
( Brand: Heil ), ( Part Type: Microphone Drum ), ( Form Factor: Dynamic Microphone ), ( UPC: 885936793185 )
The **Heil PR-31 BW All-Purpose Dynamic Microphone** (model number 885936793185) is a versatile and ruggedly built instrument designed to deliver exceptional clarity and durability for live performances, studio recording, and professional sound reinforcement applications. Engineered with Heil s signature precision and craftsmanship, this dynamic microphone is a reliable workhorse for capturing the full spectrum of sound from drums, cymbals, and other percussion instruments, as well as vocals, guitars, and even ambient room tones. Its robust construction features a heavy-duty, all-metal housing with a reinforced grille, ensuring resistance to physical impact, moisture, and the rigors of touring or studio use. The PR-31 BW excels in high-output environments, such as drum kits and cymbals, where its dynamic element efficiently converts acoustic energy into a clean, low-noise electrical signal without the need for phantom power, making it an ideal choice for both powered and unpowered setups.
The microphone s broad, flat frequency response ranging from 20Hz to 20kHz ensures a natural and uncolored reproduction of sound, allowing engineers and performers to retain the authentic character of their instruments. Its cardioid polar pattern minimizes unwanted ambient noise and off-axis sound pickup, providing a focused and controlled capture of the desired source while reducing feedback and interference from surrounding equipment. The PR-31 BW is particularly well-suited for drum overheads, where its ability to handle high SPL (sound pressure levels) without distortion ensures that crashes, rides, and hi-hats are recorded with clarity and power. Additionally, its versatility extends beyond drums; it can also be effectively used for close-miking guitars, basses, and even as a vocal microphone in live settings, thanks to its smooth, extended frequency response and robust build.
For professionals who demand reliability and performance, the Heil PR-31 BW is equipped with a standard 3-pin XLR connector, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of audio interfaces, mixers, and recording systems. Its durable, all-metal construction not only enhances its longevity but also contributes to its professional-grade sound quality, free from the coloration or phase issues often associated with cheaper microphones. Whether used in a touring band, a recording studio, or a live sound reinforcement setup, the PR-31 BW delivers a consistent and high-fidelity performance, making it a trusted tool for musicians, sound engineers, and audio professionals who refuse to compromise on quality. Its combination of ruggedness, clarity, and adaptability cements its reputation as a dependable all-purpose microphone for virtually any acoustic or percussion application.
### **Pros and Cons of buying a Heil PR-31 BW All-Purpose Dynamic Microphone (Model 885936793185)**
#### **Pros**
1. **Versatile Use Case** The Heil PR-31 BW is designed as an all-purpose dynamic microphone, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including drums (cymbals, toms, snare), percussion, and even some vocal or acoustic guitar use. Its balanced response helps it adapt to different sounds without requiring excessive EQ adjustments.
2. **Durable and Rugged Construction** Heil microphones are known for their robust build quality. The PR-31 is designed to withstand the rigors of live performance and studio use, including impacts from drumsticks or cymbal crashes. The metal mesh grille protects the internal components from dust and debris.
3. **Balanced Frequency Response** The microphone features a smooth, neutral frequency response (10 Hz to 18 kHz) that captures detail without excessive boominess or harshness. This makes it a reliable choice for capturing natural drum tones without overemphasizing any particular frequency range.
4. **Low Noise Floor** As a dynamic microphone, the PR-31 has a self-noise level of approximately 22 dB, which is relatively low for its class. This ensures clean recordings with minimal unwanted background noise, even in loud environments.
5. **Consistent Performance** Heil microphones are known for their reliability and consistency. The PR-31 delivers stable output across different environments, making it a dependable tool for both studio and live settings.
6. **Affordable for Its Class** Compared to some high-end drum microphones, the PR-31 offers excellent value for money. It provides professional-grade performance without the premium price tag of brands like Shure or Sennheiser.
7. **Easy to Use** The microphone features a standard 3-pin connector (with optional XLR adapter) and a simple, unidirectional polar pattern, which reduces feedback and off-axis noise. It requires minimal setup and adjustment.
