Time for a Shure SM7b?

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Rimshot
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2017/11/20 19:17:49 (permalink)

Time for a Shure SM7b?

I have a limited quantity of microphones in my studio.
For lead vocals, I have used:
AT-4040 Condenser
SM57
SM58
 
For my voice, the SM57 with some EQ and compression sounds the best. 
 
I am now interested in the Shure SM7b based on what I have read and YouTube videos.
 
In general, it has a low output and in reading and hearing comparisons between the SM57 and SM7b, the SM7b is flatter w/o a peak around 4K or so. 
 
Can anyone let me know if you think this a good mic choice for a dynamic? 
 
I don't get along with the condensers because of room noise and they make my voice sound to thin. 
 
Thanks much.
 

Rimshot 

Sonar Platinum 64 (Lifer), Studio One V3.5, Notion 6, Steinberg UR44, Zoom R24, Purrrfect Audio Pro Studio DAW (Case: Silent Mid Tower, Power Supply: 600w quiet, Haswell CPU: i7 4790k @ 4.4GHz (8 threads), RAM: 16GB DDR3/1600 
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15 Replies Related Threads

    DeeringAmps
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/20 21:52:43 (permalink)
    I'm a "sucker" for vocal mics, so I have way too many!
    You want to borrow my 7 let me know.
    The '57 is my favorite live, use the '7 some in the studio; using a TLM 103 at the moment.
    (but that won't last)
    T

    Tom Deering
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    #2
    Rimshot
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/20 21:56:40 (permalink)
    Tom, did you ever like the 7 on vocals? Is it that much better for vocals than a 57?


    Rimshot 

    Sonar Platinum 64 (Lifer), Studio One V3.5, Notion 6, Steinberg UR44, Zoom R24, Purrrfect Audio Pro Studio DAW (Case: Silent Mid Tower, Power Supply: 600w quiet, Haswell CPU: i7 4790k @ 4.4GHz (8 threads), RAM: 16GB DDR3/1600 
    , OS drive: 1TB HD, Audio drive: 1TB HD), Windows 10 x64 Anniversary, Equator D5 monitors, Faderport, FP8, Akai MPK261
    #3
    Jim Roseberry
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/20 22:29:04 (permalink)
    Based on what you describe, I'd be surprised if you didn't like the SM7b.
    Captures more bottom/top than a 57.
    Great rejection of room/noise
    Also nice for guitar/bass cab
     

    Best Regards,

    Jim Roseberry
    jim@studiocat.com
    www.studiocat.com
    #4
    Rimshot
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/20 22:34:33 (permalink)
    Hey Jim! Thanks for that! 
    I read that it takes a lot of preamp to get the signal up and I really don't want to purchase that signal booster thingy yet. Do you think it would still be usable with a professional board w/o a preamp or booster?
     
    Thanks. 
    Jim 

    Rimshot 

    Sonar Platinum 64 (Lifer), Studio One V3.5, Notion 6, Steinberg UR44, Zoom R24, Purrrfect Audio Pro Studio DAW (Case: Silent Mid Tower, Power Supply: 600w quiet, Haswell CPU: i7 4790k @ 4.4GHz (8 threads), RAM: 16GB DDR3/1600 
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    #5
    Jim Roseberry
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/21 13:46:53 (permalink)
    Hi Jim,
     
    If the mic pre-amp on the board has 60dB of gain, you should be ok.
     

    Best Regards,

    Jim Roseberry
    jim@studiocat.com
    www.studiocat.com
    #6
    Rimshot
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/21 15:55:27 (permalink)
    Great! I am looking at the Presonus Series III and it does have 60db of gain. Looks like I picked out the mic for my Christmas present!
     
    Thanks. 
     

