Shure SM7B
The Shure SM7B is a versatile and highly-regarded microphone that is popular among professional and semi-professional audio engineers and podcasters. This dynamic microphone is known for its smooth, natural sound, making it ideal for a wide range of applications, including podcasting, voiceover work, and even music recording.
One of the things that makes the SM7B so popular is its versatility. With its switchable bass roll-off and mid-range boost, the SM7B can be tailored to suit a wide range of voices and recording environments. This makes it ideal for both male and female voices, and for recording in spaces that have varying levels of background noise or echo. Additionally, the SM7B's built-in pop filter and internal shock mount help to reduce unwanted plosives and handling noise, ensuring that your recordings sound as clean and professional as possible.
Another key feature of the SM7B is its excellent build quality. The microphone is constructed from high-quality materials and is built to last. Its durable construction and internal shock mount help to protect the microphone from knocks and bumps, ensuring that your recordings will always sound great. Additionally, the SM7B's robust construction makes it ideal for use on the road or in other demanding environments.
The SM7B is also known for its smooth, natural sound. The microphone's warm and balanced sound signature makes it ideal for recording a wide range of voices and instruments. Whether you're recording vocals, guitar, or drums, the SM7B will capture the nuances of your sound with clarity and precision. Additionally, the SM7B's frequency response is tailored to provide a smooth and natural sound, making it ideal for both podcasting and voiceover work.
Another thing that many people appreciate about the SM7B is the fact that it's relatively budget-friendly. For a microphone of this quality, it's considered to be reasonably priced. While it's not the cheapest microphone on the market, its price point is still accessible for many aspiring podcasters and audio engineers.
While the SM7B is a great microphone, it's important to note that it is a dynamic microphone and it requires a bit more gain than a condenser microphone. This means that you'll need a preamp or audio interface with enough headroom to accommodate the SM7B's output level. Additionally, the SM7B is a cardioid microphone which means it is sensitive to sounds coming from the front and less sensitive to sounds coming from the back and sides.
It's worth mentioning that the Shure SM7B has a legendary status in the music and podcasting industry. One of the most iconic examples of its use is in Michael Jackson's 1982 album "Thriller". The album was recorded with the SM7B and it was a key factor in the album's success and the making of some of the biggest hits from the album such as "Billie Jean" and "Beat".
Another example of the SM7B's popularity is its use by Joe Rogan, host of the most popular podcast on the planet, "The Joe Rogan Experience". He's been using the SM7B as his go-to microphone for years, and has praised the microphone for its natural sound and ability to handle a wide range of voices. This is a testament to the microphone's versatility and the fact that it can be used in a variety of settings and for a wide range of applications.
In conclusion, the Shure SM7B is a versatile and highly-regarded microphone that is ideal for a wide range of applications. Its switchable bass roll-off and mid-range boost, built-in pop filter, internal shock mount, and natural sound make it a great option for both professional and semi-professional audio engineers and podcasters. With a reasonable price point, durability and a natural sound, it's definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new microphone.
