Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone for Broadcast, Podcast & Recording, XLR Studio Mic for Music & Speech, Wide-Range Frequency, Warm & Smooth Sound, Rugged Construction, Detachable Windscreen - Black

I'm a musician/singer/songwriter who produces/engineers my own music and has three albums out, but because I'm self-funded, every piece of gear I buy is a valuable investment. After conducting extensive research, I purchased the SM7B and conducted numerous audio tests in my studio, as well as some preliminary recordings for a forthcoming new album. (I've included this dull self-promotional piece. ) description so that you can understand why I'm writing this review). br>br>I believe that many (if not all) people purchase this microphone without fully comprehending what they are purchasing. The Shure name, as well as the publicity surrounding Michael Jackson's recording with it, tends to cloud the judging process, so many people make a hasty purchase decision. However, a more in-depth examination reveals additional characteristics, and with a better understanding, you can likely disregard the hype and appreciate theSM7B for what it is: a great dynamic microphone with an SM58-style capsule as a character who contributes to a strong studio- If you have a high-resolution camera, you can make recordings. high-quality products To go with it, you'll need a gain preamp. Because a dynamic microphone lacks its own preamp, it is less sensitive than a condenser mic. As a result, it's not ideal for recording delicate singing voices because it's simply not sensitive enough. The capsule, on the other hand, is robust enough to take in all that high energy and will easily handle loud, screaming vocals. This is simply microphone physics and science: Dynamic microphones are better for loud sounds, while condensers are better for delicate sounds. br>br>However, the SM7B is not like the Shure SM58 dynamic mic; its capsule elements are thinner and much more sensitive, so its sensitivity leans toward condensers; however, because it is a dynamic mic, this sensitivity comes at the cost of only being able to produce a weak signal, so it requires a preamp with plenty of clean gain before the signal can be used. If you think about it, it's trying to be a condenser mic, but unlike a condenser mic, which has a built-in preamp, the SM7B requires an external preamp! In- It's in the middle of nowhere. br>br>However, the story becomes more intriguing. The SM7B is endowed with "personality. " The sound pattern is modeled after that of the legendary SM58. If you know how to use it correctly, the SM7B can give your recorded voice the classic Shure SM58 "live" character (though keep in mind that it'll never be as delicate as a condenser mic; still, if you know what you're doing, you might find it a worthwhile trade-off). off to gain a lot of character at the expense of some delicate- ness. You're back in the game with some post-recording engineering and compression. )br>br>Another common misunderstanding is that There's a sense of being there- a boost switch Nope. The presence is removed by the switch, leaving you with a flat-screen display. The response curve, also known as the response curve, is a graph that shows how much The presence is already boosted in its natural state, the switch is deceiving, and the flat-screen is misleading. The altered state is the result of the response. br>br>Another common misunderstanding is that The pop- You can get a natural sound by using the filters (windscreens) provided. They don't, to be honest. They sift out the high-octane stuff. You'll hear a flatter sound as a result of the lower frequencies. This is great for podcasting because you can talk close to the mic without getting pops (use the thinner or thicker filter depending on how strong your POP-filter is). ing is getting), but for singing, you should remove the windscreens, expose the metal grill, and use an external POP filter. br>br>The magic comes with a proper external POP filter for recording a singer, so there's no need for a super-expensive super-expensive super-expensive super-expensive super-expensive super-expensive super-expensive super-expensive super-expens one that is pricey, but has at least a double-double-double-double-double double-double-double-double-double- grille, as well as a diameter of at least 6 inches. A POP filter like this is available from Shure, and it's more than adequate for the job. Once you've got a good external pop filter in place, you can put it right up against the metal grille front and use your SM7B switches without bass. shaved and with a presence- boost on (as I previously stated, this is a no-presence-situation) Instead of a true boost, a cut position is used). and you can record your singing in all of its glory; your voice is captured as if you were winging it with a Shure SM58 on steroids, i. e. The mic's "personality" is present. There's no need to turn off this presence; you can do so at any time during the mixing process. As a result, you get a high sensitivity recording with a low noise floor (a dynamic mic's advantage). br>br>With this mic, there isn't much of a proximity effect because the metal grille extends far beyond the capsule element, preventing your mouth from getting too close to the capsule. (Kudos to Shure engineers for coming up with this blunder. ) proofreading and editing). Consider the possibility of a super-powered You're in 'POP hell' if you use a sensitive SM58 with a Blues singer planting his lips on the grille and record his voice in a studio. Now you see how well-engineered the system is: )br>br>Please accept my apologies for the lengthy review; however, I believe I have provided an accurate description of the important details. This mic may be overkill for PODcast users, but hey, if you have the cash, flaunt it. You could get the same audio with a cheap condenser with a large windshield and some EQ work with a cheap condenser with a large windshield and some EQ work with a cheap condenser with a large windshield and some EQ work with a cheap condenser with a large windshield and some EQ work with a The SM7B is most likely to shine when recording vocalists with a more dynamic vocal range, particularly louder vocalists, or when recording alongside other instruments being played simultaneously, where bleed from other sounds is significantly reduced with such a cardiod-based microphone. dynamic mic pattern br>br>I'm very pleased with this microphone and have used it for numerous audio tests. I'll use it for rockier vocals and a condenser mic for delicate ballads. I hope this review aids you in determining what is best for you and making the most of your hard-earned money. Cheers.

