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In the world of audio broadcasting, the Shure SM7B microphone has long been a staple, gracing the studios of live radio, podcasters, and streamers alike. Its sleek, black design and signature sound have made it a favorite among professionals. As the microphone celebrates its 50th anniversary, Shure has unveiled its latest iteration, the SM7dB, a model that not only commemorates the product’s longevity but also addresses one of its most significant challenges.
The SM7B is renowned for its need for substantial amplification, which can result in quiet audio or an undesirable hissing sound when paired with subpar preamps. This issue often leads users to invest in an additional in-line preamp, such as a FetHead or CloudLifter, adding an extra $100 to the $399 price tag of the SM7B.
Shure SM7dB Microphone: Price
The new Shure SM7dB, priced at $499, eliminates this need for additional hardware. It comes equipped with a built-in preamp that provides either an 18- or 28dB gain boost, promising a clean increase in volume. This enhancement doesn’t significantly alter the microphone’s size or form factor, although the Shure SM7dB Microphone is slightly longer than its predecessor.
Aesthetically, the matte black finish has been replaced with a shinier paint job, and a glossy “Shure” logo now adorns the microphone body. The introduction of the preamp also brings practical changes. The original SM7B featured two switches on its rear for a high pass filter and a mid-frequency boost.
The Shure SM7dB Microphone retains these but adds two more switches for bypassing the preamp and toggling between the gain levels. When the “bypass” function is activated, the SM7dB operates as a standard dynamic microphone, eliminating the need for phantom power. However, when the preamp is engaged, a 48v power supply is required to drive it. Most audio interfaces with an XLR input provide phantom power, so this shouldn’t pose a problem for most users, but it does represent a slight workflow adjustment for those accustomed to working with dynamic microphones.
What is a pre-amp?
An audio pre-amplifier (often shortened to “pre-amp”) for a microphone serves a crucial function in the signal chain of audio recording and processing. At its core, the primary role of a microphone pre-amp is to amplify the low-level signal generated by the microphone to a level suitable for processing, recording, or further amplification.
Microphones produce a very weak electrical signal, often referred to as “mic level.” This signal is too low to be effectively processed or recorded by most audio equipment, which generally expects a stronger “line level” input.
The pre-amp, therefore, takes this mic-level signal and amplifies it to line level. But the role of a pre-amp isn’t just about amplification:
- Quality & Clarity: A good pre-amp ensures that the amplification process introduces minimal noise and distortion, preserving the clarity and integrity of the original sound.
- Impedance Matching: Microphones have an inherent electrical impedance, and a pre-amp can help match this impedance to that of subsequent equipment in the signal chain, ensuring optimal signal transfer and minimizing potential signal degradation.
- Tonal Coloration: Some pre-amps are designed to add a specific character or “color” to the sound, which can be desirable in certain musical or recording contexts.
- Additional Controls: Many pre-amps come with added functionalities such as phantom power (required by certain types of microphones), phase inversion, high-pass filtering, and more.
In essence, a microphone pre-amp acts as the bridge between the microphone and the rest of the audio setup, ensuring the signal is strong, clear, and optimized for further processing or recording.
The New Shure Hotness
Dynamic microphones are known for their noise rejection capabilities, making them more forgiving of background noise or ambient sounds. Thankfully, the addition of the built-in preamp doesn’t compromise this feature. The SM7dB continues to function as a dynamic microphone should, unlike condenser microphones which require phantom power to operate and are more sensitive to noise.
In testing, the SM7dB, with the full 28dB of gain applied, initially seemed to produce some audible noise when recording silence. However, it became apparent that the high gain and full-volume recording setting on the audio interface was simply too loud, picking up more ambient noise than necessary.
Once the levels were adjusted, the noise floor disappeared. Unsurprisingly, when the preamp is turned off, the SM7dB sounds nearly identical to its predecessor. Tests conducted via a Rodecaster Duo, which has ample gain to drive these microphones independently, showed that both of the SM7dB’s preamp settings resulted in clear, noise-free output with no obvious change in character, aligning perfectly with Shure’s intentions.
The SM7dB does come with a higher price tag, costing about $100 more than the regular SM7B. This could be a significant consideration, especially for those who don’t necessarily need the preamp but are looking to future-proof their setup or upgrade to the latest model. However, for those planning to purchase an SM7B and a separate preamp, the new model offers a cost-effective alternative.
Given the enduring popularity of the SM7B, the new edition is likely to be well received. The SM7dB not only offers the advantage of increased volume but also a more practical design. The design of the SM7B positions the XLR port facing either directly up or down on most boom arms or mic stands, which can make certain inline preamps look awkward. With the SM7dB, this visual distraction can be eliminated, adding to the appeal of this new model. The SM7dB is available for purchase starting today.
About the Author / Author Expertise
John Biggs is an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and maker. He spent fifteen years as an editor for Gizmodo, CrunchGear, and TechCrunch and has a deep background in hardware startups, 3D printing, and blockchain. His work has appeared in Men’s Health, Wired, and the New York Times.
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