviews and the occasional audio example I can find. Even then I don't have any training in audio, so that's fair ground for questioning my judgment.
@TheCrypticPie I own both microphones. They both have different sound signatures. The weakest parts of my audio chain may be my preamp and the audio interface. In some of my tests, the Blue Yeti sounds better. In other tests, the PR40 does the job better. It takes a lot of time to figure out which mic will work the best for you really. If I can live with the Yeti, then selling the PR40 will save a lot of money, but it's hard to tell without lots of trial and error.
@driftapex I wish you luck. My knee-jerk reaction is to tell you to keep the PR40 (I just love the sound isolation). If you haven't taken a look at the "artofpodcasting" review of the PR40 you'll be able to hear the difference between processed and unprocessed sound from the mic (there's a download link for unprocessed audio on the review page). Go ahead and email that guy if you want to know how he gets that sound.
That PR40 blows the MXL out of the water, around Jupiter, and into the Sun, hearing your previous podcasts. It's one of the best, and hundreds of Ham Radio operators like myself agree. If only our station had one.
@driftapex Mic goes to an Alesis MultiMix8 Firewire - but I'm not using the Firewire portion. It goes out of the mixer from analog to my sound card. Hope that helps!
@DavidPwnsVlog I currently have a Behringer Xenyx 502 mixer and UCA202 USB with the Heil PR-40. I'm not impressed with my sound. All of the Twit guys, your audio, and most PR40 users have this one sound characteristic that you can hear - not sure what it's called but you probably know what I'm saying. Does the preamp play a big part in the sound?
@driftapex What I'm betting on you hearing is compression. Compression helps get that really fat low end, and some good treble into the mic (or that's what I use it for anyways). I can't remember if I used compression on this video - I bet I did. I, however don't use a hardware compressor. Depending on what audio software you use (I use Adobe Audition), the software may come with plug-ins for compression. Watch "How I Record Noisivitca" which shows how I use Audition and its various plug-ins.
@DavidPwnsVlog Very good to know! If I spring for one, now I know that the shockmount is worth getting. I suspected that it was an option, sold to those who might be using it on film and wanted the showiness and dramatic look of a "pro" mic. Now I know better. Thanks. That being the case, I have a Neumann and an Audio Technica and they both came with shockmounts. If the mic really benefits from one, it's kind of odd that it doesn't come with one.
@cioccciocc Definitely - I still have not purchased the shockmount (as you can see by my more recent shows), but I will eventually. Which Neumann do you have, and do you like it? I'm just not a fan of condensers these days. But that could all change. The Heil is an awesome all around mic, with a better-than-condenser (in my opinion) sound. If you spring for it, you will absolutely love it!!
@disturbedrocks992 The microphone boom is $105.00 and the shockmount is the same $105.00. Hope this helps. You can pick up a shockmount on EBay for $30.00 for the PR40. Good luck and nice sound. I would have dropped the Je### comment!
Quick question, do you need to be right on the mic like you are in this vid to get good sound from it?
Because I think with the Procaster and the RE20 you can keep a good bit of distance while it remains sounding great, yet with the Shure SM7B you need to be right on top which is no good for my way of using it.
So yeah, do you need to be really close to the mic?
@Decenium You don't need to necessarily be directly on top of the mic. However, you do need to be on axis to the mic. This basically means your mouth should be level to where the end of the mic is. I like the sound of being right on top of it - I think it sounds better. That may just be me though.
I got myself one too!! It's amazing on the ham bands!
sterwing 4 days ago
Heil makes great mics
our artist Niva uses the heil PR-20 on all of her shows.
Everywhere she goes no one has ever heard of heil.
They are left very impressed. watch?v=Odp6_DKKlDM
nublackmusic 1 month ago
What headphones are you using and how do they sound?
thewii552 2 months ago
If I were going to lay down the $700-ish for a good audio chain the mic would probably be the pr40. Other than it sounds great on pretty much everyone (check out the TWIT network to hear a lot of different voices on it) it has great rejection of unwanted noise. Also it's difficult to pop even without a filter (talk off axis). Right now I'm working on my voice using a Blue Yeti, but once I feel I have a marketable product the investment in a pr40 will be a no-brainer.
TheCrypticPie 4 months ago
@TheCrypticPie What kind of preamp and/or audio interface would you buy then?
driftapex 4 months ago
@driftapex If I were lazy I'd just go with one of those "XLR to USB" devices, like the Blue Icicle. Actually, I'd probably go with the Shure X2U. However, I've been eyeing the ART Tube MP USB Project Series Preamp. It seems to offer more features/quality for less money than the X2U. The M-Audio Fast Track would also work for voice over. Then there's always Behringer if I want to take a look at their options.
Lot's of options, but as of right now I like the ART.
TheCrypticPie 4 months ago
@driftapex As far as the other stuff in a good audio chain (amp, compressor, mixer, etc.) I haven't explored those options yet so I can't recommend products in those areas. Of course even the preamps I mentioned in my prior post should be taken with a grain of salt since I haven't tested them. I'm just going off of reviews and the occasional audio example I can find. Even then I don't have any training in audio, so that's fair ground for questioning my judgment.
