I recently got the opportunity to use the Shure SM7B and found out why this microphone is used by some of the best audio engineers in the business.

The Shure SM7B is a dynamic microphone that is mainly designed for voice recording and live sound applications, it features a cardioid pickup pattern, a bass rolloff, a high mid boost, great off-axis rejection and a pronounced proximity effect.

I like the sound of the mic with the mid-range boost for a male announcer voice as it adds the clarity and allows the voice to cut through a little better than it might on just the flat setting. The proximity effect is quite pronounced, the low end is very full sounding as you get closer to the mic which makes it great as a broadcast or voice over microphone.

Update:

If you want to use this for quite voice overs you need a preamp! This is the one I have and it is great!

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The low end rolloff is useful if you are recording in a room that is not well treated and need to filter out the room noise or if you have a very boomy voice talent.

The SM7B also sounds great on a male singing voice and has been used by Eddie Vedder, Michael Jackson, Metallica and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Check out the specs:

Eric Paul, the engineer for Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash had this to say:

“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 guarantee you that if the expensive mic doesn’t work, an SM-7 will. For some reason, people sound better on them.”

Mix Magazine March 1998

The July Issue of EQ Magazine states:

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

Overall the Shure SM7B is an excellent dynamic microphone and would highly recommend adding it to your mic collection especially if you are recording male vocals or voice over talent. A must have for any audio engineering you are doing.

Pick Up Your Shure SM7B Now!