Can You Tell These Mics Apart? | Shure SM7B vs Rode Procaster vs Beacn Mic

Mics can be pretty expensive, so I'm curious, can you tell difference between a $180, $280, and a $400 microphone? Let me know in the comments below

[@naivety]

Very surprised by how good the Rode Procaster sounded when I was in the market to decide between the SM7B and the Beacn. Might have just saved me a ton of money.

[@JohnDoe-fu4qd]

I have the procaster, the more I use it, the more I love it. I did have to put a high quality pop filter that sits an inch in front of the mid and add a few layers of some mesh on the inside of the tip of the mic to still get the highs and stop the pop. Foam pop filters stiffle the crispness

[@x_SHAD0W]

I found the below A: A little muddy B: Nice bass but lots of range and detail C: A little noisy and thin

[@tadeuszjaniszewski8392]

Since I use both PROCASTER and SM7B, I easily recognized the A and B samples. My favorite is A, which is PROCASTER, although the sound of these microphones is very similar. Interestingly, in the case of the PROCASTER you can hear a bit more treble than in the SM7B, and the declarations of the producers indicate something opposite, because RODE gives a bandwidth of up to 18 kHz and SHURE up to 20 kHz. Although these differences are not large. Bigger differences could appear if we used the HPF and MID BOOST filters that are built into the SM7B. PROCAST doesn't have them. My choice is A or PROCASTER, but you can also squeeze a lot out of the SM7B. The advantages of the SM7B include built-in, switchable filters, a greater distance between the capsule and the front of the microphone, which theoretically should reduce the POP effect, but unfortunately it is not always the case (for this SHURE provides a second sponge A7WS in the set). In addition, the SM7B has its own "mouse" mounting bracket and the cable leading upwards makes the whole structure more compact and neat, i.e. it takes up a little less space in front of the presenter. The PROCASTER, on the other hand, is almost half the price, but has no built-in filters (HPF and MID BOOST) and the microphone itself is slightly larger than the SM7B. It has a built-in POP FILTER, but it is not always sufficient (depends on the speaker) so it is worth buying a WS2 sponge. The factory set includes only a rigid microphone mounting bracket and the XLR output socket is located on the back of the microphone. If we want to ensure more flexible handling of the microphone and increase resistance to any manipulations, we should also buy a dedicated basket ("spider") RODE PSM1, but you can also use another, cheaper solution for microphones with a diameter of 50mm.

[@StreamGearTalk]

Well damn. This is an excellent break down thank you for sharing!!

[@ZeilLibertas]

This was a really interesting experiment. I just bought the Beacn just recently but haven't really had a chance to really use it and put it through it's paces (received it only days ago). After listening to the samples you gave, my ears thought "C" was the best sounding as it provided a great full range and even sound. Not too bassy and not too treblely (are those words?). Lo and behold, it was the Beacn. My purchase is completely justified now. Thanks!

[@joseluisruiz3789]

This was a great review and test! I wasn't surprised that i immediately noticed A was the Procaster but was very supportive that i liked C more then i liked B. I feel that the SM7B can sound great with more Equalization. Since i use a RCP2 i wouldnt be able to use the USB mic. My other choice so far after watching mnay videos is the Electro Voice RE20 mic. Its like a SM7B vs RE20 choice lol

[@MeticulousTechTV]

Great comparison!

[@shortanimationz]

I thought Mic A was the SM7B, so I was very surprised. It sounded very robust and rich on the low ends. I did think the Beacn was Mic C because there was a certain "compression" like sound to it, it just sounded more processed than the rest. Very close though!

[@StreamGearTalk]

That’s pretty close!! Yea the procaster is a great mic and agreed it’s very rich! BEACN does have that compression but it’s probabalt something I could work out with proper eq.

[@areffarsi1199]

I think this was a good approach, for making a decision between these mics,

[@ItisGary]

Tbh it was very easy to tell due to the clarity and noise, but i think each mic has its own charm

[@DesolatePsyche]

Thought A and C sounded best. A being a bit bassy B being a bit "ss'y" C maybe a bit compressed. But in the ended liked how A and C sounded the most. Ended up ordering Beacn as well. Especially because of built in Real-Time Noise Suppression, cuz not rolling nvidia anyways. and other software tools that are already built in. And love the led mute indicator that's easy to see. (plus might get mix later)

[@splinesen]

When comparing the microphones using Ananda SM headphones, I found that Mic B (Shure SM7B) sounded the best, followed by Mic A, and Mic C was the worst. Surprisingly, my ranking was contrary to the price hierarchy. Despite Mic C (Beacn) being more expensive than Mic A (Rode), I had anticipated a better performance from the Beacn Mic. I understand now that the higher cost of the Beacn Mic is due to its built-in headphone amp and accompanying software, offering an all-in-one package. However, considering its audio quality, I find it disappointing for the price. This experience has made me hesitant to purchase it, despite having considered it for several months. Thank you for the comparison. It has helped me decide which microphone to choose.

