Heil PR40 vs Shure SM7B

[mcphillips]

Thanks your input! I am not a big fan of USB mics, especially because of the fact I can't use it with my board. Thank you very much though! I will see if I can test the mics somehow. Maybe Guitar Center if they will put them on display.

The Audio-Technica ATR2100-USB is XLR and USB. It works equally well in both modes and even in both modes at the same time. It's $52 US. If I were you, I'd buy it and put the money you save on some other equipment.

[mcphillips]

So, what else do you have lying around that we might like, Mike?

I collect microphones. It's unusual for me to sell one, but the SM7s just didn't work for me. I have a bunch of SM57s and SM58s, so I sold the SM7s.

[andrewzarian]

Mike What was it about the SM7 that you didnt like ? anything specific stand out. You really know your stuff when it comes to Mics and Audio so I would love to hear why the SM7 didnt do it for you

[mcphillips]

Andrew, what stuck out about it was NOTHING. It's an okay microphone with a great windscreen and stand mount, but the sound is no better than an SM58, to my ears. The ATR2100-USB connected via XLR sounds better.

On an aside, Shure is not the company they used to be. In the old days, you could get mics repaired or rebuilt for a reasonable price for many years after they were discontinued. Now, if the mic is no longer made, you're out of luck. There are mics that have been around for 65 years (Neumann U47). It's really sad when they can't be repaired.

There are some people who love the SM7B. It doesn't impress me. I sold mine to buy another PR40.

There are some simple guidelines to buying microphones that I recommend:

1) If you want a mic with low proximity effect (bass boost), get an RE20.

2) If you want a mic with high proximity effect, get a PR40.

3) If you want a good mic for little money, get the Audio Technica ATR2100-USB.

There are quite a few other very nice mics, but their effectiveness depends on the speaker's voice. The Sennheiser MKH416 works on very few voices, but ones on which it works are pure magic.

Dale Van Horn on an MKH416 with no EQ or compression - recorded in my bedroom.

The solution is to try a mic before you buy it. Mics can be expensive. There's no need to waste money. If you don't have the pipes, a PR40 is not going to make you into Leo Laporte.

[brianmonroe]

mcphillips,

Really well said. There are way to many people that want to be Leo Laporte and so they get the PR40 thinking it will somehow magically change their voice along with give them the success that Leo has had. I do think that way to many IBers get caught up in purchasing expensive hardware before they have any good content or a listener base.

[mcphillips]

Thanks, Brian. Did you click on the Dale Van Horn link?

[brianmonroe]

Thanks, Brian. Did you click on the Dale Van Horn link?

Sorry no. Can you post the link or PM it to me?

[mcphillips]

Look in my 5/17 post above:

"Dale Van Horn on an MKH416 with no EQ or compression - recorded in my bedroom"

[brianmonroe]

mcphillips,

Ahh. Yes. Got it. Listened to. That was great! Really well done. Really smooth. I totally agree that mic sounds great for Dale Van Horn.

[Matt Casillas]

mcphillips,

Really well said. There are way to many people that want to be Leo Laporte and so they get the PR40 thinking it will somehow magically change their voice along with give them the success that Leo has had. I do think that way to many IBers get caught up in purchasing expensive hardware before they have any good content or a listener base.

Agreed.. Many people have done that just because Leo Laporte uses it. I was interested in the PR40 because many people have though of it has a unique mic, especially for a fairly reasonable price. In the long end I did choose the SM7B over the PR40. Sooner or later I will try out the PR40. Thanks Mike, Andrew, Spencer, and anyone else who gave their opinion on which mic they prefer! Much appreciated!