Shure SM7B

Ultimate Guide: Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

Sarah Fowlds
Awall Digital
Published in
5 min readApr 26, 2023

--

The Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone is a versatile and high-quality microphone that has gained a reputation as the go-to microphone for podcasters, broadcasters, and musicians. The SM7B is a dynamic microphone that features a cardioid polar pattern, making it ideal for capturing clear and focused sound from a single source. In this review, we will take a closer look at the features and benefits of the Shure SM7B, and see how it stacks up against other microphones in its class.

Original Article: Awall.shop

Features

The Shure SM7B is loaded with features that make it a top choice for a wide range of applications. Here are some of its key features:

  • Dynamic Microphone: The SM7B is a dynamic microphone, which means that it captures sound by converting sound waves into electrical signals through the use of a magnet and a coil. This type of microphone is ideal for capturing clear and accurate sound from a single source, making it perfect for podcasting, broadcasting, and vocal recording.
  • Cardioid Polar Pattern: The SM7B features a cardioid polar pattern, which means that it is most sensitive to sound that is coming directly in front of the microphone. This helps to eliminate background noise and unwanted sounds, ensuring that the recorded sound is clear and focused.
  • Switchable Bass Roll-Off and Mid-Range Boost: The SM7B features a switchable bass roll-off and mid-range boost, allowing the user to tailor the microphone’s sound to their specific needs. The bass roll-off reduces low-end rumble and noise, while the mid-range boost enhances vocal presence and clarity.
  • Internal Shock Mount: The SM7B features an internal shock mount that helps to reduce mechanical noise and vibration, ensuring that the recorded sound is free from unwanted noise and distortion.
  • Pop Filter: The SM7B comes with a detachable pop filter that helps to reduce plosives and sibilance, ensuring that the recorded sound is clear and natural.

Design

The Shure SM7B has a sleek, professional, durable, and attractive design. The microphone is constructed from high-quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors of regular use. The internal shock mount helps to protect the microphone from mechanical noise and vibration, ensuring that the recorded sound is free from unwanted noise and distortion. The detachable pop filter is easy to install and remove and helps to reduce plosives and sibilance, ensuring that the recorded sound is clear and natural. The microphone is also highly portable, making it easy to take on the road or to different recording locations.

Performance

The Shure SM7B is known for its exceptional performance, making it a popular choice among podcasters, broadcasters, and musicians. The SM7B captures sound with exceptional clarity and accuracy, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. The cardioid polar pattern helps to eliminate unwanted background noise, ensuring that the recorded sound is clear and focused. The switchable bass roll-off and mid-range boost allow the user to tailor the sound of the microphone to their specific needs, whether they are recording vocals, instruments, or speech. The internal shock mount helps to reduce mechanical noise and vibration, ensuring that the recorded sound is free from unwanted noise and distortion.

Accessories

The Shure SM7B comes with a variety of accessories to ensure you have everything you need to get started with recording right away. The following items are included in the package:

  1. Shure SM7B Microphone
  2. Foam Windscreen: It helps reduce the sound of wind or breathing sounds during recording.
  3. Switch Cover Plate: The switch cover plate is used to protect the microphone from accidental switching.
  4. Locking Yoke Mount: The locking yoke mount allows for easy and secure attachment of the microphone to a boom arm or stand.
  5. Hex Key: The hex key is used to adjust the yoke mount.
  6. User Guide: The user guide provides detailed information on the microphone and its use.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  1. Versatile: The SM7B is an incredibly versatile microphone that is suitable for a wide range of applications, from podcasting and voiceovers to music recording and live streaming.
  2. High-Quality Sound: The SM7B is renowned for its high-quality sound, delivering rich, warm tones with exceptional clarity and detail.
  3. Directional Sensitivity: The cardioid polar pattern of the SM7B makes it ideal for capturing sound from a single source while rejecting noise and interference from other directions.
  4. Low Noise: The SM7B has an extremely low noise floor, which makes it perfect for recording in a variety of different environments.
  5. Durable: The SM7B is built to last, with a rugged construction that can withstand the rigors of regular use.

Cons:

  1. Price: The Shure SM7B is one of the more expensive dynamic microphones on the market, which may be a barrier for some buyers.
  2. Requires High Gain: The SM7B requires a lot of gain to produce its best sound, which means that you may need to invest in a high-quality preamp or audio interface to get the most out of it.
  3. Heavy: The SM7B is a heavy microphone, which may require a sturdy mic stand or boom arm to support it properly.
  4. Low Output: The SM7B has a relatively low output compared to other dynamic microphones, which means that you may need to turn up your gain even more to achieve a good level of volume.

Final Words

In conclusion, the Shure SM7B is a high-quality and versatile microphone suitable for various recording applications. Its rugged construction, superior sound quality, and flexibility make it a favorite among podcasters, musicians, and voiceover artists. The microphone’s advanced features and adjustable controls enable it to perform well in a variety of different environments, while its stylish and durable design ensures that it will provide many years of reliable service.

While the Shure SM7B is a high-end microphone that may be outside the budget of some users, it is well worth the investment for those who require top-notch audio quality and professional-level features. Its advanced technology and adjustable settings allow it to adapt to a variety of recording situations, and its sleek, durable design ensures that it will stand up to the rigors of frequent use. For those in the market for a high-quality dynamic microphone, the Shure SM7B is an excellent choice that is sure to provide many years of dependable service.

--

--