Why is my Sm7b quieter then my sm57?

gamrecords · 26th January 2005

Is this normal or do I have a faulty SM7? I'm running the SM7 and the 57 thru the same pre amp, using the same mic cable, and the SM7 needs a lot more gain to get to the same level.

Just got my first sm7 on ebay and not sure if this is normal.

gamrecords · 26th January 2005

I guess I found the answer right here,
thanks,

michael

quote:
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Ê
The SM7 (SM7A, SM7B) is a dynamic microphone. A typical dynamic mic has a lower output level than a typical condenser mic. For example, the dynamic SM7 has an output level that is 22 dB (!) less than the condenser KSM27.

When selecting a mic preamp to use with the SM7 for voice-over work, make certain the preamp has a minimum 60 dB of gain. Here's why:

a) With an acoustic input of 84dBSPL (typical speech level at 3 inches), the output level of the SM7 is -69dBV.

b) The mic preamp must increase the mic signal level up to about 0dBV (line level).

c) -69dBV of mic signal, increased by +60dB of preamp gain, equals an output level of -9 dBV. Not quite to the 0 dBV level, but close enough to work with most line level inputs.

Many modern mic preamps assume the mic is a condenser mic with a "hot" output level. Therefore, it is common to find mic preamps or mic mixers with gains of 40 to 50 dB. This is not enough gain to bring the SM7 signal up to line level.
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Synth80s · 26th January 2005

I'll need someone else to back me up on this, but I think the SM7B has a higher output than the SM7 to make it compatible with a wider range of pre-amps. Are you certain yours is an SM7B and not an original SM7 or SM7A as I sometimes see them referred to?

-Synth80s

Synth80s · 26th January 2005

Awwww crap! I totally missed this thread just under my nose:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/showt...&threadid=8869

-Synth80s

ron florentine · 26th January 2005

Is there any sonic differences between the original SM7 and the SM7 B......I am going to pick one up soon and dont know wether to but an older model or newer.

Thanks
Ron Florentine
Soundswest studio

Andy Sneap · 26th January 2005

I have both and cannot hear a difference at all.
Theres nothing wrong with your SM7, they are very quiet, but sound great.

HudHudson · 26th January 2005

I've had several outside engineers in my studio pull our SM7 out of the closet and think it's broken when they apply the same gain as they would to an SM57. Maybe the fact that the mic is larger than a 57 suggests to the uninitiated user that it will sound bigger than a smaller mic! But I rarely hear from these people during the session - it's always afterwards, so they miss out on the experience of learning what a new mic might do for their work.

jeronimo · 26th January 2005

My SM7 (I´m not sure what model it is) is the mic with the lowest output on my locker, and also one of the best sounding mic for snare, distorted guitars and some vocals!

jbuntz · 27th January 2005

Same capule as 57, different transformer. Probably traded output for more bandwidth and less distortion.

LeBurne · 27th January 2005

I had the same experience. I thought there must be something wrong with mine cause it had less output than a 57. But I guess that's just how it is. sometimes I turn the gain on my 1073 all the way up to get a nice preamp saturation on a voc track. if I do this with any other mic it sounds like a BigMuff....

lucey · 27th January 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by jeronimo
My SM7 (I´m not sure what model it is) is the mic with the lowest output on my locker, and also one of the best sounding mic for snare, distorted guitars and some vocals!

snare baby, snare!

jeronimo · 27th January 2005

I just looked and my SM7 is the original version... sounds good to me!!!!

shanew · 28th January 2005

Could it be possible that the perceived lower output of the SM7 might be the result of the capsule actually being a good three inches from the end of the internal metal screen?

Any source on an SM57 is going to be considerably closer to the capsule than on an SM7.

Just a thought...

Peace,
sdw

everybody's x · 28th January 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by jbuntz
Same capule as 57, different transformer. Probably traded output for more bandwidth and less distortion.

hmm if that's the case where's the mods? anyone? I'd be willing to turn one my 57's into an sm7

djh76 · 28th February 2010

The SM7B has the same capsule as the SM7. Basically the differences are that the SM7B has an improved hum bucking coil, an improved suspension yoke mounting and it comes with an additional foam wind sock.

