Sm58 vs. Sm7b

[G-Sun]

A new little shootout.

Mics:
- Shure Sm58
- Shure Sm7b

You can find all files, wav.zip 44khz/16bit and mp3 256kbs vbr: Here
Additional folder for preamp UA 610 solo (not identical takes)

Path:
Vocal > Mic > Mackie Onyx 800r (pre and AD)
C1jjMod > UA 610 > Rme Hdsp 9632

Technical:
Recorded at aprox. 12 dbFS peak (+-2db).
Normalized to common RMS-value, Rms-window 0,3s
UA 610 solo:
L9: Level is set to 9, clear setting
G9: Gain is set to 9, tubiest setting

Edit: New files uploaded
B: 75hz highpass
C: 75hz HP, sm7b presence switch engaged

[Jose]

Thanks.

I think it is hard to evaluate with different takes.

SM58 is the bang for the buck.I've got one..LOL

[binarymilton]

6 seconds really isn't enough to go on.

Still, I now know that if a Norwegian-accented male vocalist ever asks me to record him singing the first half of the first line of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" and I only have an SM58 and SM7B available, I will probably go for the SM58.

[G-Sun]

Originally Posted by Jose

Thanks.

I think it is hard to evaluate with different takes.

SM58 is the bang for the buck.I've got one..LOL

Thanks for listening!
The mp3-files in first post are identical takes (the UA610-files not).

[G-Sun]

Originally Posted by binarymilton

6 seconds really isn't enough to go on.

Still, I now know that if a Norwegian-accented male vocalist ever asks me to record him singing the first half of the first line of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" and I only have an SM58 and SM7B available, I will probably go for the SM58.

Hehe
You get into that situation quite often, don't you?

One question I have after listening:
There seems to be a sort of high-fq noise on both the SM58 and sm7b, changing with audio-content. A sort of air/hiss. Is that a dynamic mic-thing?

[G-Sun]

Seems like one thing that make me prefer the sm58 is the presence-peak. So, the perceived loudness of the sm58 is maybe higher.
I should really record a take with the sm7b's presence switch engaged to compare.
And/or adjust the volume a little.

[TS-12]

a while back back I had an opportunity to test sm7b, sm58, beta87a, sennheiser e838 and rode nt1-a.

(we put nt1-a aside since it's large condenser and had annoying distortion in high end after listening to the recordings.)
we recorded vox at the same thru all mics at the same time thru presonus studiolive 16.4.2 into cubase 44.1khz/16bit, and than listening to each mic individually we all came to same opinion/conclusion in this order from best sounding to less great sounding:
SM7b
87a
e838
sm58

we have found sm7b and sm58 very different sounding.

[johndykstra]

Originally Posted by binarymilton

Still, I now know that if a Norwegian-accented male vocalist ever asks me to record him singing the first half of the first line of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" and I only have an SM58 and SM7B available, I will probably go for the SM58.

classic

[G-Sun]

New files uploaded, see first post for details

[G-Sun]

Blog-post with my conclusions:
Geir's audio blog: Mics: Sm58 vs. Sm7b

[Halloween]

Testing 1, 2, tree