Yes...but is the Shure SM7 the most over-rated mike?

[Draytone]

Dunno if I said this here anywhere before, but I love my SM7. Its a great mic for all sorts of things. I also like my other mics too!

[Michael_Joly]

Its just a frigg'n dynamic mic that happens to sound less bad than many dynamic mics. Put an SM7 up against a Beyer M160 or Oktava ML-19 (both directional ribbons - if you need a unidirectional pattern) to hear how the natural frequency response and fast transient response of a ribbon mic makes the SM7 sound like it belongs on a conservative AM talk radio show.

Full disclosure - I own the SM7, RE18, RE20, RE50, 545, SM57 some Oktava dynamics and the ML-19 and some other dynamics I'm forgetting about. I don't sell or offer mods for any of them.

I thought this was a typo about the SM 57 LOL my bad

[KeithMoonwannabe]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

Its just a frigg'n dynamic mic that happens to sound less bad than many dynamic mics. Put an SM7 up against a Beyer M160 or Oktava ML-19 (both directional ribbons - if you need a unidirectional pattern) to hear how the natural frequency response and fast transient response of a ribbon mic makes the SM7 sound like it belongs on a conservative AM talk radio show.

Full disclosure - I own the SM7, RE18, RE20, RE50, 545, SM57 some Oktava dynamics and the ML-19 and some other dynamics I'm forgetting about. I don't sell or offer mods for any of them.

couldn't agree more I wasn't trying to start pointless flame wars just merely trying to bring people back to reality with some perspective

it's a mic, it has it's own character, and imho it gives it relatively limited use....like all tools in a mic locker it serves a purpose but to claim it's anything fantastic is simply kidding yourself because of all the dynamics I've used and owned it's not one of the first I throw up for anything if I have it available I'll try it to give it the benefit of the doubt but oftentimes I use different mics varying from time to time depending on source and situation.

I agree for the dynamic vibe a decent ribbon is definitely a huge step up in sound quality and honestly of dynamics I typically prefer Heil's PR-30 and PR-40 to the SM7b.

[Shannon Adkins]

If it's not a fantastic mic, then why does it get used so often in professional studios? Yes, the vast majority of major label records are tracked with very expensive condensers, but.....if you're reading an interview of a well known producer, and in that interview the producer states that he/she did not use a $2000+ condenser to track the vocal, what is the usual suspect mic you would most likely read was used in the very next sentence?
Shoot, just go into the Bruce Sweiden forum and see for yourself that he said it was a fantastic mic. Or the Butch Vig forum and read how it was the mic he used to track the Smashing Pumkins with.
You don't think Thriller had a great vocal sound and he could've gotten the same or better sound with another mic?...well maybe that's true. Really you should ask Mr. Sweiden why he chose to handicap himself by using such a mediocre mic. Maybe he was trying to make the process as challenging as possible.

[KeithMoonwannabe]

Originally Posted by Shannon Adkins

If it's not a fantastic mic, then why does it get used so often in professional studios? Yes, the vast majority of major label records are tracked with very expensive condensers, but.....if you're reading an interview of a well known producer, and in that interview the producer states that he/she did not use a $2000+ condenser to track the vocal, what is the usual suspect mic you would most likely read was used in the very next sentence?
Shoot, just go into the Bruce Sweiden forum and see for yourself that he said it was a fantastic mic. Or the Butch Vig forum and read how it was the mic he used to track the Smashing Pumkins with.
You don't think Thriller had a great vocal sound and he could've gotten the same or better sound with another mic?...well maybe that's true. Really you should ask Mr. Sweiden why he chose to handicap himself by using such a mediocre mic. Maybe he was trying to make the process as challenging as possible.

I could also argue that he chose the SM7b to show that the quality of a microphone will never trump the quality of a performance.

And not all engineers when they grab low cost mics grab an SM7b you are assuming they all do plus your statement would be limited to only a handful of engineers/well known producers.