TheCrypticPie 4 months ago
@TheCrypticPie I own both microphones. They both have different sound signatures. The weakest parts of my audio chain may be my preamp and the audio interface. In some of my tests, the Blue Yeti sounds better. In other tests, the PR40 does the job better. It takes a lot of time to figure out which mic will work the best for you really. If I can live with the Yeti, then selling the PR40 will save a lot of money, but it's hard to tell without lots of trial and error.
driftapex 4 months ago
@driftapex I wish you luck. My knee-jerk reaction is to tell you to keep the PR40 (I just love the sound isolation). If you haven't taken a look at the "artofpodcasting" review of the PR40 you'll be able to hear the difference between processed and unprocessed sound from the mic (there's a download link for unprocessed audio on the review page). Go ahead and email that guy if you want to know how he gets that sound.
TheCrypticPie 4 months ago
I could hear your voice on the radio. Thanks for the review
YeahImAWizard 6 months ago
That PR40 blows the MXL out of the water, around Jupiter, and into the Sun, hearing your previous podcasts. It's one of the best, and hundreds of Ham Radio operators like myself agree. If only our station had one.
73 de N0SSC
sterwing 6 months ago
@sterwing Thanks for the kind words! I'm currently studying for my HAM license as we speak. Maybe I'll catch you on the air one day!
73
Dave
DavidPwnsVlog 6 months ago
What audio interface do you use?
driftapex 7 months ago
@driftapex Mic goes to an Alesis MultiMix8 Firewire - but I'm not using the Firewire portion. It goes out of the mixer from analog to my sound card. Hope that helps!
DavidPwnsVlog 7 months ago
@DavidPwnsVlog I currently have a Behringer Xenyx 502 mixer and UCA202 USB with the Heil PR-40. I'm not impressed with my sound. All of the Twit guys, your audio, and most PR40 users have this one sound characteristic that you can hear - not sure what it's called but you probably know what I'm saying. Does the preamp play a big part in the sound?
driftapex 7 months ago
@driftapex What I'm betting on you hearing is compression. Compression helps get that really fat low end, and some good treble into the mic (or that's what I use it for anyways). I can't remember if I used compression on this video - I bet I did. I, however don't use a hardware compressor. Depending on what audio software you use (I use Adobe Audition), the software may come with plug-ins for compression. Watch "How I Record Noisivitca" which shows how I use Audition and its various plug-ins.
DavidPwnsVlog 7 months ago
Love your voice, I jelly
ImSuchaGamer 7 months ago
sorry need to repost that, David, where did you find that metal pop screen?
donvizz7th 8 months ago
@donvizz7th It's the REPOP from BSWUSA.
DavidPwnsVlog 8 months ago
@davidpwnsblog where did you find the metal pop screen?
donvizz7th 8 months ago
The Heil shockmount sure is pretty, but I can't understand why a dynamic mic would need a shockmount?
cioccciocc 10 months ago
@cioccciocc After using it for a while, I can understand why. I definitely hear a lot of desk noise after barely bumping into the desk.
DavidPwnsVlog 10 months ago
@DavidPwnsVlog Very good to know! If I spring for one, now I know that the shockmount is worth getting. I suspected that it was an option, sold to those who might be using it on film and wanted the showiness and dramatic look of a "pro" mic. Now I know better. Thanks. That being the case, I have a Neumann and an Audio Technica and they both came with shockmounts. If the mic really benefits from one, it's kind of odd that it doesn't come with one.
cioccciocc 10 months ago
@cioccciocc Definitely - I still have not purchased the shockmount (as you can see by my more recent shows), but I will eventually. Which Neumann do you have, and do you like it? I'm just not a fan of condensers these days. But that could all change. The Heil is an awesome all around mic, with a better-than-condenser (in my opinion) sound. If you spring for it, you will absolutely love it!!
DavidPwnsVlog 10 months ago
Hey, how much does a mic stand like that cost? The mic sounds great by the way.
disturbedrocks992 10 months ago
@disturbedrocks992 Youtube wouldn't let me respond to your comment. I PM'd you.
DavidPwnsVlog 10 months ago
@disturbedrocks992 The microphone boom is $105.00 and the shockmount is the same $105.00. Hope this helps. You can pick up a shockmount on EBay for $30.00 for the PR40. Good luck and nice sound. I would have dropped the Je### comment!
42technoman 10 months ago
@Mandalearn Thanks!
DavidPwnsVlog 11 months ago
Man, sounds great.
Quick question, do you need to be right on the mic like you are in this vid to get good sound from it?
Because I think with the Procaster and the RE20 you can keep a good bit of distance while it remains sounding great, yet with the Shure SM7B you need to be right on top which is no good for my way of using it.
So yeah, do you need to be really close to the mic?
Decenium 11 months ago
@Decenium You don't need to necessarily be directly on top of the mic. However, you do need to be on axis to the mic. This basically means your mouth should be level to where the end of the mic is. I like the sound of being right on top of it - I think it sounds better. That may just be me though.
DavidPwnsVlog 11 months ago
do a head to head. record the same thing, at the same time. with the pr-40 and the mxl 990.
skikarl 1 year ago
@skikarl If I weren't lazy, I might.
DavidPwnsVlog 1 year ago
@DavidPwnsVlog
hehe good luck with your pursue in radio with that attitude ;)
Decenium 11 months ago
@Decenium I was being facetious - I do actually plan on doing this eventually.
DavidPwnsVlog 11 months ago