8. **Good for Beginners and Professionals** Whether you're a beginner looking for a reliable drum mic or a professional seeking a backup or versatile tool, the PR-31 performs well across skill levels.
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#### **Cons**
1. **Not Specialized for Any Single Drum** While the PR-31 is versatile, it lacks the specialized tuning of microphones designed for specific drums (e.g., a kick drum mic with a tuned bass response or a snare mic with a bright, punchy tone). If you're looking for a microphone that excels at one particular drum, you might need to pair it with other mics.
2. **Dynamic Sensitivity to Placement** Dynamic microphones like the PR-31 are highly sensitive to placement. Moving the mic even a few inches can drastically change the tone. This requires careful experimentation and adjustment, which can be time-consuming for beginners.
3. **No Built-in Pop Windshield** The PR-31 does not come with a pop filter or windshield, which may be necessary for certain applications (e.g., close-miking snare wires or toms in a noisy environment). You may need to purchase these accessories separately.
4. **Limited High-Frequency Extension** While the PR-31 has a decent high-end response, it may not capture the bright, snappy highs of some specialized drum mics. If you're recording for a genre that relies heavily on crisp high frequencies (e.g., rock or metal), you might need to boost the highs in post-production.
5. **No Built-in Pad or High-Pass Filter** Unlike some drum microphones, the PR-31 lacks a built-in pad (for reducing signal levels) or a high-pass filter (for cutting low-end rumble). This means you may need to rely on your mixing console or audio interface to manage these settings.
6. **Not Ideal for Extreme Environments** While the PR-31 is durable, it may not perform as well in extremely harsh conditions (e.g., outdoor drumming, heavy dust, or moisture). In such cases, a more rugged or specialized microphone might be preferable.
7. **Limited Brand Recognition** While Heil is a respected brand in the audio industry, it may not have the same level of brand recognition or community support as Shure, Sennheiser, or AKG. This could make it harder to find replacement parts or accessories in some regions.
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### **Conclusion**
The Heil PR-31 BW All-Purpose Dynamic Microphone is a well-rounded, reliable, and versatile tool that excels in capturing a wide range of drum and percussion sounds. Its balanced frequency response, durability, and affordability make it an excellent choice for beginners, intermediate users, and professionals looking for a backup or versatile mic. However, its lack of specialization for any single drum and sensitivity to placement may require additional effort to achieve optimal results.
If you're looking for a single microphone to cover multiple drums or need a reliable, no-frills option for live or studio use, the PR-31 is a strong contender. For those seeking highly specialized tone for specific drums (e.g., a kick drum with deep bass or a snare with punchy attack), pairing it with other mics or using it as a secondary mic might be more beneficial.
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### **Recommendation**
**Buy the Heil PR-31 BW if:**- You need a versatile, all-purpose drum microphone for a variety of sounds (cymbals, toms, snare, etc.).
- You're on a budget but still want professional-quality performance.
- You prioritize durability and low noise in your recordings.
- You're a beginner or intermediate user looking for a reliable mic without complex features.
**Consider alternatives if:**- You need a microphone specifically tuned for one drum (e.g., kick, snare, or overheads).
- You require built-in pads, high-pass filters, or other features for convenience.
- You're working in extreme environments where ruggedness is critical.
Overall, the Heil PR-31 BW is a solid, practical choice for drum recording and live performance, offering great value for its performance.
The Heil PR 31 BW was a suggestion of Bob Workman, FOH engineer for Charlie Daniels, who uses microphones exclusively. Designed as a 4. It has the same great frequency response, wonderful front pattern, and incredible 40 dB of rear side rejection, which is perfect for using PR 31 BW as an 'dunderhead' microphone cymbals. Transducer: Dynamic.
Polar Pattern: Superseded. Bob uses the Heil PR 30 for just about every application but it was too large physically to fit in and around drum kit so suggested 'cut half,' that's exactly what they did 31 BW born a 4' version of that exhibits all specs full-size.