Shure SM 7 Dynamic Microphone Review no comments
The Shure SM7 dynamics mic came highly recommended from thevarious professional recording engineers that I’ve talked toonline. Many pro recording guys say that the SM7 should be oneof the first mics that you buy. I now know why.The Shure SM7b is basically an upgraded SM57. It looks muchdifferent than an SM57 and sounds different for a number ofreasons. The SM7 started out as a voiceover microphone.
If youwatch Howard Stern, you’ll notice that Robin uses a Shure SM7.I’m not sure about the guts, vintage guitar, inside, but one feature that makesthe Shure SM7 a different microphone is the position of thecapsule. They actually built a cage about 2-3″, vintage guitar, around thecapsule. So even if your lips are touching the mic, they have ahealthy space from the capsule. I’m sure this was a way toreduce the proximity effect that comes with the hypercardioddesign.
The downside to putting the capsule at least 2″ from tip of themic is the chance for picking up other sounds is increased quitea bit. To combat this effect, they wrapped the cage in foam.This foam not only increases the isolation of this mic, but itworks as a natural pop filter.The Shure SM7 has two different tone settings on the back of themicrophone that make it much more flexible. It has a low endroll off which is common on pro mics and it has a prescenseboost which is not so common on mics.
I must be honest, Ihaven’t experimented much with the low end roll off switch. Forevery application that I’ve used the mic for I haven’t wanted amassive low end. Last night was the first time I disengaged the low end roll off.I was recording a band totally live in a crowded, small room. Ihad recorded the singer several times before. While he has agreat voice, he wants the tone of his voice to be as thick andfull as possible.
I went ahead and turned off the low end filterfor him. I also turned off the prescence boost. I knew, vintage, vintage guitar, guitar, his voicewould have plenty of prescense. The band had drums, bass,electric guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, and saxaphonebasically all in the same rooms. The band leader was adamentabout recording EVERYTHING live. This means that I, vintage guitar, needed a tadbit of isolation in the vocals.
It turned out that there was more isolation than I needed. TheShure SM7 certainly blocked out unwanted sounds quite easily. Wehave a Mackie active PA speaker blasting the room full of sound.I was wearing ear plugs. The SM 7 did an amazing job, vintage guitar, . I’m veryimpressed. The singer said that his vocals never sounded as goodwith condenser mics such the Audio Technica 4050 or the AKG 414.What’s amazing is this great sound was done live with noheadphones with noise all over the place.
It’s no wonder the SM 7 is used on some many professionalrecordings. The SM7′s claim to fame is the Micheal Jackson”Thriller” record. They could have used any vintage microphoneon the planet, but they choose the, vintage guitar, Shure SM7. I’ve read, vintage guitar, that theRed Hot Chili Peppers have used, vintage guitar, the SM 7 on vocals on ever albumthey have done. I’ve also heard that 3, vintage guitar, Doors Down uses, vintage guitar, this mica lot.
You can see James Hetfield from Metallica singing into aShure SM 7 on the “Some Kind Of Monster” DVD.For $350, it’s tough to beat a Shure SM 7. It’s durable. It willlast. It’s pro. This mic is great in a loud, live recordingsetting or in an overdub with headphones setting. I’m impressedby this mic. You can tailer the sound to fit what you arelooking for. I’ve even heard that it’s a great kick drum mictoo.
Source: articleage.com