shure sm7 or sm7b?

[faeflora]

I'm going to pick um a shure sm7 or sm7b because I've heard a lot of praise for it, and it's pretty cheap.

Is there any tonal difference between the sm7 and sm7b, and if so, what are those differences?

Thanks!

FF

[Teacher]

there's not supposed to be...but i think the sm7b's output is higher then the old school sm7

with that said i got a Sm7 pretty cool mic its just very gain hungry...wit clean gain its the cats meow very easy to make it sit in a mix when used on vocals but does need eq

[dtobocman]

Originally posted by Teacher
there's not supposed to be...but i think the sm7b's output is higher then the old school sm7

with that said i got a Sm7 pretty cool mic its just very gain hungry...wit clean gain its the cats meow very easy to make it sit in a mix when used on vocals but does need eq

Actually, the 2 upgrades from the origianl SM7 have been...
1) the mounting bracket was improved
2) a humbucking coil was added to reduce noise from computer monitors

I don't know which of the two features separates the SM7 from the SM7b, but the b is what I have and it's great. The output is still about 10-20db lower than any non-ribbon mic I've ever encountered. It's about as low output as a ribbon, in fact.

Sounds awesome through my cleanest preamp (Summit TPA-200B), but has a problem with noisy, cheapo preamps (I tried it through a ProSonus Firestation once and the hiss was as loud as the vocal; the Firestation was passable with a 414TLII).

[faeflora]

Originally posted by dtobocman
Actually, the 2 upgrades from the origianl SM7 have been...
1) the mounting bracket was improved
2) a humbucking coil was added to reduce noise from computer monitors

I don't know which of the two features separates the SM7 from the SM7b, but the b is what I have and it's great. The output is still about 10-20db lower than any non-ribbon mic I've ever encountered. It's about as low output as a ribbon, in fact.

Yah I'm wondering if this humbucker coil you speak of affects the tone.

[tommyd]

Lots of talk about the SM7 .x , I definitely want to get my hands on one to try out.
I've got a friend in Nashville that uses SM7's for tom mics, calls em his secret weapon. He gets some pretty monster drum sounds happening. Anyone else used them for this application?
Tommy

[Jules]

It was the defacto tom mic where I interned...back in 82' also got used on inside Kick / Bass cab / gtr cab & vocals from time to time as well..



I gotta get me one too!

[e-cue]

Originally posted by faeflora
I'm going to pick um a shure sm7 or sm7b because I've heard a lot of praise for it, and it's pretty cheap.

Is there any tonal difference between the sm7 and sm7b, and if so, what are those differences?

Thanks!

FF

The B version has a greater output and in my A/B's, it also had a lower noise floor. The tone was similar between the SM7/SM7a but the B version had a more open low end on guitar cab and was much cleaner sounding. The B version is the way to go IMO.

[Sir Bob]

Where can you get any of the SM 7 versions? Banjo Center doesn't carry them; Fletcher and Atlas don't; is this another "Find them on E-bay"?

I am also having trouble looking for a similar mic: Electro Voice RE20

[Jax]

Bob,

Sweetwater Sound (I don't work for them, etc.) carries the EV- RE20.

Not sure they have the SM7(b or not to b).

[faeflora]

The "lower end" music stores have em. Anyplace that sells shure. Guitar center, Sam Ash, Sweetwater etc.

Thanks for the info e-cue.

[max cooper]

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.

found this at:

http://shure.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/sh...=SM7B+SM7A+SM7

[Paul David]

Here's one for $349.

SM7B

[Punchmo]

Originally posted by faeflora
I'm going to pick um a shure sm7 or sm7b because I've heard a lot of praise for it, and it's pretty cheap.

Is there any tonal difference between the sm7 and sm7b, and if so, what are those differences?

Thanks!

FF

Can't help you with the differences but, I have a sm7b. I equate it to a 58 on steroids. For voice over, I use a re20 or u87. The sm7b can be a great rock/pop vocal mic among other uses. I use the sm7 thru a manley or requisite tube pre for scrax vox tracks. Sometimes these are keepers and that is mostly determined by the attitude and performance of the singer...not the sound to tape. Sometimes it is THE mic for the vocalist.