| Heil PR-48 Kick Drum Mic Details
The Heil HDK drum kit series is a culmination of over 2 years spent on the road with leading drummers. They gave Bob Heil their ideas, their dreams and their needs which Heil Sound 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 PR 48 kick drum microphone starts with Heil's 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. The PR-48 then stays out to 7.5 kHz and drops off drastically to eliminate any unwanted internal sounds. The total frequency response is 30Hz - 8.5kHz (4dB rise @ 4500Hz). Its rear rejection is -40dB @ 180° off axis. It can handle +148dB SPL.
The PR 48 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.
Heil PR-48 Kick Drum Mic Specifications
- Output: 3-Pin XLR
- Rejection: -40dB @ 180 degrees off-axis / +148dB SPL
- Frequency Response: 30Hz-8.5kHz (4dB rise @ 4500Hz)
- Generating Element: 1 1/2" large diaphragm, dynamic, cardioid
- Additional: Utilizes a low-pass filter with a 3dB hinge point at 30Hz and 8.5kHz
- Mounting: Standard 5/8-27 thread
- Uses: Kick Drum, Bass Cabinet
What We Think
"The Heil PR-48 Kick Drum Mic features a PR-30 capsule and a special set of filters which creates a steep-sloping top end. I've come to appreciate that the PR-48 shows off a couple different sides, depending on where it is used. When used in the studio, you'll notice that it basically has a nice 'full kick' sound. It's not scooped or hollow. The better the preamp you use, you'll beging to notice more and more nuggets of sonic-gold in the sound. When used in the live arena, the Heil PR-48 on a kick drum is flat out THUNDEROUS. All the presence in the mid-range that Heil mics have become famous for on kick drums is still here in the PR-48. So, not only does it 'pop' in the mix like you need it to in the mids, but it feels like a cannon is going off in the room every time the kick drum is hit. Seriously, it's like a concussion-blast. The PR-48 is not a 'toppy' mic by any stretch, but I find that it doesn't need it. When you approach the kick sound without heavy-handing it, you'll begin to notice that the kick drum sits very naturally in the mix without the need for a bunch of EQ or compression. It just seems to do everything you've ever known a good kick drum mic to do... only better. Once you use one, it becomes quite clear that Heil's first dedicated offering for kick drum mic'ing already has a commanding seat at the big-boy's table".
Alan Moon - Front End Audio
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