The SM7 capsule is different from the SM57 capsule. They are not the same. And the SM7 does not have a transformer whereas the SM57 does. The capsule output is presented directly to the XLR connector on the SM7.

The SM7 is one of the deafest microphones around. You'd be looking at ribbon mics to find something lower in output. A preamp with lots of gain and a low noise floor is a must.

26th January 2005	#1
gamrecords Gear nut Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 112 Thread Starter	Why is my Sm7b quieter then my sm57? Is this normal or do I have a faulty SM7? I'm running the SM7 and the 57 thru the same pre amp, using the same mic cable, and the SM7 needs a lot more gain to get to the same level. Just got my first sm7 on ebay and not sure if this is normal. __________________ ...champagne for my real friends, and real pain for my sham friends... Tom Waits

26th January 2005	#7
HudHudson Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Austin, Texas USofA Posts: 1,671	I've had several outside engineers in my studio pull our SM7 out of the closet and think it's broken when they apply the same gain as they would to an SM57. Maybe the fact that the mic is larger than a 57 suggests to the uninitiated user that it will sound bigger than a smaller mic! But I rarely hear from these people during the session - it's always afterwards, so they miss out on the experience of learning what a new mic might do for their work. __________________ "The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." - Hunter S. Thompson should have said this, but didn't www.yellowdogstudios.com

26th January 2005	#8
jeronimo Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 3,228 1 Review written	My SM7 (I´m not sure what model it is) is the mic with the lowest output on my locker, and also one of the best sounding mic for snare, distorted guitars and some vocals! __________________ Think Diferente! http://www.jeracravo.com

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26th January 2005	#3
Synth80s Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Beautiful Southern California (cough, choke, honk) Posts: 812	I'll need someone else to back me up on this, but I think the SM7B has a higher output than the SM7 to make it compatible with a wider range of pre-amps. Are you certain yours is an SM7B and not an original SM7 or SM7A as I sometimes see them referred to? -Synth80s

26th January 2005	#5
ron florentine Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2003 Location: San Diego,Ca Posts: 806	Is there any sonic differences between the original SM7 and the SM7 B......I am going to pick one up soon and dont know wether to but an older model or newer. Thanks Ron Florentine Soundswest studio

26th January 2005	#6
Andy Sneap Gear nut Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 131	I have both and cannot hear a difference at all. Theres nothing wrong with your SM7, they are very quiet, but sound great.

27th January 2005	#9
jbuntz Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,716	Same capule as 57, different transformer. Probably traded output for more bandwidth and less distortion.

27th January 2005	#10
LeBurne Gear interested Joined: Oct 2004 Location: cologne Posts: 11	I had the same experience. I thought there must be something wrong with mine cause it had less output than a 57. But I guess that's just how it is. sometimes I turn the gain on my 1073 all the way up to get a nice preamp saturation on a voc track. if I do this with any other mic it sounds like a BigMuff....

28th January 2005	#13
shanew Gear nut Joined: May 2003 Location: Nashville,TN Posts: 94	Could it be possible that the perceived lower output of the SM7 might be the result of the capsule actually being a good three inches from the end of the internal metal screen? Any source on an SM57 is going to be considerably closer to the capsule than on an SM7. Just a thought... Peace, sdw

28th February 2010	#15
djh76 Gear interested Joined: Feb 2010 Location: Adelaide Posts: 20	The SM7B has the same capsule as the SM7. Basically the differences are that the SM7B has an improved hum bucking coil, an improved suspension yoke mounting and it comes with an additional foam wind sock. The SM7 capsule is different from the SM57 capsule. They are not the same. And the SM7 does not have a transformer whereas the SM57 does. The capsule output is presented directly to the XLR connector on the SM7. The SM7 is one of the deafest microphones around. You'd be looking at ribbon mics to find something lower in output. A preamp with lots of gain and a low noise floor is a must.