This mic will give you studio-level quality in the comfort of your own home. For podcasters, video creators and streamers alike, this is the best choice for top-notch audio quality.
BEST PODCAST & VIDEO RECORDING MIC IN 2023
Shure SM7B
✅ Industry Standard audio quality
✅ xlr-based compatibility
✅ 2 lbs sturdy and rugged
The Shure SM7B Microphone is a microphone I have seen plenty of times in professional recording studios while also being utilised at home for garage recording setups. Personally I have been using this microphone for all videos I create. So here is my Shure SM7B review.
Shure SM7B Review For Podcasters, YouTubers, Streamers
Why The Shure SM7B Microphone is Industry Standard
The Shure SM7B is an excellent microphone for a variety of recording uses. I’ll be straight up with you, this is not a mic for the budget minded.
It has been around for multiple decades now and the sturdy build and internal quality tell the tale of an amazing microphone. The technology is way ahead of its time and is relevant today.
Even Michael Jackson used the SM7B.
What You Get in the Package
This Shure SM7B Cardioid Microphone comes with a yoke style mount with standard screw attaching, an XLR connector, and a detachable close talk windscreen which does a very good job of reducing popping vocal sounds. A slightly thicker windscreen for outdoor wind noise or louder ambient indoor noises is also included.
To completely eliminate those noises, however, you’ll want a thicker filter or some type of electronic enhancement in your system. The box it comes in is useful to keep for storage, or you can store your mic in a foam lined hard plastic case. That’s separate, too.
Besides the microphone, you will need an audio interface, a recorder of some sort, high quality XLR cables and interface connectors, and a way to enhance the ambient sound quality of the recording room. You can also opt for a shock mount if you rattle the mic around a lot.
For those that are willing to take that jump, this Shure SM7B will deliver professional grade audio that will melt like butter in your listeners ears.
Who uses the Shure SM7B?
The short is answer is – just about everyone. Your favourite YouTube creators like Cody Ko, Noel Miller, Jarvis Johnson, Nickisnotgreen all use the mic. Popular podcasters like Joe Rogan, H3 Podcast, Marc Maron, Theo Von, and countless others use the Shure SM7B. Streamers like xQc, Hasan Piker (Hasanabi), Mizkif all use the Shure SM7B to capture quality audio when engaging with their audience.
Shure SM7B Setup for Streaming, Podcasts & Videos
You will need your microphone, an audio interface (such as the Focusrite Scarlett or M-Audio Air), and a mic stand for your Shure SM7B. Along with audio recording software or XLR-enabled in-camera recording,
This 2 pound mic is not meant to be hand held but is often used as such. You should to mount it to a stand, a boom or a swivel. It also does not have Phantom Power, so you need a good audio interface or some sort of microphone activator.
What Mic Stand is best for the Shure SM7B?
For the home based Podcaster, YouTuber, or streamer, you will likely be at a desk with some other equipment you are using, so a desk mounted swivel boom arm mount like the Rode PSA1 would be ideal.
This boom arm mounts to a desk either via a clamp or an internal insert. It has a vertical and a horizontal reach of about 32 inches each and swivels through a whole 360 degrees. It is very well made and hardly makes any noise if you happen to need to move or adjust it during recording. This boom arm is a perfect stand for your mic.
I would suggest setting it before recording and then leave it alone while recording. Little touches of the mic make it noticeable with a low frequency buzz. A shock mount for the SM7B is also available at extra cost.
What’s the best Mixer/Audio Interface for the Shure SM7B?
For podcasts especially, having a reliable pre amp or mixer with gain adjustments and levels adjustments will be necessary.
You can use the Focusrite Scarlett or M-Audio Air, but these will likely not give you enough gain to power the mic to it’s fullest capacity.
If your pre amp doesn’t have enough gain to take full advantage of the Shure SM7B or another high end passive mic, a mic activator is a virtual necessity. The price of the microphone is only part of the expense!
An inline piece of equipment like the Cloudmaster CL-1 Mic Activator can save you from an underperforming pre amp. Even with a fully capable pre amp, using this inline adds a huge amount of gain and boosts the performance of this mic.
Get a reliable audio interface to ensure your mic can be used to the fullest and it isn’t too quiet.
What Is The Shure SM7B Microphone Best Used For?
I alluded to it earlier in this Shure SM7B review, but I will restate it, this microphone is a good choice for YouTube video creation, podcasts and streams. No matter who uses it, they can rely on the high audio quality. For example:
- Podcasts
- YouTube videos
- Voiceovers
- Music Production
- Vocals
- Streams
The options are endless with the Shure SM7B. You’ll never have to worry about choppy quality. Though not really convenient, this microphone fits in well into handheld situations like entertaining streams and YouTube videos.
Sound quality
The sound quality on vocals was where I this mic really shines. It has a warmth and depth that can make your podcast, video or stream sound perfect. Lesser quality mics can sound shrill or harsh for certain voices, which distracts the listener from the actual content of the podcast or YouTube.
The need for a lot of gain means you’ll have to add an inline activator or use a really good pre amp if you don’t want the SM7B to be too quiet. Par for the course for passive microphones, just a reminder.
The heavy duty construction helps lessen annoying rumble if you do need to move it during recording. It also isn’t greatly affected by other vibrations, depending on the quality of the mounting. The pop filter is also a great design feature, aided by the removable wind screen.
An internal air suspension shock isolation virtually eliminates mechanical noise transmission. It has excellent shielding against electromagnetic hum generated by computer monitors, neon lights, and other electronic devices in the recording area.
Frequency response
The SM7B has a smooth frequency response that was clearly evident in this this Shure SM7B review. I would say it is appropriate for music and speech in all professional audio applications. You can see the Shure SM7B in action on the Joe Rogan Podcast which has had hundreds of millions of views.
After hours of listening back you start to hear it has more of a a flat, wide-range frequency response that results in exceptionally clean and natural reproduction of both music and speech. It is designed for good bass roll off and mid-range emphasis.
The actual numbers of the dynamic range is 50 to 20,000 Hz. I felt I got my best recording results with the bass roll off and the boost on.
Sound pressure levels
Shure says this can handle a SPL of 180 db, much more than the loudest sound you’re likely to produce in a studio. 140 db is the SPL accepted as the threshold for causing ear pain.
191 dB SPL is the largest pressure variation an undistorted sound wave can have in Earth’s atmosphere. With this mic rated at 180 db, I’m pretty sure you can get distortion free response even if you get really excited and start yelling into the mic.
This is a great and easy to follow review of the mic.
Why the Shure SM7B is suitable for Podcasts, Videos and Streams
The Shure SM7B in this review is for everyone with a budget above $400.
Of course, affordability is subjective. If you are a professional in any of several different fields, you are going to want the best equipment you can afford. Just like in photography or film making.
If the highest quality sound reproduction possible is your aim, and you don’t have a movie studio budget, it is hard to wrong with the Shure SM7B microphone. Your content will not suffer at all when you properly integrate the mic to your setup.
BEST PODCAST & VIDEO RECORDING MIC IN 2023
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