Looking for sound advice on the Shure SM7b?
Probably want to get this mic and you been searching for reviews, then this article will provide a detailed review on the good, bad and the ugly about this product
The Shure SM7B is a fantastic and very rugged microphone that is ideal for recording vocals, instruments, metal vocals and an all round general microphone.
What’s in the box?
The Shure SM7B is a dynamic microphone that requires a preamp (usually the cloudlift) which brings the signal up by at least 20 to 25dB.
It is very rugged and has a smooth and flat frequency response which is awesome for that crisp and clean vocals.
It has switches at the back which will do a roll off with the high pass filter
It also has a presence booster which helps to boost the mids and give it that punch when needed
It has 2 windscreens which helps for close proximity and voice over work without any plosive and sibilance issues
It is built and has awesome shielding which helps to reject background noise
So if you find yourself needing to record around wires and different cables, then this mic is ideal cos it does not pick up any background noise.
Related: Here is the 5 Best Mics for Screaming Vocals
What’s so unique about The Design?
The SM7b is a large, heavy and very sturdy piece of kit.
Like most dynamic mics, the SM7 is an “end-address” mic, meaning you talk into the end of the cylinder.
This made it much easier for me to see my computer screen when speaking into the mic as it hung from my desk boom stand.
It’s pretty hard to see around my side, with its mandatory pop-filter.
Also, the SM7 is a cardioid mic, which means it’s a directional mic, picking up best what is directly in front of it, and rejecting sound from the rear
Main Features
- One of Shure’s best selling cardioid microphones
- Cardioid polar pattern to provide off-axis rejection
- Flat frequency response for accurate and clean signal reproduction
- Bass roll-off and mid-range emphasis (presence boost) controls
- Versatile usage – Perfect for vocals, instruments and amplifier mic setup
- Frequency range: 50Hz – 20kHz
- Internal ‘air suspension’ shock isolation to eliminate mechanical noise
- Built to last with rugged construction, a reason for its incredible reliability
- Effective pop filter & windscreen to reduce plosives
- Yoke mounting with captive stand nut for easy mounting/dismounting
- Used by famous artists – Michael Jackson (most of the Thriller album)
Performance:
As far as the microphone’s sound, it really does provide a clean overall sound.
It must be noted that the microphone has a pronounced proximity effect, meaning that the low frequencies are not picked up as readily as soon as you’ve positioned yourself either off-axis or more than 2-3 inches away, on-axis.
None-the-less, like any microphone, positioning is key!
And when you’re singing, speaking or using the microphone to mic up an instrument, when you hit that sweet spot, it really provides a lovely rich tone.
Ultimately, the core performance is what sets the SM7B apart from other dynamic microphones.
Out of the box, with no features engaged, it delivers a frequency response curve that is optimized for vocals – coping just as well with both spoken word and screeching metal vocals.
Whatever the application, you get a very organic sound and high levels of clarity with impressive noise rejection from areas to the side and the back of the microphone.
When you switch on the bass roll-off and presence boost, the sound suddenly becomes much clearer and even more defined.
Meanwhile, the huge max SPL is way more than you will ever need, making it the perfect tool for recording aggressive instruments and heavy drums in the studio.
With the plethora of noise-reducing features, the SM7B has also proven to be extremely effective at rejecting ambient noise, even in studios that lack sound insulation.
However, as with a lot of Dynamic Microphones, the Shure does require a lot of gain to get the signal to a near nominal level, which is why I recommend using a Fethead of CloudLifter to act as an inline microphone preamp.
I’m a large fan of this microphone, and hearing that the Thiller album was recorded with the SM7, was just the push I needed to get one.
Here is a link where you can get this microphone on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Question
Does Shure SM7B need phantom power?
No the shure SM7B does not need phantom power.
This is because the microphone is not affected if phantom power is present on the mixer output.
What type of microphone is the SM 7B?
The SM7B is a dynamic microphone that is awesome for recording metal vocals, for recording instruments and for close proximity work.
It is a Flat, wide-range frequency response for exceptionally clean and natural reproduction of both music and speech.
What kind of mic does Joe Rogan use?
Joe Rogan uses the Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone which is popular with top podcasters and professional broadcasters.
It was designed for speech but works equally well for music vocals.
The sound is natural and warm with flat, wide-range frequency response.
