For vocals I've settled into the EV N/D 767a camp over the years. I have a wired and wireless version depending on my gig.
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Heil PR 35---best all around mic ever?
- Thread starter JimmyM
- Start date
I actually have been using a Shure Beta 87A. I love it. However after 3 years of so many indoor and outdoor shows all over the midwest the mic crapped out. It just stopped working. Now I am looking at $110 to have it sent to Shure and have it repaired. I am not certain I want to go that route. I love the tone of my 87A, but I think I want better. Please know, I always have a Beta 58, Beta 57, SM58 and SM57 with me at all times, but they are only back up mic's. I am kind of crazy like that.
If a system is wrung out for a 58, whether a different mic will work or be a feedback problem is anyone's guess.
Up until last week I'd been using the PR-35 since the end of December as my sole vocal mic and have finally gone back to my previous favorite, the Audio Technica AE-6100.
Lined up some prime mics at a friends studio and we took turns singing through:
Sennheiser 935 & 945
Audio Technica AE-6100
Heil PR-35
Audix OM-7 and a few other mics.
The end result is that I'm keeping my AE-6100's and my friend's band is buying four more of them. They're also keeping the 945 for the girl singer and I'm still planning on picking one up for myself.
Lined up some prime mics at a friends studio and we took turns singing through:
Sennheiser 935 & 945
Audio Technica AE-6100
Heil PR-35
Audix OM-7 and a few other mics.
The end result is that I'm keeping my AE-6100's and my friend's band is buying four more of them. They're also keeping the 945 for the girl singer and I'm still planning on picking one up for myself.
You need to also test them live too. A mic that sounds great in the studio can be a disaster when there's lots of racket surrounding the singer.
I'm always surprised to see this thread brought back up. Almost makes me feel like a big rube for sticking with the 58 
So akami, what is it about the 6100 that's getting it done for you?
So akami, what is it about the 6100 that's getting it done for you?
I'm the only singer when I'm on stage, for about the last 12 years now, generally 4-6 hours - so yeah, I've got lots and lots of hours in live 'testing'.
I never stick my nose up at friends who like the 58 because they're the ones who know what works for them, which is what really matters. If the 58 is the mic that works for you, I know I'd enjoy hearing the results too.I'm always surprised to see this thread brought back up. Almost makes me feel like a big rube for sticking with the 58
So akami, what is it about the 6100 that's getting it done for you?
The thing that I first liked about the AE-6100 when hearing it in the store was the crispness I missed from my ATM-5R condensers, which I might add, is one of the things that immediately made me like the PR-35 as well. I also love a mic with a tight operating range, which makes the AE-6100 good for me, but not so much so for someone who needs a larger area of pickup.
However, if crisp response was the only thing about them that I liked, then there would be a good number or other contenders, and that's where the all important midrange character of the AE-6100 keeps it's hold on my affections.
It's also quite a bit more forgiving of careless singing technique, while also delivering all the goods when I do my job right. While not as open and airy as the PR-35, it really is a better fit for my voice and I feel like I'm right back at home again after my enjoyable, but at times frustrating fling with the very sensitive PR-35.
As I've felt all along though, anyone singing with a very soft character and desiring a condenser-like studio quality out of a dynamic should definitely check out the PR-35.
Never tried the 6100. Sounds like another one I'd like. And the "forgiving" part is much more up my alley than the PR35. Move half an inch with the PR35 and it's gone.
By forgiving I was referring to the ability of the PR-35 to catch everything and it seems to require a bit of care to make sure you don't present any sounds to it that you don't want the audience to hear.
The AE-6100, while very accurate, seems to have less air around the voice, in addition to a better built in pop filter, but what you probably would not like is the tight pickup pattern with this one as well.
The AE-6100, while very accurate, seems to have less air around the voice, in addition to a better built in pop filter, but what you probably would not like is the tight pickup pattern with this one as well.
