I'VE FOUND THE BEST MICROPHONE FOR VOCALS AND ACOUSTIC GUITAR!

I have had the opportunity to try out many microphones for recording acoustic guitar and vocals over the last few years. To name a few I've used the Rode K2 Tube mic, the Rode Nt1a, the Rode NT5, the Rode NT4, The Audio Technica 4047, the Audio Technica Pro 37, the Octava MC012, and even a few from DPA. After looking at that list, what I'm about to say may floor a few of you. I have found a mic that blows all of them away and it is made in the USA, it's only $250.00...........AND IT IS A DYNAMIC MIC!!!

It is however, not your average dynamic microphone. It's the HEIL PR35. The technology behind Heil microphones is completely new to the industry and let's just say that these dynamic mics don't sound or behave like any dynamic mics. The PR35 and PR30 basically have the sound characteristics of very expensive and very fragile Ribbon microphones yet they come in a very durable package. The PR35 is basically the PR30 in a handheld package but also offers a 3 position roll off switch which makes this mic incredibly versatile for ANY instrument source. The PR35 has a very wide dynamic range and excels on acoustic guitar!!! It cardioid pickup pattern very effectively rejects sounds from the rear of the mic yet the mic still is free from proximity effect. Therefor it can be used to closely mic acoustic guitars, basses and just about any other instrument with fantastic results. And the PR35 is quickly becoming the industry standard for vocals and guitar cabs!!!!

Many sound engineers and leaving their Neumann mics in the locker and are instead reaching for the Heil PR35 to record vocals, acoustic guitar and guitar cabs!

I got 2 PR35's and set them up on my Composite Acoustics Vintage Performer. I put one around the 12th fret and the other just below the bridge. I positioned them about six inches away. The results I got were stunning. I them compared the tracks to tracks I had recorded with the other mics listed above and the tracks recorded with the PR35 made the other tracks sound muddy and without detail. The acoustic guitar tracks recorded with the PR35 were full and very detailed.

I also recorded vocal tracks with the PR35 and compared them to vocals recorded with the other mics and the results were the same. The vocal tracks recorded with the PR35 sounded much better and needed less EQ.

Although I have not personally recorded any electric guitar amps with the PR35 yet, all indications are that I will be equally impressed with the results. I have gotten feedback from others who have and it sounds like the PR35 will be replacing the Shure SM57 as the industry standard "go to" mic for this purpose.

Considering the HEIL PR35 is only $250 and it's made in the USA and it's outperforming mics 10 times it's price, I think it will be the new favorite in both home studios and pro studios in the very near future!!

Until next time, may the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back.

Patrick
Anthem Guitars & Music
www.anthemguitars.net
email:anthemmusic@integrity.com

Checkout the Heil PR35, PR22 and PR40 at www.anthemguitars.net
worldwide shipping available!

Awesome Sounding Acoustic Guitar Pickups

Technology has come a long way over the last few years when it comes to amplifying the acoustic guitar. There are many pickups and preamps on the market to amplify the acoustic guitar but most fall far short of achieving the tonal characterists of the instrument's unplugged sound. However, there are a few products that really do offer very natural sounding results when it is time to plug in.

In my own journey to find the best sounding acoustic guitar amplification system I am most impressed with products from LR Baggs.

Anyone who has had the pleasure of plugging in a guitar set up with the LR Baggs iMix which features the iBEAM bridge transducer and undersaddle Element paired together was probably pleasantly surprised. I certainly was. I own a Composite Acoustics Vintage Performer (Now known as the 8LV-E) which has the LR Baggs iMix. The first time I plugged it in I was blown away by very natural sound of my guitar coming through the PA! I personally like to mix the iBEAM to about 75% and the Element to 25% with the onboard preamp. It sounded like my guitar only louder. VERY IMPRESSIVE! And I was only running it into a cheapo Behringer Active DI!!! This brings me to my next piece of gear...... The LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI.

The LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI is a must have for anyone playing acoustic guitar live or recording using a pickup. It flat-out makes ANY pickup sound it's best. It boosts the gain of the pickup without adding noise and brings out the BEST tone a pickup can offer. It also features incredible EQ control so anyone can quickly dial in their desired tone. The LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI is also affordable and built like a tank!! It's actually hard to believe that LR Baggs can offer such an incredible piece of gear at such a friendly price!

The LR Baggs M1A Active Soundhole Pickup. I believe this is THE most natural sounding soundhole pickup available anywhere! It's also probably the easiest pickup to install in a guitar and offers INCREDIBLE NATURAL ACOUSTIC GUITAR TONE to an amplifier or PA system. And it is an incredible pickup for the recording studio! The M1A senses vibrations multi-dimensionally and therefor naturally reproduces the sound of the guitar's top or soundboard!! And it installs in minutes!!!

Thanks to LR Baggs, getting the natural sound of your instrument in a live setting has become much easier!!

Until next time, may the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back.

Patrick
Anthem Guitars & Music
www.anthemguitars.net
email:anthemmusic@integrity.com


NEXT BLOG.....
HEIL SOUND'S REVOLUTION OF MICROPHONE TECHNOLOGY!!

(CHECKOUT LR BAGGS PICKUPS AND PREAMPS FOR YOUR ACOUSTIC GUITAR AT www.anthemguitars.net. WORLDWIDE SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!)