[@StreamGearTalk]

Glad I was able to help!!

[@FutureRideshareMillionaire]

The depth in A was really nice but the range of B was great. For my voice, Im looking for something that brings out depth, so I might get the Rodecaster

[@StreamGearTalk]

Yea the rode procaster is such a great mic that I feel not enough people talk about

[@powerrpackgaming]

Do you think you can share your beacn eq settings? I have the beacn mic. I known that every person is different but I just want an eq I can build off of

[@reaper5242]

B was the best , A and C were still good, A maybe a bit better than C. But no doubt B was the SM7B

[@asesuvartotojas]

Guessed correctly C, it was worst. A and B sounded great and similar. Procaster surely best value here.

[@barneyjack]

NICE!!

[@lwinaus8810]

To my ears, A sounded the richest. Band C were pretty well balanced. BUT every voice is different and you have to get the best mic for YOUR voice.

[@ImSoShi]

i have no idea which one was which but i liked the first one better. The other two sound slightly muffled

[@znbh]

i guessed mic C correctly, but not the other two. i own mic A but still thought it sounded like mic B! i guess that's a testament to how well it performs given the right circumstances :O

[@SKYZONEGAMING]

very interesting video.

[@ubesaaa]

The Rode Podcaster surprised me, it sounded great. I picked the SM7B as my #1, Podcaster #2 and BEACN #3. I didn't enjoy clip C too much to be honest.

[@whatimsaiyan]

I guessed all 3 correctly during the blind test. My thoughts and my opinions: Rode: They tend to have a little bit more of a "punch" to their mics, which is why they're used a lot for "broadcasting" sound for voice specifically. Beacn: This one is new to me, but when I heard it for the first time, it sounded smooth and you can hear the compression it has. I'm sure a lot would compare it to the sm7b simply because of the look and I honestly believe it has some kind of "placebo" effect simply because yeah, instantly people are going to think sm7b when it comes to the look so it's hard to fight that IF you're familiar with the sm7b. Shure: There is a reason why this one is legendary. This is definitely going to sound biased, but there are reasons why broadcasters, voice over artists, musicians (I have experience with vocals and guitar specifically), use this mic. The dynamic range you get out of this mic plus using a traditional XLR connector, plus whatever manual setting you put on it, plus lol...anything else you add onto it.. it's VERY flexible with whatever frequencies you're trying to work with. And here's the big one for me... as long as you have clean power (cloud lifter or a good audio interface that can provide what the sm7b needs), it does REALLY well and shines with gain. They're all very subtle with their differences, but at the end of the day... it's all based on preference, use cases, and opinions on sound. So, there really is no right or wrong answer. If there is anything we can conclude though.. you DO get what you pay for with these fantastic microphones. Also, know the difference between dynamic mics vs condenser mics and how they work with frequencies and use cases. Great video and experiment!

[@StreamGearTalk]

Excellent input. Thanks for sharing! Are you a musician? Got music for the masses to listen to, drop a link!

[@ImNotTodayX]

What settings do you use on wave link for ur sm7b

[@sasca854]

I guessed C correctly but not the other two. The BEACN sounded like crap. It has a very processed, almost low bitrate-esque hissiness to it.

[@petermuller3]

Great Video. No surprises for me. I actually guessed them all correct. I'll stay with my trusty ProCaster. I love this mic. The SM7B is a bit less bass heavy and more for the middles, one might say a more balanced mic. The Beacn disappointed me big time. Very artificial sound, for me. You can actually hear the software working on the sound. Not a fan. Again, great work and video. Thanks a lot.

[@StreamGearTalk]

Thanks. Oddly enough I’ve heard plenty of of here folks using the BEACN mic that sounds great. But yea you could definitely hear the software working the audio. It sounded weird

[@ChaptersofTriumph]

In this one I thought Rode sounded better then beacn then shure. However, in other videos I've preferred beacn so I guess that comes down to how they are set up. I've never preferred shure when I do listening tests. I've gotten myself a beacn as I think it will be easiest to set up as I don't wanna get super bogged down in sound engineering haha

[@Neisnice]

i thought that clip c is the shure because it soundet the best for me so i think the beacn is very impresive and its usb

[@johnpapalonishow]

I heard very little difference between A and B which happens to be the Procaster & SM7B, for C the sound quality was good but found that it was inconsistent and fluctuated a bit more.

[@l2arcl]

really? i thought b and c sounded very similar personally but i also thought a was the beacn, i dont know too much about microphones so im trying to find one that would be great for a first microphone

[@StreamGearTalk]

What’s your budget and what do you want out of your mic?

