The Shure SM7 is a professional cardioid dynamic microphone, commonly used in broadcasting applications since 1973. Designed by Shure, it has been described as an "iconic" industry standard microphone for its focused, directional sound and its widespread adoption in radio, television and recording studios. In 2007–2008, the SM7B model became popular for professional podcasting.
Development
Shure designed the Unidyne microphone element in 1939, then greatly improved it in 1959, based on research and development by Shure engineer Ernie Seeler. The smaller Unidyne III appeared six years later, designed by Seeler to be the transducer inside the SM series of microphones, including the popular SM56, SM57 and SM58, used live on stage and in the recording studio. "SM" stands for "Studio Microphone".[1]
Adapting the Unidyne III element for increased bass response, Seeler designed the large and heavy SM5 microphone in 1966, intended for broadcasting applications such as for announcers in radio stations and television studios. In 1973, the SM5 was updated and reduced in size to become the SM7, which was widely adopted in radio and TV, but occasionally used in recording studios. Compared to the SM57, the SM7 has a flatter (more neutral) frequency response, but also has two recessed switches for tailoring the response curve. One switch is a high-pass filter to reduce low frequency rumble, and the other is a mid-frequency reduction to attenuate and flatten out the SM7's inherent "presence" peak.[2]
In 1999, the SM7A model appeared with extra shielding against electromagnetic interference (for instance, from television CRTs). In 2001, the SM7B model added a larger windscreen to reduce breathy plosives.[3]
Two decades later, in 2023, Shure added to its product line the SM7dB model with a built-in preamplifier to improve the low output of previous models without the need for an external amplifier.[4] For about $100 USD more, it incorporated circuit design licensed from the popular Cloudlifter external preamp.[5][6][7]
Broadcast
The SM7 is one of three very popular microphones in radio and television stations, used by DJs and voice-over announcers. The other two are the American Electro-Voice RE20 (1968) and the German Sennheiser MD 421 (1960). The Sennheiser and Electro-Voice models are used widely on the concert stage and in recording studios.[8] The EV RE20 was updated to the RE27N/D.[9]
Portrayed on television in the early 1990s, the SM7 was seen in the series about the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska: Northern Exposure with KHBR radio deejay Chris Stevens (John Corbett) providing commentary and narration for each episode. The microphone was used without its windscreen, revealing the extended metal grille protecting the microphone element.[10][11] The typical radio station mounts the microphone in this manner, hanging from a robust boom arm extending out over the workspace.
Music
The wide frequency response of the SM7, and its ability to withstand high sound pressure level (SPL), have led audio engineers to use it in the recording studio, to pick up a variety of sources such as horns, vocals, electric guitar and bass guitar amplifiers, and parts of the drum kit—especially bass drum or "kick".[3] The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger's vocals were recorded in the mid-1970s with two microphones—an SM7 and a condenser microphone—with one or the other chosen during mixdown, or a combination of the two.
Engineer-producer Bruce Swedien used several microphones including the SM7 to record Michael Jackson's vocals for Thriller in 1982. The SM7 was the only vocal microphone on "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)", and was probably used for "Billie Jean", according to Swedien's session notes.[12] Swedien owned six SM7s, and was a big fan of its sound.[3][13]
Podcast
The SM7 was largely unknown outside of professional audio circles until it began to be used for podcasting in the mid-2000s. The early podcasters shared equipment ideas, and the SM7B gained a new audience. The microphone was used for the podcasts of 99% Invisible, The Joe Rogan Experience, My Favorite Murder, WTF with Marc Maron, Snap Judgment, Song Exploder and more. Shure saw a steep increase in sales. In 2014, gamers and streamers began using the SM7B, including Shroud.
The podcast Twenty Thousand Hertz dedicated an episode to the SM7 in May 2021, written by Andrew Anderson, calling it an "iconic" microphone with highly directional sound.[18][19]
Specifications: SM7B
Type: Dynamic (moving coil)
- Frequency response: 50 to 20,000 Hz
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Sensitivity (at 1,000 Hz open circuit voltage): −59 dBV/Pa (1.12 mV)
- Impedance: 150 ohms
- Polarity: Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3
- Connector: Three-pin male XLR
- Switches: Bass-rolloff (high-pass filter) and mid-range boost
- Net weight: 765.4 g[22]
See also
External links
- Shure SM7B official page
- Review of SM7 on Home Brew Audio, with listening examples
References
- History of Shure Incorporated Shure^
- Mike Senior. Recording Secrets for the Small Studio CRC Press, 2014^
- Davida Rochman. SM57 on Steroids: The Shure SM7(B) Story Shure, July 25, 2012, retrieved July 20, 2021^