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