If you've been watching my live streams or video recordings lately, you may have noticed a change in microphones.
I retired the ATR2100-USB and replaced it with a Heil FIN for a few reasons:
Reasons 1: Testing a microphone interface
I needed to test out the Scarlett 2i2 interface sent to me by *Focusrite.
*Focusrite was a sponsor of the very first Podcast Editors Conference held in Orlando on March 6th, 2020.
The ATR2100 can also be used as an XLR microphone, but I wanted to play around with a different mic.
Reasons 2: I took advantage of a deal
Back in 2018, I scheduled the STL Podcasters Meetup group to meet at Heil HQ, which resides just a few miles on the Illinois side of the Gateway Arch.
Michelle Levitt, Marketing and Creative Director at Heil Sound, set up a bunch of mics for us to try. Of course, I wanted a Heil PR-40.
Here's a picture of me in front of a wall of the gold model.
However, I wasn't ready to spend a few hundred dollars on an emotional purchase.
What I settled on turned out to be just as fantastic!
For about the price of a new ATR2100x, I purchased the Heil FIN from their B-stock.
Items classified as “B-Stock” are items they can't sell to retail because of one reason or another.
As you can see, this one was brand-new in box and didn't have a scratch on it. I took a chance, and it was totally worth it.
Reasons 3: It's SEXY
C'mon. You can't blame me. This mic is SEXY!
It looks like an old radio-type mic AND IT GLOWS BLUE!
For those who are into sound quality, you can download the specs here and tell me why I made such a huge mistake.
However, there was no question that the sound quality was great.
I had played with four of them when I arranged to have the Podcast Bug record live podcasts at FinCon17.
The right mic for YOUR needs
I didn't buy the Heil FIN because of sound quality.
After all, I'm not recording podcasts anymore. I only need a microphone for client meetings, live streams, masterminds and webinars.
But who are we kidding here? It sounds great too. It's a HEIL!
PLEASE do not purchase a mic because somebody said so. Buy a mic that fits your needs.
However, if you are looking for a mic that sounds good and LOOKS SEXY when the phantom power is on, then you now know about the Heil FIN.
Tell Michelle I sent ya 😉 https://heilsound.com/products/the-fin