The unbelievable of us at Shure are again with one other killer microphone, sliding a small “d” within the Shure SM7B — sure, it’s referred to as the Shure SM7dB. And you realize what? It’s greater than earned its cute little identify change.
The Shure SM7dB is similar extremely highly effective and exact cardioid XLR microphone packed in a svelte design, besides now it has a built-in preamp for that additional on-the-fly oomph. Sadly, that huge price ticket solely rose one other $100, coming to a whopping $500. And no, it nonetheless doesn’t include a mixer, a cable, and even the Shure MVX2U Digital Audio interface, which helps you to join your microphone to your PC through USB Kind-C.
Regardless of its value and Shure’s rudimentary software program, the Shure SM7dB simply climbs the charts of our finest streaming microphones web page.
Shure SM7dB value and configurations
The Shure SM7dB is $500, and like its youthful sibling, there’s quite a few bundles Shure presents that may get your recording setup going. The unique packaging comes with the usual RK345 windscreen, a thicker A7WS windscreen, and a 3/8” Thread Adapter.
For $600, you possibly can decide up the Shure SM7dB with a increase arm and a 15-foot XLR cable. Which will appear costly for an arm and a cable to the untrained eye, however getting a cable or an arm individually might run you greater than that, relying on the model. And sure, the kind of cable you get issues. Nonetheless, we haven’t examined the cable that Shure supplies, so we can’t communicate to that.
For $680, you may get the Shure SM7dB bundle that comes with the aforementioned merchandise in addition to Shure SRH440A headphones, that are $99 studio headphones.
If all you want is a comparatively cheap gadget to attach your microphone to your PC, you may get the Shure SM7dB and Shure MVX2U bundle. It prices $620 complete. The Shure MVX2U is a small adapter that connects to the feminine XLR port on the microphone after which feeds you a feminine USB Kind-C port, so you possibly can join it to your PC (doing it this manner comes with points, which I’ll describe later).
Shure SM7dB design
Nothing has modified with the Shure’s design, besides that the Shure SM7dB is just not as dusty as its sibling, which I’ve been utilizing as a foremost driver for some time now. It rocks that very same iconic svelte black chassis. The bottom is an easy black cylinder that feeds right into a metallic band with the branding in addition to two screws for the mount and XLR enter.
Past that, there’s the already connected windscreen. Final time, I virtually ripped this factor aside attempting to take away it as a result of the directions have been unclear. It’s truly worse now as a result of there are not any directions in any way. So do your self a favor and simply look it up earlier than you break one thing. There you’ll discover that the inside encompasses a strong steel cage.
Since there are not any directions included, the bigger windscreen set up is much more complicated. You need to manually connect velcro straps to the bottom of the mic to put in it. Why is that this nonetheless so difficult?
On the bottom of the Shure SM7dB are the handbook switches for the EQ, the Bypass and Preamp settings. Out of the field, it’s set to the Flat Response setting, however you possibly can alter it for Bass Rolloff or Presence Enhance. The Bypass setting turns off the preamp, whereas flipping it to Preamp permits it. And the settings on the suitable function a rise of both +18dB or +28dB. In the meantime, there’s an attachment on the high could be adjusted for five/8 or ⅜-inch threaded increase arms.
Shure SM7dB audio high quality
The Shure SM7dB is a cardioid XLR microphone, which implies it has a heart-shaped polar sample (it’ll decide up sound solely inside that form, with the underside of the guts going through you). Usually, you possibly can’t simply join the Shure SM7dB on to your laptop computer (the microphone takes solely XLR enter). Nonetheless, we’re testing the Shure SM7dB with the Shure MVX2U, which is a male XLR to feminine USB-Kind-C adapter.
I chatted with my spouse and she or he complimented how crisp my voice sounded. The microphone might decide up my whispers with out getting slowed down by background noise. I examined this each on the Shure MVX2U in addition to my Razer Audio Mixer. I seen that the previous picked up extra background than the latter, and that’s due to the restricted software program settings I’ll speak about later.
Regardless of that, all I wanted to get this microphone going was a acquire adjustment. If you happen to’re not working with a mixer, you then’ll be utilizing the microphone’s preamp. If you happen to’re attempting to resolve between +18dB or +28dB, it actually depends upon what base dB your software program is beginning at. If it’s 0, then +28dB will likely be essential to make it audible. However in case you’re beginning at 30dB, drop right down to +18dB so that you’re not too loud.
Making an attempt to sing into the microphone produced a whining sound — that was simply me, I used to be the whining sound. However my voice was easy and crisp no matter how unhealthy I would’ve sounded. The Shure excels at selecting up audio clearly, eradicating the standard peaks or plosives which may happen. After all, relying in your speech sample, you might need to tinker with settings to get essentially the most of your sound.
Shure SM7dB software program
I used to be excited to not cope with a cumbersome mixer on my desk, however the Shure MVX2U, whereas extremely handy, is paired with rudimentary software program.
The ShurePlus Motiv software program options two tabs — Auto Stage and Guide. The previous presents easy settings, like mic place (close to or far), tone (darkish, pure, or shiny), and acquire (quieter, regular, and louder). Guide presents extra detailed settings for mic acquire (0 to 60 dB) in addition to settings for the Excessive Move Filter (Off, 75Hz, or 150Hz), Limiter (On or Off), and Compressor (Off, Gentle, Medium, or Heavy). The Guide tab additionally encompasses a full Equalizer.
The software program is best than nothing, I suppose, nevertheless it’s not very spectacular. I’m additionally nervous about extended use. Shure’s web site gave the app a 2 out of 5-star rankingbacked by 78 evaluations. Shure even posted a discover above the evaluations that reads: “We’re conscious and dealing on resolving a difficulty the place the app stalls at launch/loading for some customers. We’ll put up right here with extra data as soon as we’ve got an replace.”
As I discussed earlier, you’re caught with this software program provided that you go together with the Shure MVX2U. If you happen to get a correct mixer, you’ll be capable of alter extra settings, a few of which don’t even must undergo software program.
Backside line
It’s arduous to not love the Shure SM7dB — it provides me stellar sound, so whether or not I’m talking in a whisper or shouting on the high of my lungs, the audio gained’t peak or disappear into the ether.
Sure, it is vitally costly. I can’t consider I’ve to say this, however don’t purchase a $500 microphone in case you’re not an expert. Don’t blow your money on this in case you’re not making a living as a musician, podcaster, or voice-over artist. If you’d like a top quality mic to dabble with, I counsel getting the less expensive Blue Yeti X (and also you don’t want a mixer for that).
However when you have the cash to spend and are severe about pursuing a profession tied to your voice, or are already within the thick of it, I can’t advocate something higher at this value level than the Shure SM7dB.