Think about everyday commercial studios what do they grab? Honestly the everyday engineer probably has a tougher job than a well known one simply because they record better people. It takes more skill to make something bad into something decent than to make something great sound great.

Honestly you'll probably see engineers grab a variety of mics as they should because not every situation or source calls for the same mic.

Heil mics get a lot of praise, Sennheisers get praise, MXL get praise, Studio Projects get praise, Soundelux get praise, etc etc.

You'll find that even well known engineers use all sorts of tools and praise them. The SM7 isn't the only one.

[WB1984]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

Its just a frigg'n dynamic mic that happens to sound less bad than many dynamic mics. Put an SM7 up against a Beyer M160 or Oktava ML-19 (both directional ribbons - if you need a unidirectional pattern) to hear how the natural frequency response and fast transient response of a ribbon mic makes the SM7 sound like it belongs on a conservative AM talk radio show.

Full disclosure - I own the SM7, RE18, RE20, RE50, 545, SM57 some Oktava dynamics and the ML-19 and some other dynamics I'm forgetting about. I don't sell or offer mods for any of them.

I think, though, that when you hear an SM7 in the context of a mix it really shines. IMHO, YMMV, My $.02.

[WB1984]

Originally Posted by KeithMoonwannabe

I could also argue that he chose the SM7b to show that the quality of a microphone will never trump the quality of a performance.

This is going too far, sorry...

And really, it's an impossible point to argue----can you get into Butch Vig or Bruce Sweiden's heads during those sessions?

I think they would find your comment offensive, suggesting that they were using their clients time on high budget records simply to "prove a point" that "it's about performance." I would bet my bottom dollar that these 2 professionals were picking what they felt was the best mic for their sonic vision, the SM7.

[studiohero2010]

Originally Posted by aussie_techie

i think its closer to 2 years now.

Its a great mic to have around but its not the only mic either. Thriller did so well because MJ is (or at least was) a great artist with some great songs that were performed very well. There is no doubt that Bruce Swedien's choice of the original SM7 suited the album very well, but its entirely within the context of the album, its not a stand out vocal sound on its own. any mic could of been put up and MJs performance still would of shown through, no gear will ever trump a great performance.

True, true, true. The SM57 is best used for...... cabinets. If you are miking a PA cab, it would be great. For vocals in the (home) studio, you really need a condenser mic. Often, a direct signal will be mixed in with the feed from a PA speaker to give a bit more live feel and add some natural 'verb. sm57 would be the choice in that scenario.

[The Listener]

A good mic for the right purpose.

I love my beta58 - surprisingly it works wonders on a bit less common instrument - ghatam - a clay drum - if you close mic it you get better colour and nice transients than if you mic it with some condenser a bit further away - of course - if you want the exaggerated impact, not the audiophile "as it is" sound. The same with SM7 or for that matter MD441 by Sennheiser - they can "save" some vocals with hiding certain things and they are nice for loud vocalists. Did I say I really like my Shure Beta58? And 57, too, but more on acoustic guitars (occasionally), guitar cabinets (occasionally) and snare drums (occasionally).

All mics are overrated if you don't know where and why to use them and have too high expectations what should instantly happen.

Well, sometimes wonders do happen - you stick a certain mic at some point and you go WOW at what comes from the speakers, but that is rare - most of the times it's like - "hey we got a decent signal, it sounds OK, pretty decent as it is - try moving it around - e e e, that's it - it is cool, leave it there, I can imagine what we can do with it in the mix" - but no WOW factor...

[Shannon Adkins]

Originally Posted by studiohero2010

True, true, true. The SM57 is best used for...... cabinets. If you are miking a PA cab, it would be great. For vocals in the (home) studio, you really need a condenser mic. Often, a direct signal will be mixed in with the feed from a PA speaker to give a bit more live feel and add some natural 'verb. sm57 would be the choice in that scenario.

