Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid

by Shure

Product Features

• Flat, wide-range frequency response for exceptionally clean and natural reproduction of both music and speech. Bass rolloff and mid-range emphasis (presence boost) controls with graphic display of response setting.
• Improved rejection of electromagnetic hum, optimized for shielding against broadband interference emitted by computer monitors. Highly effective pop filter eliminates need for any add-on protection against explosive breath sounds, even for close-up vocals.
• Now shipping with the A7WS detachable windscreen, designed to reduce plosive sounds and gives a warmer tone for close-talk vocals. Yoke mounting with captive stand nut for easy mounting and dismounting provides precise control of microphone position.
• Classic cardioid polar pattern, uniform with frequency and symmetrical about axis, to provide maximum rejection and minimum coloration of off-axis sound. Rugged construction and excellent cartridge protection for outstanding reliability.
• Includes foam winscreen, close-talk windscreen, and locking yoke mount.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 7 x 4.5 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002E4Z8M
• Item model number: SM7B
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #844 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #11 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones > Dynamic Microphones > Vocal

Product Description

The SM7B is a selectable frequency response microphone that delivers warm and smooth audio in close-proximity studio and vocal applications. Optimized shielding from external electromagnetic hum, along with internal shock mounting, external windscreens and adjustable bass roll-off and midrange emphasis response settings provide clean, consistent reproduction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST VOICE MICROPHONE THERE IS!, December 16, 2004

By 

FOX (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid (Electronics)

If you are looking for a microphone for voice-overs or broadcast use, THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO BUY.

The Shure SM-5 and SM-7 microphones are the best voice mics ever made. The large SM-5 is no longer made, so you can only find it used, but the SM-7 is just as good. Either one, you have the best.

Don't let the price fool you. I have brought this in to studios that have $3000 Neuman condenser mics and they laughed when I said I wanted to use my $300 Shure mic instead. I told them to put up both mics and do an A/B test while I spoke into each of them. The three other audio engineers in the studio had to agree, the Shure was better and it was a night and day difference, not hard at all to decide it was best.

This mic has a warmth and rich sound no other mic can give you.

Even industry publications like MIX MAGAZINE and RadioWorld have done reviews where they did the same tests and said the same things about this mic in comparison to the expensive condenser mics...

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from MIX MAGAZINE, March 1998, page 53:

Eric Paul has made a career out of recording country giants like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and many others: "My favorite overall microphone for voices is the Shure SM-5. If they can't get a Shure SM-5, they can still get Shure SM-7s, which are still available. If you've tried out three very expensive tube mics and you aren't happy with any of them, then the next step should immediately be a Shure SM-7. I will almost always guarentee you that if the expensive mic doesn't work, an SM-7 will. For some reason, people sound better on them."

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from RADIO WORLD, February 18 1998, page 62:

Joe Stack, director of engineering for ABC radio said: "When I worked at WATH in Athens, Ohio, I had someone call and offer me ten RE-20s for the three SM-5s we had. I turned him down."

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from EQ MAGAZINE, July 2006 issue:

The SM7 is perhaps most famous for being used as the vocal microphone on Michael Jackson's Thriller engineered by Bruce Swedien.

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Some interesting facts about the SM-7...

"When we were doing "Off The Wall", "Thriller" and "Bad" I ended up with 6 Shure SM7's. That is a fantastic mike." - Bruce Swedien

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have used the SM 7 on vocals on every album they have done.

You can see James Hetfield from Metallica singing into a Shure SM 7 on the "Some Kind Of Monster" DVD.

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Another thing I have noticed in the studio, is that some of my other mics require gating and downward expanders on the mics to get rid of room noise, but the SM-7 doesn't need it. It is quiet all by itself.

And to save many hours trying to edit out mouth noises, clicks and smacks from voice-over talent that use expensive CONDENSER microphones, just have them use the SM-7 next time, and no more wasted time editing out mouth noises anymore.

Throughout the years on the Howard Stern Show, they have replaced and tried all sorts of microphones, from the Electrovoice RE-20 to Neuman mics. But if you notice, the Co-host, Robin Quivers, STILL uses the Shure SM-7 and refuses to change to any of the other mics. You can see throughout the years on the TV show that although the mics are always changing for everyone else, Robin ALWAYS has the SM-7 to this day.

Since the Howard Stern Show has moved to Sirrius Sattelite, the show had to buy new microphones, (couldn't take them with from CBS) and everyone seems to be using the same mics they did before. Robin has another SM-7 so she really likes this mic! It looks different now, because she has the larger windscreen that now comes with the SM-7.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite vocal mic, October 14, 2009

By 

W. Welch (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid (Electronics)

You know how your singing/speaking voice always sounds richer in your head than it does on tape? This mic makes you sound on tape like you sound in your head.

The Good:
* Thick low-mids, a nice presence bump, and an agreeable proximity effect that has none of that "Help I'm trapped in a box" sound you get with an SM58 or other dynamic cardioid vocal mic.
* Off-axis noise rejection makes this a good choice for live room recording, where a condenser mic would get too much bleed.
* There's just something about the giant foam wind/pop screen that is fun to sing into. This is a friendly mic that sounds great.

You should know:
* You'll need a pre-amp with 60dB gain to get a proper level out of this mic. Most computer audio interfaces with built-in mic pre's have only 30-40db of gain. As a test, if an SM58 in your setup requires that you max the gain, you'll definitely need to pair this mic with an external pre-amp (you probably need one for your SM58 too!).
* This isn't intended as a hand-held live mic, though people have done it.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Grail, July 17, 2009

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid (Electronics)

I can't do more than underscore the endorsement of this mic by the previous reviewer (FOX). If you haven't started in the mic-collecting business, trying every trendy dynamic and condenser mic in the hundred dollar range and below, you might actually save some bucks by cutting directly to the chase and going for this one. I've always wondered why I can't reproduce the sounds of our local NPR outlet, and I finally realize it's because they have the Shure SM7B and I don't.

It enhances the voice with depth and richness and filters out the pops and unwanted percussives (face it, those separate pop filters are cumbersome to use). It's very directional and "selective" (rejecting room ambience and background noise), so it's perhaps not the ideal mic for all applications. But for announcing, broadcasting, vocal performance and vocal recording, I don't see how anything could possibly equal let alone surpass it.