Since 1971, Lectrosonics has built a reputation for for its wireless microphone systems and audio processing products. Heil Sound's rep goes back much farther as a premiere microphone manufacturer and innovator for stage and studio. Bob Heil turned rock on its ear with the Heil Talk Box, and was invited to create a display of historic gear for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Now these two companies are working together on innovations for wireless technology. Heil and Lectrosonics reached a strategic partnership agreement in late 2007; in 2008 the fruits of that agreement are hitting the market in the form of a new handheld wireless mic which Lectrosonics Director of Business Development, Karl Winkler says is "destined to re-define the landscape for high quality, professional wireless microphone systems."

Winkler told Gearwire one of the immediate benefits Lectrosonics gets from the partnership is the addition of what Winkler calls a "performance-worthy" dynamic vocal mic capsule to the Lectrosonics catalog.

"Heil has been making some innovative dynamic microphone capsules for some time, and we can see that the pro touring market is really responding to their products. At the same time, we've been really seeing a lot of interest in our Digital Hybrid Wireless products, including our handheld transmitter with condenser element. However, up to now, we really did not have a touring -- and performance-worthy dynamic vocal microphone capsule."

Bob Heil is quick to point out that his company's catalog also needed something. “We have recognized for some time that we needed a wireless microphone offering, but we were more interested in partnering with an established player as opposed to re-inventing the wheel," Heil said in a recent press release from Lectrosonics, "This past summer, Karl (Winkler) and I were working together on a project for American Idol, and the opportunity for collaboration presented itself."

That opportunity resulted in a merge of the Lectrosonics Digital Hybrid wireless system with Heil's PR-20 dynamic mic capsule to create a new wireless mic standard. "I believe this new wireless microphone will address many wireless issues people routinely encounter," Heil said, "and it will provide world-class sound quality in the process.”

The new product is called the Lectrosonics UTPR20. According to Winkler, "We're starting with his PR20 element because it sounds great and is the right size for this application. A fair amount of development has gone into this transmitter in terms of mechanical mounting so that the capsule can perform at its best. The immediate result should be that those performers who like the Heil capsule can now have it in a wireless format . . ."

Many companies in the music industry are forging these types of relationships to broaden their reach, improve products or create hybrids using the best technology from from partner to partner to raise the standards for gear in general. Gearwire asked Winkler what Lectrosonics and Heil had specifically in mind when they decided to join forces.

"In our case, it would take a herculean effort and considerable investment to develop a viable dynamic microphone capsule. And since there are already several very mature, established players in the industry, we would have an uphill battle to get such a new, unknown capsule accepted. At the same time, Heil faced a similar problem but from the wireless side. But together, we put a known name capsule with a high performance wireless and we have a real shot at getting rapid acceptance."

Winkler is keen on the idea that both companies in a partnership should bring advantages to the table, but also that both companies get a good return on the combination of tech and development. ". . . The bottom line is this: Lectrosonics can now go where Heil is, and Heil can now go wireless. Should be win- win-win with both companies and the customers all getting something valuable out of it."

In the end, the customer is the one who reaps the benefits; there is certainly no shortage of Heil loyalists and those who are sold on Lectrosonics products. As Karl Winkler points out, followers of both brands now have some options to consider when it's time to create a budget for new gear.