Shure SM7dB vs. SM7B: Which Mic Reigns Supreme?

Introducing the Shure SM7dB - a dynamic vocal microphone with a built-in preamp that's set to revolutionize your audio game! We dive deep into this game-changing microphone, comparing it with the legendary SM7B, and showcasing why it's the upgrade you didn't know you needed.
🛒 Ready to make the switch? Click the link below to get your own Shure SM7dB and experience the evolution of excellence in audio technology:
geni.us/ShureSM7db
00:00 Introducing The SM7dB!
00:56 Comparing The Shure SM7DB & SM7B design.
01:22 What the Built-in preamp gives you.
05:08 Smooth handling noise and gain.
05:28 Using the SM7B mic with your audio interface.
06:46 RODEcaster Pro different settings demonstrated with screenshots.
🔍 In this video, we break down the key features, performance, and benefits of the SM7dB. No more external preamps and complicated setups - this microphone is designed to streamline your workflow without compromising on quality. We'll show you exactly how to unlock its full potential.
🚀 Upgrade your recording setup and elevate your sound with the Shure SM7dB. It's time to take your audio production to new heights!
👍 Don't forget to hit the like button if you found this video helpful, and subscribe to DealCasters for more in-depth reviews and insights on top-notch audio gear.
Jim Fuhs of Fuhsion Marketing and Chris Stone of Cast Ahead are the founders of Dealcasters: Livestreaming Amazon Live Influencers who interview experts and entrepreneurs while training Amazon customers how to overcome the fear of technology and start and flourish in their content creator journeys!
👤 Connect with Dealcasters: Dealcasters.Contact
🎤 Grab all these great episodes as an audio podcast at: Podcast.Dealcasters.Live
▶️ Catch all the full episodes on replay or live at: dealcasters.live
Dealcasters Gear List Used In Our Videos:
Rodecaster Pro II: amzn.to/3P6uFc1
Shure MV7: MV7.Dealcasters.Live
Shure SM7B: SM7B.Dealcasters.Live
Cloudlifter CL-1: geni.us/cloudlifterX
Shure MV7x: MV7x.Dealcasters.live
Shure SE215 PRO Wired Earbuds: SE215.Dealcasters.Live
Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera: amzn.to/3NI8SGc
Sony Alpha ZV-E10 Mirrorless Camera: amzn.to/3yPtxnX
Sony Alpha ZV-1: amzn.to/3nySz4d
Shure SE425-CL Professional Sound Isolating Earphones: SE425.Dealcasters.Live
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2: amzn.to/3yFdbxO
Universal Audio Apollo Twin Heritage: amzn.to/3RlXfYX
Mogami Gold Studio Cables: amzn.to/3yDsdnY
Sceptre 24" Professional Thin 75Hz 1080p LED Monitor: amzn.to/3yI34IR
✅ Amazon: dealcasters.live
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✅ KZbin: rebrand.ly/DealcasterKZbin
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DISCLAIMER: All opinions are ours. Some links are affiliate links, meaning if you buy something through a qualifying link, we might make a small commission at no additional cost to you. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.
#ShureSM7dB #DynamicMicrophone #AudioUpgrade #DealCasters #AudioTechnology #PodcastingGear #MusicProduction

[@AdrianChristian]

DUDE. This is exactly what I needed! The biggest question I had was about control - could I control how much gain there was according to my Omni interface with Phantom Power, and do I use that Phantom Power at all. If I have options, and if those options are better controlled by either mic.

[@Dealcasters]

Awesome @AdrianChristian ! So glad this helped you! As mentioned in the video, we suggest that when using the preamp'ed SM7DB, that you lower your gain needed in your interface (Omni in this case) as you will not need to use nearly as much gain from the preamp in the interface. It will instead use the Cloud activated preamp in the mic and it will give you a lot more clean gain. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment here!

[@whatsthedirt]

I’m going for it man! I’m biting the bullet and getting the SM7DB. I’ve been looking at mic’s for months now. I was torn between the RE-20 and the SM7B. But this addition with the built in Pre-AMP is a game changer for me

[@whatsthedirt]

Your channel is highly underrated man. Editing is on point along with everything else!

