Shure
Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone
Best professional-grade choice for podcasters, broadcasters, and vocalists.
The Shure SM7B is a dynamic cardioid studio microphone celebrated for its professional-grade audio capture. It offers a smooth, flat, wide-range frequency response, making it an excellent choice for broadcasters, vocalists, and podcasters. Engineered with superior shielding against electromagnetic hum, it ensures pristine audio quality even in electrically noisy environments. The SM7B boasts an updated bracket for enhanced stability and is renowned for producing a signature warm, balanced tone, especially when paired with sufficient gain. This versatile microphone is a top pick for achieving exceptional audio in various professional settings.
$99.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
149
/ 1735
#149 in Microphones
Price vs Category Average
-81%
Below average
Type
Dynamic
/ Dynamic
Who it's for
- Podcasters and broadcasters seeking a professional, studio-grade vocal sound
- Creators recording in untreated rooms with distracting background noise
- Voice artists needing to customize tone for different vocal styles
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious users lacking a high-gain audio interface or preamp
- Beginners looking for an all-in-one, affordable recording solution
- Travelers or creators needing a compact, portable microphone setup
Performance breakdown
Vocal Clarity
Delivers a signature warm, broadcast-ready tone that flatters almost any voice.
Background Noise Rejection
Superior shielding effectively eliminates electromagnetic hum and unwanted room interference.
Build Durability
Rugged construction ensures it survives years of heavy studio or podcast use.
Gain Sensitivity
Requires a high-quality preamp to reach its full, clean potential.
Mounting Stability
The updated bracket design provides reliable positioning without unwanted sagging.
Versatility
Excels at capturing everything from intimate vocals to loud instrument cabinets.
Key Specs
Type
Dynamic
Polar Pattern
Cardioid
Frequency Response
Smooth, flat, wide-range
Connectivity
XLR
Shielding
Electromagnetic hum shielding
Gain Requirement
At least 60dB recommended
Bracket Design
Improved for greater stability
Mounting Type
Desktop Stand
Features
- Ideal for broadcasters, vocalists, and podcasters
- Smooth, flat, wide-range frequency response
- Excellent electromagnetic interference shielding
- Updated bracket for enhanced stability
- Produces an iconic warm and balanced tone
- Versatile for professional audio applications
- Dynamic cardioid studio microphone
- Requires significant gain for optimal performance
What customers say
This microphone maintains its legendary status due to its exceptional sound quality and robust build. Users consistently praise its warm, smooth, broadcast ready audio profile, noting its superior ability to reject background noise and handle high sound pressure levels without distortion. Many view this purchase as a significant, long term investment that instantly elevates content professionalism. The universally lauded durability cements its reputation as a reliable industry standard. The main consideration is the low output, which requires a high gain preamp to unlock its full potential. Despite this setup requirement, customers agree the resulting studio grade performance justifies the premium price for serious creators.
Know before you buy
The SM7B is a low-output microphone that requires a significant amount of clean gain. To achieve optimal performance without background noise, you will likely need an audio interface capable of at least 60dB of gain or an inline preamp like a Cloudlifter or FetHead.
Yes. Because it is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid polar pattern, it is excellent at rejecting off-axis sound and background noise, making it a great choice for home studios or untreated spaces.
The SM7B uses a standard XLR connection. You will need an XLR cable and an audio interface or a mixer to connect it to your computer.
No, the SM7B does not include a desktop stand or boom arm. It features an integrated mounting bracket that is designed to attach to standard microphone stands or broadcast boom arms.
Unlike condenser microphones, the SM7B is a dynamic microphone, meaning it does not require phantom power to operate. It is generally more robust and better at handling loud sound sources while capturing a warmer, more controlled tone.
While it is industry-standard for vocals and broadcasting, its wide-range frequency response makes it very capable for recording instruments like guitar cabinets, drums, or brass, provided you have the necessary gain to drive it.
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