Heil Sound, Ltd. was founded by Bob Heil in 1966. Bob pioneered the live sound industry with clients such as the Grateful Dead, the Who, Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton, Jeff Beck and scores of major touring acts of the 60’s and 70’s.
Bob and Heil Sound have won numerous awards over the years, including the first ever “Pioneer Award” from the Audio Engineering Society, and the Parnelli Award.
In 2007, Bob was invited into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to put up a display of his historically important gear, including the first modular console (the Mavis) his custom quadraphonic mixer (for the Quadraphenia tour) and the very first Heil Talk Box.
No manufacturer has ever been invited into the Rock Hall before.
We have a number of these microphones available for hire either on their own or with our PA systems.
Manufacturer’s Description for Heil Microphones
The Heil HDK drum kit series is a culmination of over 2 years spent on the road with leading drummers. They gave us their ideas, their dreams and their needs which we turned into reality. Every component of a drum kit needs special attention when it comes to reproducing the sound accurately. There are many drum microphones out there but the artists that helped design the Heil drum microphones wanted more accuracy, not just level. Each one of them were tired of little plastic toys that did not reproduce well. They all agreed, after hearing and using the new technologies of the Heil drum microphones, that they had never heard this level of quality reproduction.
The PR48 kick drum microphone starts with our 1.5″ large diaphragm dynamic element sealed in a vulcanized shock mount and fed with a specially designed low pass filter that creates a 10 dB rise from 60 to 100 Hz. – right where the kick drum resonates. We then stay out to 7.5 kHz and drop off drastically to eliminate any unwanted internal sounds. The total frequency reponse is 30Hz – 8.5kHz. Its rear rejection is -40dB @ 180° off axis. It can handle +148dB SPL. The PR48 metal housing was designed with a slanted entrance to the 3 pin XLR so the cable assembly is easier to connect. The microphone provides a 600 ohm balanced output.
The PR 28 is the premier drum microphone designed for toms, snares, bongos and many other applications. The tight cardioid pattern with a wide frequency response and stellar rear rejection makes the PR 28 suitable for many other applications. A unique dual suspension system between the actual dynamic element and the grill and body reduce unwanted vibrations. The PR 28 has a frequency response of 55Hz – 18kHz (3dB rise @3500Hz). Its rear rejection is -35dB @ 180 degrees
off axis. It can handle +148dB SPL.
The Heil PR 22 represents completely new dynamic microphone technology designed for a wide range of professional applications such as live sound, commercial broadcast, and sophisticated recording. Never before has such quality been built into a dynamic vocal microphone. With its wide frequency range, outstandingly low handling noise and ability to handle +140dB SPL, the PR 22 outperforms the tired, 30+ year old industry technology. The end result is a microphone that can answer the call for any application. For example, the gorgeous articulation in the upper mid- range makes the PR 22 the best live vocal microphone, while its outstanding frequency response and superb dynamic range suit it perfectly for use with a snare drum or guitar instrumentation. Since 1982, Heil Sound has been the leading manufacturer of communications microphones and has a paramount understanding of phase co-herence. When properly applied, this knowledge creates an outstanding linear cardioid pattern with up to 40 dB of rear rejection that removes unwanted sounds that try to enter from the off- axis rear. The pattern of the Heil PR 22 is outstanding. No hot spot or unwanted proximity effect. This exceptional performance is achieved by using the ideal combination of materials for the large 1 -1/8′ diameter low mass diaphragm and a special mixture of neodymium, iron, and boron that gives the PR 22 the strongest magnet structure available.
Handling noise occurs from 50 to 100Hz The popular ball microphones band stop their low end response at 125Hz to eliminate handling noise. Of course, they throw away an octave and a half of YOUR voice but you DO have low handling noise! Using the wide 50 Hz. to 18kHz response of the popular PR 20 diaphragm it was necessary for Heil to develop the ISO BAND tm, (patent pending) a special suspension system of Sorbothane rubber to eliminate low frequency handling noise. This new technology has brought an exciting new dimension to this amazing dynamic vocal microphone. This new Heil microphone is usable with extreme high sound pressure levels to nearly 150 dB making it perfect for live vocal and instrument applications as well as a superb microphone for serious recording studios.
For hire costs please refer to our Component Hire page (under Hire Price List).