recordinghacks

CardioidShure SM7B

MSRP: $620 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

Shure SM7B

Description

The Shure SM7B is a dynamic microphone based on a moving-coil element similar to the Unidyne III design found in the SM57. It has a relatively smooth frequency response from 50 Hz to 5000 Hz, with many peaks and dips between 5k and about 12k, after which HF frequencies drop off.

Two recessed switches on the mic body enable onboard filters that change the frequency response. The HPF or “bass rolloff” switch attenuates low frequencies below 400 Hz (approx -3dB @ 200 Hz). The “presence boost” switch raises high-mids (approx +3dB from 2k-4k Hz).

The cartridge is shock-mounted internally to reduce handling noise. A humbucking coil and other electronics shield the mic from EMI/EMF/RFI (electromagnetic interference).

What are the differences between the SM7, SM7A, and SM7B?

The SM7A revision improved the humbucking coil and the design of the yoke mount.

The SM7B incorporated a larger windscreen.*

“[The SM7] is one of the finest mics that Shure has ever made.”

In an entertaining 2004 interview with TapeOp, Alex and Harvey Gerst of Indian Trail Recording Studio cite the SM7 as their go-to mic for applications as diverse as vocals and hi-hat.

The cartridge for the SM7, SM7A, and SM7B is p/n RPM106.

The Shure SM7B is also known as: SM-7, SM7, SM7A, SM-7A.

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
  • Cardioid (40 - 16,000 Hz)
  • Filter: HPF (Via Switch)
  • Filter: Presence boost (Via Switch)
Coil Diameter Impedance Max SPL
n/a 150 Ohms (Low (50-1000 Ohms)) 180 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
765g (26.98oz) 190mm (7.48'') 64mm (2.52'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications

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