Shure MV7 or Shure SM7B? What's the best Podcast microphone in 2023?

[@WhatchaGot2Say]

MV7 seems to be the way to go. It sounds about the same as SM7B, it’s more cost efficient, and has more options. On top of that you don’t need a cloud filter to make it sound the way it should. Yeah it’s better.

[@scottmckenna]

It's probably better for most people depending on what you're looking to do with it.

[@reymondlopez7468]

Be careful. I thought so too. But they cut costs by using a Micro USB port instead of USB C. Had 2 mics and that micro usb connection failed both times.

[@VM-oi3dk]

Try to speak right up to the mv7 and compare to the SM7b. The SM7b doesn’t sound as distorted

[@peteysurber3760]

@@reymondlopez7468 The MV7+ is another $30 but does have USB-C. Hoping the port doesn't fail as easily.

[@joshua_the_creative]

The MV7 sounds great actully!

[@TerrinhaVerde]

I have the same opinion. Not sure if he used the same interface for the MV7 via XLR.

[@TerrinhaVerde]

Hi there. To be honest, for your testing, I like more your voice from the MV7.

[@akcesoriumpc6421]

shure mv7x + windscreen from sm7b and steelseries sonar app where you can eq on the fly with noise gate and compressor for less than 200$ is only way to go. It can be eq pretty closely to sm7b and i dont need to touch post process at all.

[@momswhopodcast]

This was soooo incredibly helpful - thank you SOOOO much!!! Cannot wait to get the MV7 but already looking for SM7B for the future! 🥳

[@scottmckenna]

Glad it was valuable for you. Thanks for the kind comment. Enjoy your microphone. Both are great choices.

[@MillieCvjetkovic]

After watching a million videos this is the one that helped me decide the best mic for me, thanks Scott!!!

[@scottmckenna]

Which one did you choose?

[@benjamin.kelley]

Glad to see you back Scott.

[@scottmckenna]

Thanks for watching.

[@InstituteforFunctionalNurses]

AWESOME VALUE video!! I've spent hours trying to figure this out and you told me in minuets. Awesome! Thank you, friend!

[@scottmckenna]

So glad it was what you were looking for. Which mic did you decide on for your needs and why?

[@FairyKid64]

I'm leaning towards the SM7dB since I'll also be doing music recording, but I really couldn't hear a difference in most of the A B testing you were doing here... 😅

[@scottmckenna]

Good choice.

[@E3KGaming]

forgot the podcast links btw

[@Raisen07]

Mv7 suena muy bien, me gusta el cuerpo que la da a tu voz el sm7b hace un sonido mas natural

[@ComicPierre]

Great review. I have a MV7 and been thinking I made a mistake because I don't really see the MV7 on podcasts but my show is out of my home and after watching this I believe for an entrance point mic I made the right decision, but I do have a P4 Track (because I do want to travel and interview people) but I'm tore do I use the P4 when I'm home solo?

[@adamj2683]

You made the right decision. Humans imitate other humans, so that helps explain why the SM7B is so popular. It's a great microphone and people saw it on big podcasts and copied it, and others saw that and copied it, and so on. There are many other great microphones than the SM7B, including the MV7 which is phenomenal and virtually the same microphone. Be happy with your decision. You made a great one!

[@ComicPierre]

@@adamj2683 yeah I added a new replacement foam windscreen> Again keep up the great work

[@scottmckenna]

There’s not a perfect mic for everyone. While I do think the sm7b is a far superior overall mic, the MV7 is a great microphone still.

[@BleepingWorld]

it would have been better if you set the capsules at the same distance. In your test the sm7b capsule is sitting about 2 inches farther back from your mouth. If I'm right then maybe that is what is causing the MV7 Nasally sound?

[@Godzillah]

If u looking for usb Blue Yeti mini is cheaper. The reason I get a sm7b because it’s a rap/rock vocal mic try and true. If u use sm7b with forcusrite interface u don’t need cloudlifter the new interface have improved gain. If u not recording sm7b can be use as a live mic as well.

[@patricklacson]

Which focusrite interface? Without a cloud lifter do you have to be very close to the sm7b? I don't want to be that close. I want to be about 6-8 inches away. Will the focusrite interface allow for that without a hiss? If so, which model focusrite?

[@Godzillah]

@@patricklacson I am using 2i4 scarlet and I have a cloudlifter but u can use without just put max gain but only for the sm7b u can get a fethead cheaper than cloudlifter. 2i4 scarlet act as a sound card the only noise is from the mic and xlr cables.

[@scottabergermd]

Elgato 3 for use with the wave software and streamdeck software!

[@VM-oi3dk]

The SM7b needs a lot more juice. If you don’t have a preamp or a cloud lifter it has more hiss.

[@scottmckenna]

Yes. That's been a known fact for a long time. You need a cloudlifter for it.

[@Positive_Tea]

Thanks for this! I am researching mics for an audio book. Are there any considerations for audio books specifically? Or would a decent podcast/broadcast mic do the exact same job?

