The Shure SM7B microphone holds a unique position in the world of music technology as a product with few real competitors and a reputation for being the best in its field. Of course, spending ridiculous amounts of money would yield only marginally better results, but this is one of those products that aims directly for the ideal balance between price and performance and succeeds. Totally. also you will check our article on Shure SM7B review. The SM7B is a professional-grade dynamic microphone that was created primarily with the goal of recording speech and vocal performances. This might include voice-overs, broadcasts, streaming, or podcasts. Even a cursory look at YouTube will reveal that many renowned content creators use it as their preferred microphone. Its popularity is a direct result of how easy it is to use; all you need is an XLR connection.
Shure SM7B review: Design
The modest yet iconic Shure SM7B has a sleek black chassis. These are probably the microphones that your favorite YouTubers, podcasters, and streamers are using. Simple black cylinder serves as the base, and it feeds into a metallic band that has branding and two screws for the mount and XLR input. The windscreen is already fastened after that. The directions were so poorly written that when we tried to take it off to peek inside, we nearly ruined it. It merely displays a picture of someone accomplishing it. But after doing some research, we learned that you need to pull a thin plastic piece in order to remove it. There is a sturdy metal cage inside. Since there isn’t a plastic piece, the directions for the larger windscreen were also unclear. Instead, installing the mic requires manually fastening velcro straps to its base. Why does it need to be so difficult? The manual EQ switch controls are located on the back of the Shure SM7B. Although it is initially set to Flat Response, you can change it to Bass Rolloff or Presence Boost. The top attachment can be changed to fit boom arms with a 5/8- or 3/8-inch thread.
Shure SM7B review: Features
The Shure SM7B is all about precision and reliability, and it excels at both. With a slight scoop in the low-mids and gentle shaping on the top end, this mic’s frequency response covers the entire audible spectrum from 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz, making it a good all-around option for most musical and vocal sources. It is the perfect choice for positioning in front of the loudest guitar amps and on the drum kits of hard-hitting drummers because it can withstand a maximum sound pressure level over a scorching 180 decibels. The Shure SM7B’s two EQ settings on the back, which enable further modifying of the microphone’s sound, are one of the factors making it one of the greatest voice microphones. Both the low-cut and mid-boost switches can remove rumble and boominess from more resonant vocal sources. The low-cut switch creates a roll-off starting at 400 Hz, and the mid-boost switch offers a lifted response from 900 Hz to 11,000 Hz. With these shaping choices, you can experiment with various sources with greater freedom. However, use with caution as they permanently change the source’s original raw recorded sound. Another essential component of the consistency and adaptability of the Shure SM7B is its two different types of sturdy integrated windscreens. Their thick foam prevents plosives and other user-created air bursts from entering the capsule, which would otherwise destroy a decent vocal recording (or podcast discussion, etc.). They are also detachable, which is a great option when recording instruments like the guitar and drums because it allows for a direct connection between the source and the capsule without worrying about air.
Shure SM7B review: Setup
The Shure SM7B connects to audio equipment using any XLR cable that is accepted in the industry. If you’re using this mic with underpowered preamps and find that the signal is too quiet or noisy, a phantom-powered gain booster like the Cloudlifter CL-1 is the ideal match for getting the best sound out of the SM7B. This microphone needs more clean gain than many others to deliver a usable audio signal. This microphone is solely intended for use on a microphone stand, as was already specified. Even if one tried to use the SM7B handheld, the integrated XLR output’s placement causes the cable to move a lot while being used handheld, which can cause a lot of popping and electrical noise. Due to the XLR output and the captured threaded nut’s integrated design, this microphone’s overall setup time is incredibly quick. It takes less time than it does to load recording software and boot up a computer.
Audio quality
The bass end of the Shure SM7B is extremely rich, yet entirely neutral and natural sounding. It is akin to a high-quality bass microphone in this regard. The bass is pure, deep, and balanced; you won’t detect any distortion or boominess typical of consumer-grade microphones. And this is one of the things that makes folks swoon over this microphone. You no longer have to try to strike a balance between sounding boomy and thin by completely eliminating that frequently distorted low end. Even if you don’t have a low voice, you’ll probably notice the advantages, but if you do, you’ll never want to speak in any other way! It maintains the quality of its entire frequency range while doing so. Although the top end is a diamond, the midrange is equally neutral and has little to no color. The frequency diagram shows a clear dip, but the highs are very smooth and quite transparent. It is related to the dynamic capsule of the microphone, but it is also related to the quality of the microphone. Since even the most expensive condensers occasionally exhibit some degree of edge, graininess, or harshness, the SM7B sounds better to our ears than any flatter condenser because it is entirely smooth. Of course, it has drawbacks because it is dynamic. It lacks the extended response up to 20 kHz and isn’t quite as sharp as condensers, but those aren’t actually drawbacks; rather, they are characteristics of all dynamics. Nevertheless, any voice applications should be more than covered by its generally flat response, all the way up to 12 kHz. Instead of how high it can go, it has more to do with the high end’s quality. Although the transient response is obviously inferior to that of condensers and won’t be able to capture as much detail, it is still quite good for a dynamic. Condensers, on the other hand, are frequently overheated and practically record everything when used for purposes other than studio recording. For radio stations in particular, this is important because you don’t want to capture every fart your guests make. Not to mention the ambient noise, air conditioning, and potential room reflections, all of which are present outside the studio walls and cannot be avoided. However, this is not the only factor in the success of the Shure SM7B. This mic is also much simpler to use than studio-quality condensers. As a result, there are more opportunities for a consistent production and fewer opportunities for you or your guest to make a mistake.
Software
Unfortunately, there is no software specifically designed for the Shure SM7B. This is mostly due to the fact that, as it is an XLR microphone, you will be using a mixer. Because the microphone does pick up some low static that can be heard in some of our Audacity recordings, the first thing we advise doing is turning on a noise gate at about -54dB. also you will learn our article on Shure SM7B review.
Price and configurations
The Shure SM7B costs $400 on its alone, but depending on your accessory requirements, there are a number of bundles that might raise the price. The normal RK345 windscreen, the thicker A7WS windscreen, and the RPM602 switch cover plate are all included in the original box. you can read our article on Shure SM7B review. The Shure SM7B costs $400 on its alone, but depending on your accessory requirements, there are a number of bundles that might raise the price. The normal RK345 windscreen, the thicker A7WS windscreen, and the RPM602 switch cover plate are all included in the original box. The Shure SM7B bundle, which costs $602, includes the aforementioned items as well as Shure SRH440A studio headphones, which cost $99 each.
Conclusion
The Shure SM7B is a good option whether you’re new to podcasting or an experienced user. It is consistent, adaptable, and strong. It has gained a solid reputation for excellence and dependability. There is a sizable community of audio enthusiasts, and most of them have used this mic before. Most significantly, the SM7B is reasonably priced. Most serious podcasters typically have budgets that can accommodate it. Shure’s entire line of dynamic microphones can be found in music studios, sound stages, and live music venues all over the world, from the storied broadcast boom mics (SM5) to the original podcasting microphones.