Anya BURROWS

| Nov 01, 2021

This isn't a BAD microphone, just to be clear. It isn't a particularly good microphone, either. It's. Most voices will sound articulated, clear, thin, slightly nasal, and utterly bland through the SM7B. Also, keep in mind that this is not a plug-in microphone. mic with and-play On the other hand, the build quality is excellent, and the included mount is solid, so you'll need to spend a significant amount of time in post-production shaving off the noise floor and extracting character from the voice for podcasts or voiceover. Now is the time. br>br> in relation to the noise floor If you've done your homework, you'll already be aware that this is a low-risk situation. You won't realize how weak a signal can be until you plug an SM7B into your favorite high-end audio interface. a good preamp I'm using one of the best prosumer interfaces on the market to control the SM7B. Mix Pre 6- by Sound Devices in a sound-proof environment home studio that has been treated The SM7B provides a perfectly serviceable signal after being boosted by 65db of ultraclean gain. Every microphone generates an innate noise floor due to the electronics, but a good mic (even dynamic mics like the SM58 or Samson Q2U) will typically drown out the noise floor with the actual signal. The SM7B, however, isn't one of them. You'll need to use an expander or a de-expander. To get a professional-looking final product, use a noise plugin (please don't use a harsh noise gate). a podcast or voiceover that sounds good br>br>On the plus side, this microphone is extremely attractive. Which is a pity, because, let's face it, that cool, all-encompassing, all-encompassing, all-encompassing all-encompassing all-encompassing all-encompassing all-encompassing all-encompassing The Darth Vader aesthetic accounts for 80% of this mic s appeal in black. Joe Rogan is the other 20 person. I can't tell you how many aspiring podcasters are eager to spend $400 on this microphone without first researching their options. This is the ultimate "people will have to take me seriously if I buy it" microphone. At least half of new podcasters who buy an SM7B do so for the bragging rights and to feel validated as professionals, rather than because they've tried all of the options and found the best product for their voice. Then they plug it into a Focusrite Scarlet, slap on a bunch of compression, and feel like pros. br>br>I'm not implying that this isn't the best microphone for you. I'm implying that this isn't the best microphone for you. If you have a great preamp, a strong voice, and you've tried competitors like the EV-100, this is the one for you. RE20 as well as the Heil PR- If you're 40, you might be able to justify spending $400. Just keep in mind that in order to look cool, you've probably sacrificed tone. Advantages: br>br> br>Looks fantasticbr>Excellent build qualitybr>Looks fantasticbr>Decent, unobtrusive soundbr>Did I say it looks fantastic? br>br>Contrary to popular belief, there are a number of disadvantages to using this product. br>Expensivebr>Audio that isn't particularly good. Unless you're practically eating the mic to achieve some proximity effect, in which case you'll struggle with sibilance and plosives), the tone is thin and lacks warmth. br>Incredibly weak signal which results in a. br>High noise floorbr>br>Unless you're a seasoned podcast or voiceover pro who can list five good reasons to buy the SM7B (none of which include "the look"), don't buy this microphone. If you have a Scarlet interface, this microphone isn't for you. Most podcasters will benefit from an Audio Technica AT2100 or other entry-level microphone. dynamic level (or ) If you have a solo podcast and a quiet environment, this is the option for you. even a condenser microphone for the midrange). You'll also save hundreds of dollars.

Juan Brock

| Aug 05, 2021