I've been consitently choosing my SM7 for vocals over my 4047 and 4033. And not because of any hype. The 4047 was my last purchace, and I wanted it to beat out the SM7...But most of the time, it doesn't on my voice. In fact, I didn't even really want to buy the SM7 for the longest time, because to me, dynamics just aren't as sexy as condensers are. I thought I should give it a try though, and I'm very glad I did. You don't "need" a condenser. It's talk like that that gets so many people to go out and buy MXL 990's.
This whole thread is stupid, because in all honesty, how can anyone argue that a mic that costs $350 brand new and delivers the results that it does be overrated?
I'm grateful that it gets the hype that it does, because I never would've tried it out otherwise.

[WB1984]

Originally Posted by Shannon Adkins

This whole thread is stupid, because in all honesty, how can anyone argue that a mic that costs $350 brand new and delivers the results that it does be overrated?

This.

[jordanvoth]

Originally Posted by Bodhisan

I'm not anxious to make this my first post--being an observer of this forum for at least three or four years, but...I used to have one of these because of the hype, but sold it because I didn't think it lived up to the hype. But now I keep reading more hype and wonder if I should try one again.

Over-rated or...deserving of the hype?

Bodhisan

In my experiences it hasn't really ever been the best choice. Usually a decent choice but never the best and as far as LDC's go I have a tlm 49 and a Cad E100 (so nothing fancy). I Almost always chose one of those over the SM7. I really just have it for hardcore bands cause when they see it their eyes light up.

[Mike Douaire]

Originally Posted by Shannon Adkins

This whole thread is stupid, because in all honesty, how can anyone argue that a mic that costs $350 brand new and delivers the results that it does be overrated?
I'm grateful that it gets the hype that it does, because I never would've tried it out otherwise.

Couldnt agree more. I avoided the SM7b for years. In the end, I got one used. Truly glad I did. For a project studio, it's a fantastic workhorse. For a pro studio, it's another great weapon to have in the arsenal.

It does what it needs to do. I find it consistently good on a wide variety of singers over any mic. Is it the BEST for their voice? Nope, probably not. But it does consistently beat out many sub $1k mics. Have I used a 4050 in place of an SM7? You bet. How often? Not very...

And if it's a really low budget project...you bet I'm gonna throw up that SM7b and call it a day

[VicD]

All the sudden we go from SM7 to politics tutt Shame on you Mr. Joly!

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

Its just a frigg'n dynamic mic that happens to sound less bad than many dynamic mics. Put an SM7 up against a Beyer M160 or Oktava ML-19 (both directional ribbons - if you need a unidirectional pattern) to hear how the natural frequency response and fast transient response of a ribbon mic makes the SM7 sound like it belongs on a conservative AM talk radio show.

Full disclosure - I own the SM7, RE18, RE20, RE50, 545, SM57 some Oktava dynamics and the ML-19 and some other dynamics I'm forgetting about. I don't sell or offer mods for any of them.

[michj]

the sm7 sounds better than ny vintage u87 for my voice

[Michael_Joly]

Originally Posted by VicD

All the sudden we go from SM7 to politics tutt Shame on you Mr. Joly!

Politics? Oh, the right wing AM radio reference? Just searching for another metaphor to describe the SM7.

[guitarboy94]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

Politics? Oh, the right wing AM radio reference? Just searching for another metaphor to describe the SM7.

Funny....

[Svenarne]

Originally Posted by guitarboy94

Funny....

Way to revive an ancient love/hate SM7 thread!

[guitarboy94]

Thanks!

[Svenarne]

Just so you know, the SM7B is totally going out of GS fashion!

The Beyerdynamic M88 is the new king of dynamics!

You heard it here first...

[guitarboy94]

Originally Posted by Svenarne

Just so you know, the SM7B is totally going out of GS fashion!

The Beyerdynamic M88 is the new king of dynamics!

You heard it here first...

Funny thing, I just ordered an M88 last week. Can't wait to compare it against my SM7b!

[Sir Chris]

"Just imagine an SM7b rumagin around the bin raping 1 mic at a time".

The greatest line I've ever read on GS. I still make audible laughs when it randomly pops in my head from time to time.

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