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.

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 originally got an SM7b because my girl does a lot of VO work.
Got that and an RE320 (already have an RE20).

The frequency response of the SM7b sounds fairly flat to my ears...
Reminds me of a C414 (albeit without the sensitivity)

Didn't end up liking the SM7b for VO work.
The RE320 captures a lot more presence... and the sound is "radio ready" with zero tweaking.
You'd have to bump the mids if using the SM7b.

Were the SM7b really shines (IMO) is on guitar/bass cab.
On bass cab, the low-mids/bottom are tighter than using a RE20 or RE320.
Nice full round bass tone... with plenty of articulation.
My current favorite bass cab mic...
On guitar cab, you've got a sound with more size than the SM57 (more bottom)... and it's less strident in the mids than a MD421 (which I just don't like on guitar cab).  Again, a nice full balanced tone...

I was initially going to return the SM7b... but once I heard it on bass/guitar cabs, it was a keeper.

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.

testing the thread to see if I can get to page 2

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...

Ryan, thanks. Page 2 access was broken but now working.

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 

Taming the Shure: http://www.recordingmag.com/resources/resourceDetail/330.html
 
This article is about impedance loading of mics.  Required reading for EVERYBODY.

Quote: "Call me a contrarian, but this microphone (sm 57) has never worked for me. The problem is the high end: there are a couple of sharp high-frequency peaks in the response curve that combine with what sounds like intermodulation distortion to produce a sound that’s just too bright, harsh and “wiry” for my tastes. Yes, it’s a sound that “cuts through” a dense mix, or a loud crowd, but it’s not natural, it’s not clean, and it’s not what I want."
 
The rest of the article is about the experiment (science) he performed and results. IMPORTANT for everyone to know.
 
Impedance loading changes the sound every mic. So different preamps/settings will change the sound of every mic.
 
I built a "gizmo" for my SM 57 for the Mackie board.
 
Stamler sent me instructions for a "gizmo" for my C1 to use with a preamp that provides 300 ohm impedance. The mic wants about 1800.

 Very informative. Thanks.
 
Rocky