SM7B vs SM57 shoot-out on Voice-Over

[James Lehmann]

Here are two 24-bit WAV files comparing the SM7B and the SM57 on my voice.

SM7B.wav

SM57.wav

The clips were recorded with the capsules of the two microphones as closely aligned as possible, through a matched pair of Vovox 5m microphone cables and into a Metric Halo ULN-2 set to 66 and 60dB of gain respectively as the SM57 is about 6dB hotter than the SM7B.

With the gain adjustment already mentioned on the pre-amps, the files peaked to within 0.3dB of each other so I have left them completely untouched. Normalise to suit if that is your wont.

The Metric Halo ULN-2 is a well-respected and very transparent pre-amp that can deliver oodles of clean gain up to 72dB - I think it's fair to say you are listening to both mics as pure as they can sound with nothing added and nothing taken away.

These clips were recorded in response to a number of threads on the Gearslutz Forum claiming that the two microphones should and do sound identical according to the spec sheets. Whilst I would always encourage folks to do their own testing with their own equipment before buying anything, the clips will hopefully furnish you with some useful secondary evidence that you can listen to and evaluate by way of actually using your ears.

If you want 'laboratory conditions' testing please look elsewhere or conduct your own - my shoot-outs just try to be as realworld as possible, and of course are only 100% relevant to the source I use, ie my own voice.



EDIT: Added Lap-Harp & Djembe clips:

SM7B Harp (+72dB)
SM57 Harp (+66dB)
SM7B Djembe Rim (+42dB)
SM57 Djembe Rim (+36dB)

Plus there's the shaker loop WAVs I made in this thread that included examples of both mics.

[Kobifarhi]

thanks.. nice work . sibiliance are less problematic on the sm7 and bass response sound better.at least in my setup.It would be interesting to compare old sm7 to that sm7b..

[nosebleedaudio]

7b has far better bass..
57 has the expected less bass..
My question is what spec sheet is someone looking at to say the specs are the same???
I just looked at them and I see a very big difference...
SM57 down 10dB @ 50Hz
S7b down 5dB @ 50Hz..
Plus the uppers mids/HF are very different...

The RE20 is down 5dB @40Hz...

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by nosebleedaudio

7b has far better bass..
57 has the expected less bass..
My question is what spec sheet is someone looking at to say the specs are the same???
I just looked at them and I see a very big difference...
SM57 down 10dB @ 50Hz
S7b down 5dB @ 50Hz..
Plus the uppers mids/HF are very different...

The RE20 is down 5dB @40Hz...

I agree but there's a dude in this thread making various claims - so I linked that thread to this one for starters!

[Mike Brown]

Originally Posted by James Lehmann

Here are two WAV files comparing the SM7B and the SM57.

SM7B.wav

SM57.wav

The clips were recorded with the capsules of the two microphones as closely aligned as possible, through a matched pair of Vovox 5m microphone cables and into a Metric Halo ULN-2 set to 66 and 60dB of gain respectively as the SM57 is about 6dB hotter than the SM7B.

With the gain adjustment already mentioned on the pre-amps, the files peaked to within 0.3dB of each other so I have left them completely untouched. Normalise to suit if that is your wont.

The Metric Halo ULN-2 is a well-respected and very transparent pre-amp that can deliver oodles of clean gain up to 72dB - I think it's fair to say you are listening to both mics as pure as they can sound with nothing added and nothing taken away.

These clips were recorded in response to a number of threads on the Gearslutz Forum claiming that the two microphones should and do sound identical according to the spec sheets. Whilst I would always encourage folks to do their own testing with their own equipment before buying anything, the clips will hopefully furnish you with some useful secondary evidence that you can listen to and evaluate by way of actually using your ears.

If you want 'laboratory conditions' testing please look elsewhere or conduct your own - my shoot-outs just try to be as realworld as possible, and of course are only 100% relevant to the source I use, ie my own voice.

Thanks for the test.... sounds pretty different to me. thumbsup

[lannishboy]

Thanks for posting this. Clearly they sound different. What were the EQ settings on the SM7b? It has been suggested that the "flat" setting is actually a high eq cut and that the high boost would be more similar to the SM57. At the risk of adding oil to the water, I'm curious how an SM57 compares to an SM7 after removing the plastic disc in front of the diaphragm, and replacing the transformer with the TAB mod. This might result in something closer to a poor man's SM7 - which appeals to me because the SM7 is so overpriced in the UK.

[James Lehmann]

Originally Posted by lannishboy

What were the EQ settings on the SM7b?

All switches on the SM7B were set to flat.

[lannishboy]

Thank you again for clarifying that

[Mark D.]

The SM7B is amazing as is. Has anyone considered mods? Maybe a smaller & closer basket.
Improved and more minimal signal path, with better wire. Getting rid of the HPF & that high
mid boost switches and circuts. Maybe installing an XLR M, to get rid of that external wire,
and allow a more direct connection. Just an idea. Maybe JJ, Mike Joly or any other techies.

[pasarski]

Originally Posted by Mark D.

The SM7B is amazing as is. Has anyone considered mods?

Ok, I get your point, just had to do it, sorry.

I don't think the head basket is the one you want to mod because it's the thing that makes that mic sound as it does. And I don't think few switches and extra wires in a dynamic mic do any harm to the sound, I might be wrong though.

[Mark D.]

Originally Posted by pasarski

I don't think the head basket is the one you want to mod because it's the thing that makes that mic sound as it does. And I don't think few switches and extra wires in a dynamic mic do any harm

The headbasket idea would be one who could experiment. Meaning, different designs, shapes, & distances from the capsule. While switches & wire would have minimal affect, I always seek the shortest, most connection. There could also be other things related to mounting, certain materials used in design beyond what I know of mics in general. I'm not familiar with the internal aspects of the mic body, electronics.

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by Mark D.

The SM7B is amazing as is. Has anyone considered mods? Maybe a smaller & closer basket.
Improved and more minimal signal path, with better wire. Getting rid of the HPF & that high
mid boost switches and circuts. Maybe installing an XLR M, to get rid of that external wire,
and allow a more direct connection. Just an idea. Maybe JJ, Mike Joly or any other techies.

I'll pull this to Jim and Langston's attention.

[Bob Olhsson]

The switches set to "flat" on an SM-7 includes an equalizer circuit.

[Mark D.]

Thanks. That's something I wasn't aware of. I've used them in other studios I'd worked at, but I have not taken one apart or done a lot of research into them. Many mod suggestions may not be feasable or beneficial for it. If I'd suggest a mod to maintain that it would be to implement the EQ cut which I find useful, as permanent in the circuit. A possible headbasket mod, in bringing talent closer to the capsule (and having them use a pop-screen) plus other possible mechanical mods, could net an even more full range sound. It is what seems to be the most remarkable for me. How this dynamic mic can compare so favorably to a condenser, for getting the fuller range sound (more highs and lows). I'm glad I've been at least able to get people talking about it. is there anywhere one can find pictures / illustrations of the inside of the mic body. I've searched and can't find them anywhere.