Founded in 1966 by Bob Heil, Heil Sound is a professional audio company that has managed to flourish for decades thanks in part to their extensive knowledge of the market and forward-thinking microphone designs. With that said, we're taking a look at a mic that definitely follows that philosophy -- the Heil Sound PR35. If you're looking for something a bit different than the typical industry standard, you've found the right mic.   

The Features

The Heil Sound PR 35 is dynamic cardioid microphone based on the company's highly popular PR 30 and was designed as a highly versatile piece of gear, able to handle everything from broadcast applications, studio work and -- of course -- live stage duties. A key aspect of the PR 35 is its extended frequency response of 40Hz - 18kHz, much wider than your typical live dynamic mic, especially on the low-end side. It also features a special magnet structure and large aluminum 1 1/2" low mass voice coil assembly, giving it a very smooth overall response, as well as a humbucking coil for reduced EMI interference (especially handy when working near video monitors). Other key features include a three position roll off switch -- the first position is flat, the second position rolls off at -3 dB while the last position rolls off at -6 dB. While this mic is definitely on the lighter side compared to your typical live mic (a bit over half a pound to be more precise), it has a solid overall feel nonetheless. You should be able to handle the PR 35 without much worry thanks to its steel body construction and should easily survive the occasional drop and typical wear and tear of constant use. And last but not least, the PR 35 also comes with a leatherette carrying bag and mic clip that mounts to any 5/8"- 27 mic thread.  
Heil Sound PR35 @ $277.00 The PR 35 achieves its exceptional performance by using a special magnet structure and a large aluminum 1 1/2" low mass voice coil assembly. A carefully wound and placed hum bucking coil allows the PR 35 to be used close to video monitors without unwanted hum or buzz. Special attention has been paid to the phasing plug assembly with equally placed ports that sense audio from behind the source. It then enters them out of phase thus producing a very linear cardioid pattern. This reduces the proximity effect while achieving the extreme articulation across its smooth 40 Hz- 18 kHz frequency response. The new Heil element can be used in extreme high sound pressure levels and is immune to overload conditions. It produces a beautifully smooth audio response without the inconvenience of phantom or outside d.c. powering.
 

The Sound

If you're looking for a mic that all about clear, vibrant, cutting tone with a rich and detailed low end, then the PR 35 certainly delivers. If you're accustomed to the Shure SM58, you'll find the PR 35 produces a much more articulate response, especially in the lower-midrange, making vocals sound much more defined and structured. The PR 35 also gives off very little, if any, coloration, making this mic a great choice for applications where natural sound reproduction is key. While the Sorbothane shock mount certainly gives this mic improved handling over its predecessor, it remains a somewhat sensitive mic. Plosives will also be an issue with a mic for the same reason. Still, most of the handling noise and plosives can be mitigated once you get feel for the mic's intricacies. While sensitive, it actually performs amazingly well in loud environments, with virtually no background noise bleed. Overall, this is a very smooth mic that should work great on genres where cutting, prominently featured vocals are a must.  

Final Thoughts ...

If you're in the market for a fantastic live vocal mic, look no further than the Heil Sound PR 35. Featuring superb clarity, a fantastic frequency range, and a rich, detailed low-end, you have a mic that is well worth the price. While it does have some slight sensitivity issues, the overall performance more than makes up for those small blemishes. If you're tired of the same old stage mics and looking for something a bit different but in a good way, I highly recommend the Heil Sound PR 35.