[@l2arcl]

@@StreamGearTalk honestly, my budget is under $500 and I was looking at the beacn but idk what the best would be and I thought it was a good middle spot and it’s a usb mic so I didn’t have to truly get anything else

[@johnpapalonishow]

@@l2arcl I have both the Procaster and the Shure SM7B My view is if you are going to only do online virtual podcast recordings you may not need a Non USB mic, consider the Shure M7V (USB) mic as it’s really good and not that expensive. If you will have in person recordings then either SM7B or Procaster would be great (if you are mobile I prefer the Procaster, as the sm7b has too many screws and I stripped one of mine) if you setup a studio that you don’t take down then the sm7b is great

[@l2arcl]

@@johnpapalonishow I’m mainly gonna be doing gaming/streaming tbh and my gaming area is fairly small because of my monitors, my mkb, and my controller, thoughts on what I should get? Its so my teammates can hear me crystal clearly and stream can aswell

[@528HzCreativeFrequency-uq5vd]

Mic a and b very similar very good, mic c - digital fluctuations. For me mic c in no go.

[@CLEEISMAD]

i own the sm7b. I thought it was A and that that ProCaster was B. I might have to switch now.

[@zaiite7051]

1) Procaster 2) Beacn 3) SM

[@heyabso]

At 1:54, before getting to the results, I'd rank them B, A, C... Shure, Beacn, Rode? Mic A sounded good except there was a weird digital noise on "shoes". Mic B just sounded good. And Mic C wasn't bad, it just wasn't as good as the other two.

[@heyabso]

I flipped A and C. Knowing the Beacn is USB, I thought that could've accounted for the digital weirdness on "shoe". Relative to where it sits on price, I expected more from the Beacn but considering you can run it without additional equipment and tune it even further, it's an intriguing option. Great video!

[@chibisven]

I listened on triple driver IEMs and could easy hear the differences. A had a pretty gross artificially hyped low, B was very flat full range signal, and C was shaped/hyped but in a way that's pretty conducive to streaming/youtube/etc. Very different mics for different use cases, I'll probably be getting a Beacn soon for my day job where I frequently give presentations to large groups over Zoom. And one day I'll definitely be adding the SM7b to the mic locker for more pro-audio / music applications.

[@GentlemanGaming1122]

First comment. Hey GNR Frank! 18/1/2023 Good to see you uploading more content! And as always I'm looking forward to you livestreaming some gaming content again to that's if I am up at the time or have time at the times you stream your games. Of course whenever you have some downtime to, that's just the content I miss the most from you and it's just something you should get back to here in the new year sometime. Of course if you are feeling up to it as livestreaming takes a lot of time to prepare for before you livestream. And my gaming content? just looking forward to finishing and completing Uncharted 4 for the first time, I only got 4 more missions to complete and that's me finished and moving onto another action packed game onto my next walkthrough. It's going to be the COD MW2 campaign (the 2022 new remake of COD MW2 just to save the confusion with the old COD MW2 back in the day you may think of) Take care and looking forward to your reply! just missed hanging out with you that's all I hope you had a good Christmas and New Years Eve and have been keeping well.

[@zaiite7051]

😂

[@GentlemanGaming1122]

@@zaiite7051 What's funny?

[@StreamGearTalk]

GG!! Good to hear from you! I’m streaming on twitch now days. You should come hang out I usually stream Mondays Thursday’s and saturdays! Twitch.tv/gnr_frank How much more uncharted 4 have you got left?

[@realemcy]

A: Beacn Mic, B: SM7B, C: Rode Procaster

[@Elias-yg6gb]

This probably won’t matter but I plan on making rap battle videos on discord. Which dynamic would you prefer I get if my needs are simply capturing my voice easy, clear while I shout my entire soul into it? 😂 Also great video man!

[@batmaaaan58]

1)B 2)A 3)C imo

[@christianhohl7697]

Nice, I got all right (I own a Procaster) I would rate: Procaster 9/10 SM7b 8/10 Beacn 6/10

[@coprilettodelnapoli5466]

What is 10/10 for you?

[@Roqfort]

Rode Procaster sounds best for me.

[@thejumpmain]

rode procastor sounds noticeable better than both.

[@satan8175]

is it just me or do they all sound pretty bad for the price youre paying

[@SimplySketchyGT]

We’re likely suffering from the fact that KZbin only has 320kbps audio, the DAC on your device and the headphones / speakers we’re using. Personally I found the ProCaster to have a warm sound though a little muffled while the SM7B while excellent was too bright and picked up some ticks.

[@Machiahc]

Ppl need to stop doing these blind mic vids and just show us the difference holy shit

[@StreamGearTalk]

Craig sounds like you need a hug.

[@Machiahc]

@@StreamGearTalk I will not stand for this transgression! ☝🤓

[@StreamGearTalk]

Understood. Is sitting for this transgression a fair compromise?

[@Machiahc]

@@StreamGearTalk 🐟