[@galinswigart]

Have you messed with the Rode PodMic at all? It's not quite on the level of the SM7B, but it's comparable and has way more juice and doesn't always require a booster like the CloudLifter. I'm really impressed for the cost!

[@scottmckenna]

Yea, not a bad mic either.

[@scottmckenna]

but also not USB either, so still requires more than what you see at the price tag, and once you add an interface and cable, I'd still prefer the MV7 over it.

[@anewk9868]

Radio guy for over 3 decades (& counting lol) & when shure sent me one during their launch of the MV7, I did my own “experiment” doing nationally syndicated shows… I told no one that I was using it for almost a month (I also put the pop filter from the SM7 on it and nobody even knew it lol). I’m spoiled on millions of dollars of equipment but still 😂

[@Rossdink]

Good. What about the new sm7b that has a boost built into it? Does that replace the need for getting a cloud lifter?

[@scottmckenna]

Yes, with the new SM7db, you no longer need a cloudlifter. BUT, you’re basically paying the same price any way. I’m still a bigger fan of the look of the original sm7b because it doesn’t have big Shure branding on the side, but the new db is very nice as well.

[@Deco_2k]

Scott I have a Motu m2 and pretty good ..So I guess I just need good mic

[@getwetsoon]

what else do you use for recording remote ? just the mic and the laptop? and what do you use for your interviewpartner? a seconde shure MV7? great video by the way!!!! just signed up :)

[@scottmckenna]

What do you mean recording remote?

[@getwetsoon]

@@scottmckenna oh I mean when your not in your studio but on the go

[@fionalynnshaw]

totally newbie question, but is there a mixer or other something that would include the features of the cloud lifter and focus rite Scarlett? what is the rode caster pro 2? would that do it? I'm trying to minimize equipment and cables and crowding lots of stuff onto my small space. thanks! great video and explanations of these 2 mics, btw!

[@scottmckenna]

The cloudlifter is a device designed to increase clean gain for the microphone by 26db. No mixer does this, it’s designed to work with the mixer. The rode caster pro 2 is just a mixer designed to record the mics for the podcast. It works well but still would be low gain for the sm7b. But if you use the mv7, it’ll be fine.

[@E3KGaming]

still on the fence after dozens of videos. sm7 by far is better sounding.. also I hear with the app set to "dark mode" the mv7 sounds the same on USB. Plus Shure sells an A to D adapter but that's $150 also, but maybe better quality than the built-ins.

[@scottmckenna]

A true XLR connection will also sound better than digitally via usb, BUT the tradeoff is convenience. The MV7 is easy to use, but no doubt, the SM7b sounds better all day.

[@Shubabz]

Hey Scott, do you know if the IK Multimedia I/O works good as an audio interface with the Shure SM7B?

[@scottmckenna]

They aren’t great pre amps so you’ll hear a lot of noise. If you use a cloudlifter it’ll help.

[@reymondlopez7468]

Calling the MV7 a usb mic is a joke. The micro usb is its Achilles heel. I have had 2 and that peripheral failed both times. The other weakness is the horrible touch controls on the Mv7.

[@gad4977]

Does the shure mv7 have Bluetooth capability or what would be next best affordable Bluetooth option?

[@reymondlopez7468]

It does not have any bluetooth capabilities

[@jaykjellberg5274]

Actually you sound a little biased:)) like you basically didn't like the MV7 for aesthetics. I would say that MV7 being ulta mobile + being able to mimic the SM7B is a go to mic

[@turatnm4627]

Hi scott, if i want to use more than one MV7 is it ok to plug all of them straight in to the computer?

[@scottmckenna]

Yes you can use multiple at once.

[@Adx86]

No wonder everyone now sounds the same :)

[@Paddy_Mac]

Hey Scott, this is a great comparison and breakdown of these two microphones. I think the performance of the Mv7 would be quite improved by placing the mic more to the side of your mouth such as this example (not me) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iampmmqAmp2lp7c

[@scottmckenna]

Agreed. This was more a straight forward review un edited. Most people buying this mic don’t tweak it a ton so I wanted to give an accurate breakdown.

[@shalomshalom4467]

first!!!! Yeeeeahhh

[@aov_james]

Hi Scott! I've been wanting to get decent mic in home studio and I recently picked up Shure SM7B for that versatility. I'm using it for some voice over and the other for covering worship songs. I kind of figured settings(EQ, compressor, etc) for voice over/narration, however I have no clue how to set it up for vocal/singing. I have a reference video kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6queWCprMaHl6s that I want mine to match up to. Since you are a worship leader at church and knows deep down with all the audio matters, I wanted to stop by and ask you for your help.

[@scottmckenna]

The SM7B is an amazing mic that can get you great results. If you don't have a lot of experience though, your reference video won't be super helpful. A lot goes into those types of videos, and a lot behind the scenes that you don't see. You don't know the pre amps they are using, the compressors, the workflow, etc.