mike_mccue


I'd like to point out that it's fairly impossible for a moving coil dynamic mic to have a grainy top end.

You'd first have to define "grainy".


The area around 8-12 kHz in the published freq response chart of the SM7 looks anything other than smooth. I suppose this kind of high-freq behaviour could be described as grainy.


Sven

I bought a SM7B a few months ago and it's quickly become my favorite vocal mic. Excellent side/rear noise rejection, low sibilance. And, as others have mentioned, it needs a preamp with some gain, but most preamps should do the job without a problem. Oh, and yeah, the vocalist needs to be right on top of it.

This thread should be okay now. Looks like the forum script for SEO that converts the long thread URL (like this: http://forum.cakewalk.com/Thoughts-on-the-shure-sm7-m2837261-p2.aspx) to a shorter url (like this: http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2837261 ) got confused after it hit the first "m7".
 
I updated the subject from "Thoughts on the shure sm7" to "Thoughts on the shure sm 7" and it looks like it fixed it.
 
I'll notify the forum dev. Good work breaking this on the first day ;)
 
Back on topic...

Middleman

mike_mccue


I'd like to point out that it's fairly impossible for a moving coil dynamic mic to have a grainy top end.

When you hear that grain you are listening to the character of the preamp.

best regards,
mike

Well, no. I was using a Neve Portico 5012 and there is no grain in this preamp because it's smooth as silk with a Neumann TLM49 and other mics I have. Not that this can't be the cause but simply not the case in this instance.

 
 
Yes, I should have said:  "When you hear that grain you are listening to the character of the impedance relationship between the preamp and the mic".
 
The mention of the Portico 5012 highlights a pertinent point. I own two 5012 units that I use often. I've poked around inside them quite a bit and I have corresponded extensively with some of the engineers at RND.
 
You probably already know that the input on the 5012 is a servo balanced I.C. chip runing in Class A.
 
The microphone signal doesn't see the transformer until after it is buffered by the active, servo balanced amplifier chip. RND explains why they designed their preamp in such a unique way on their website. In a nutshell, Mr Neve wanted to use a very high impedance input to extend the frequency response.  He stuck a chip and circuit in there that is rated at 10kOhms.
 
If you recall I wrote above that you will never get a moving coil dynamic mic to seem sparkly yet silky smooth if you hook it up to a chip that was made for battery powered portable transistor radios.
 
Here's what I was explaining earlier:
 
"The transformer coupling is the key... and it has to be the right transformer... just looking at the impedance spec isn't enough. 

The transformer has to actually have have an impedance curve, (a.k.a. frequency response) that encourages the mic to sound open, silky, and smooth.

It's the exact opposite characteristic than you will find in a modern IC based, servo coupled, "flat" frequency response design and it's not quite what you find in today's premium transformer coupled boutique gear either."
 
 
 
I also own one of the Ampex preamps that I have explained is a fantastic match for a moving coil dynamic mic.
 
I paid full price for the 2 Neve Portico 5012 boxes while the Ampex, and the plug in transfomers I use with it, was gifted to me by a mentor who thought I could learn something valuable by using it.
 
I'm not trying to dog on the Porticos... I like them enough to have purchased them.
 
Like I say, I think you have to hear it to believe it... I don't expect anyone to believe me, but I do hope a few folks will go find out for themselves.
 
I'm just passing on an idea that a effective mentor passed on to me. :-)
 
When I learned it... I found that it really helped me appreciate the impact of impedance relationships.
 
 
 
all the best,
mike
 
 
 
edit spelling 

 Very informative. Thanks.
 
Rocky

Saw a video (think by Ronan) where he used an SM7b while recording a vocal, but the thing was the singer was not useing headphones he was listening to monitor speakers pointing in his direction.  The SM7b picked up very little of the monitor sound. I tried this out and it's crazy but you could actually use this approach in certain situations.  I also found I needed a cloudlifter for it..