The Broadcast Legend Gets An Upgrade: Introducing the Shure SM7dB

SHURE   |   March 1, 2024

posted by: Levi

The Shure SM7 is the stuff of legend in the audio world. First introduced in the 1970s, this smooth, warm, and rich-sounding dynamic microphone quickly became an industry standard in radio broadcasting and voiceover work. Even after 5 decades, the current iteration – the SM7B – remains one of the most popular microphones around for podcasters, streamers, and YouTubers.

However, the SM7B does have one well-known quirk – it has a notoriously low output level. This means that to get a strong signal from the mic, you need a powerful preamp with ultra-clean gain to boost that signal. Most audio interfaces don’t provide enough gain on their own, so an external preamp is usually required when using the SM7B.

Enter the Shure SM7dB – an exciting new take on a classic microphone! Shure has taken all of the sonic goodness of the SM7B and added a high-quality, built-in preamp so you don’t need to purchase any external hardware to boost the signal. This makes the SM7dB an easy all-in-one solution for home studio enthusiasts and content creators.

What’s the Same?

Let’s start with what has stayed consistent between the SM7B and the SM7dB. Most importantly, the core dynamic microphone capsule itself remains unchanged. This means you get that same smooth frequency response, natural mid-range emphasis, and warm vintage character that has made the SM7 so coveted.

The SM7dB also retains the SM7 line’s exceptional noise rejection. The guarded design focuses on picking up audio from directly in front, while minimizing bleed from elsewhere. This makes it fantastically suited to speech applications like streaming, voiceovers, or ASMR recording.

What's New?

As mentioned above, the big change here is the inclusion of an integrated preamp. Shure has designed and tuned the preamp specifically for the SM7 capsule to provide up to +60 dB of totally clean gain. This gives you much more signal level to work with, allowing you to connect directly to most any audio interface or mixer without needing an external preamp or Cloudlifter.

To accommodate the onboard preamp, the SM7dB body is slightly longer than the SM7B. But aside from the extra length and gain control knob on the rear, the overall visual design stays true to the original. It features the same all-metal construction that could easily double as a deadly melee weapon in the zombie apocalypse.

Who is it For?

The SM7dB really seems geared toward streamers, podcasters, voiceover talent, and home studio musicians/vocalists who want great broadcast sound on a budget. The integrated preamp makes setup significantly easier by reducing both cost and complexity.

Serious recording studios will likely still prefer the standard SM7B paired with high-end preamps. But for anyone looking for an affordable all-in-one microphone solution for solo recording, the SM7dB is tough to beat. You get that same rich and smooth SM7 sound, just with more gain already built-in.

Ideal Usage Scenarios

Here are a few examples of recording situations where the SM7dB would shine:

Key Specs

Let’s round things up by looking at some key technical specs for the Shure SM7dB:

Ready for an SM7 Mic Upgrade?

The legendary Shure SM7 has picked up yet another extraordinary chapter in its story with the release of the SM7dB. This exciting new take on a classic broadcast mic opens up that smooth, focused sound to so many more home studio owners by including aBuilt-in preamp.

If you’ve been eager to get your hands on the SM7 but have been hesitant about the need for extra preamp hardware, your wait is over. With the Shure SM7dB, you can finally experience this industry icon in your home studio setup without added complexity or cost. It’s the SM7 made simple!

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2 thoughts on "The Broadcast Legend Gets An Upgrade: Introducing the Shure SM7dB"

  1. Paul says:

    Wow, what a comprehensive review of the Shure SM7dB! As a podcaster and avid user of the original SM7B, I couldn’t be more thrilled about this new iteration. The addition of the built-in preamp is a game-changer, eliminating the need for extra hardware and simplifying the setup process.

    I’ve been using the SM7B for both taking calls and recording my weekly podcast episodes, and the quality of sound it delivers is unparalleled. The smooth frequency response and excellent noise rejection make it perfect for capturing clear and professional-grade audio.

    With the SM7dB, Shure has truly made the iconic SM7 even more accessible to home studio enthusiasts like myself. Whether you’re streaming, podcasting, doing voiceovers, or recording music, this microphone seems like the ultimate all-in-one solution.

    Kudos to Shure for continuing to innovate and improve upon a classic microphone that has stood the test of time. I can’t wait to upgrade to the SM7dB and experience its enhanced capabilities firsthand!

  2. Levi says:

    I can’t wait to hear how much the sound quality improves on next weeks podcast episode, Paul! Keep up the great job.

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