    Rimshot 

    Sonar Platinum 64 (Lifer), Studio One V3.5, Notion 6, Steinberg UR44, Zoom R24, Purrrfect Audio Pro Studio DAW (Case: Silent Mid Tower, Power Supply: 600w quiet, Haswell CPU: i7 4790k @ 4.4GHz (8 threads), RAM: 16GB DDR3/1600 
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    #7
    listen
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/22 18:48:28 (permalink)
    SM 7b you won't go wrong - it is a good vocal mic...

    - Listen -
    FOH Mixer & Recording Studio Manager
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    #8
    davdud101
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/24 16:51:36 (permalink)
    I've never used one but in ALL shootouts, tests, unboxings and recordings I've heard it, the mic sounds glorious.
     
    Take that with a grain of salt - meant more to be some SM7b praise than anything else xP

     
    Mics: MXL 990, MXL R80, 2 x MXL Tempo XLRs, Cobalt Co9, SM48, iSK Starlight
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    #9
    DeeringAmps
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/24 17:12:29 (permalink)
    Never have had any gain issues with the Tascam 1884 or the UFX.
    I've used the 7 on vocals more than once, just prefer the 103 at the moment (subject to change).
    My voice never sounds the same on "tape" as it does in my head (but isn't that universal?).
    Offer still stands, if you want to "demo" a 7, I'll send it to you.
    Cost you a few bucks to return it via Priority Mail, but might be worth it.
    Wish I could find an AEA R44 to demo...
     
    T

    Tom Deering
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    #10
    Rimshot
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/28 20:43:54 (permalink)
    Hey Tom. Thanks again for your offer. I bought one yesterday from Sweetwater. 
    Was looking long and hard for a deal somewhere but couldn't find one. Paid $399.
    I figure this may be the best option for my voice and maybe I will be done with mic purchases for a long time now. 
     
    All the best. 
     
    Rimshot

    Rimshot 

    Sonar Platinum 64 (Lifer), Studio One V3.5, Notion 6, Steinberg UR44, Zoom R24, Purrrfect Audio Pro Studio DAW (Case: Silent Mid Tower, Power Supply: 600w quiet, Haswell CPU: i7 4790k @ 4.4GHz (8 threads), RAM: 16GB DDR3/1600 
    , OS drive: 1TB HD, Audio drive: 1TB HD), Windows 10 x64 Anniversary, Equator D5 monitors, Faderport, FP8, Akai MPK261
    #11
    DeeringAmps
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/28 20:49:21 (permalink)
    "maybe I will be done with mic purchases for a long time now"
    Good luck with that!
    I'm shure you'll be happy with it.
    Enjoy
     
    T

    Tom Deering
    Tascam FW-1884 User Resources Page
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    #12
    djwayne
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/30 11:37:17 (permalink)
    I bought a Cloud Lifter pre amp for my SM7b and it worked perfectly.
    #13
    DeeringAmps
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/11/30 17:00:58 (permalink)
    Bought the"lifter", never needed it with the RME or the assorted pres I have.
    T

    Tom Deering
    Tascam FW-1884 User Resources Page
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    #14
    mixmkr
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/12/01 22:56:06 (permalink)
    sooo??

    some tunes: --->        www.masonharwoodproject.bandcamp.com 
    StudioCat i7 4770k 3.5gHz, 16 RAM,  Sonar Platinum, CD Arch 5.2, Steinberg UR-44
    videos--->https://www.youtube.com/user/mixmkr
     
    #15
    jpetersen
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    Re: Time for a Shure SM7b? 2017/12/03 00:07:30 (permalink)
    I have the SM7b (and TLM-103, Rode and Gefell LDCs) and find the SM7b best in the real-world rehearsal rooms I record local bands in.
     
    As others have said, the LDCs pick up too much room sound. With the switches on the SM7b set to flat, it comes close enough (there isn't much vocal audio energy in the area after the 12-14k or so where it rolls off anyway)
     
    My Presonus' pres are lo-noise and have the gain needed altho I've moved on to a Tascam 2x2
    I used to use an old Edirol UA-25EX and even that was great on even softer female vocals.
     
    #16
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