[@Dealcasters]

Really appreciate the kind words!!

[@forbro8301]

Looks like a great option for those who want minimal equipment clutter and ease of use! Since I've already invested in all the extra gear for my Original SM7 (not 7B), I'm gonna hold out on getting this new mic. But it is VERY tempting.

[@Dealcasters]

Good call! The original SM7 is a great one! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment here on the channel!

[@archetypereader]

I wouldn't have thought to activate Phantom Power on my Rodecaster Duo so thank you for the tip. I had just been trying the SM7b without any booster and directly plugged into the RCD, because I had seen that a Cloudlifter wasn't necessary and Røde even claimed it would add noise. But I have a low voice and while the RCD has enough gain, it also picks up more background noise (I move a lot when I speak and hit the table, etc). It's just my luck that I was within the return period of the old one when the new one just came out. But does the built-in preamp in the SM7dB add truly clean gain or does it pick up more noise?

[@Dealcasters]

It’s clean! It’s the Cloud circuit design so the gain is powerful and clean in the SM7db. You can dial down your interface preamp and it lowers the noise. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment here!

[@smallfish6355]

Either the preamp is weird or your compressor settings are pumping and it kinda distracting from the mic audio

[@Dealcasters]

Thanks for the feedback! It took us a while, but we did another video comparing these mics without processing - so hopefully this helps you. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional feedback! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXWYnlqoKxshqcsi=jB7kB9mQeyNMWZWa

[@ClassicalMontessori]

Thank you for the video! What would be your recommended set up for the SM7dB? The mic itself, a stand, and then the rodecaster?

[@Dealcasters]

The mic itself, a boom arm (stand) and an interface for your computer. Not necessarily a Rodecaster Pro, but we do love various interfaces like the Shure MVX2U, Scarlett Focusrite and others we review on this channel! Does this help you?

[@ClassicalMontessori]

@@Dealcastersthank you! SM7dB, boom arm, MVX2U, and XLR cable is what I'd like to get!

[@Dealcasters]

Excellent@@ClassicalMontessori !

[@dagger_4d]

I have the sm7b and I use a Scarlett 2i2 with a cloud lifter, and a gator boom

[@alex.muntean]

Man, the compression pumping was pretty bad, especially on the SM7DB. You should try a comparisson without processing, just normalizing the sound in post.

[@RagTag-N-Bobtail]

Yes. Difficult to compare with the comp kicking in so hard.

[@Dealcasters]

Thanks for the feedback. We'll do another video with the processing off. Appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment here, Alex!

[@Dealcasters]

@@RagTag-N-Bobtail thanks! We'll get another video up soon with the processing off. Thanks!

[@Dealcasters]

Thanks for the feedback! It took us a while, but we did another video comparing these mics without processing - so hopefully this helps you. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional feedback! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXWYnlqoKxshqcsi=jB7kB9mQeyNMWZWa

[@Dealcasters]

@@RagTag-N-Bobtail Thanks for the feedback! It took us a while, but we did another video comparing these mics without processing - so hopefully this helps you. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional feedback! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXWYnlqoKxshqcsi=jB7kB9mQeyNMWZWa

[@spinnerboyz]

According to Rode, a cloudlifter is discouraged to be used with the Rodecaster Pro 2. They claim their preamp to be powerful enough (76db of gain) and adding an inline preamp like the CL1 can introduce unwanted noise. My question is: In your experience trying both with and without the cloudlifter, which option sounds better? Which option has less noise? Thank you!

[@Dealcasters]

Excellent question. We are aware that the RCP2 and some other interfaces we own (New Focusrite Vocaster Series as well) have preamps which have "enough" gain in order for gain-hungry mics like a Shure SM7B to be in line with others. However, using a Cloudlifter CL-1 with an SM7B or activating the preamp in the SM7Db and using the RCP2 has less noise than just plugging them into the RCP2 interface directly and using the onboard preamp settings. To the untrained ear, there may not be much of a difference - but even though the newer RCP2 preamps are better, they still introduce some noise without a Cloudlifter. Examples of this are on our channel with SM7B, SM7DB and Cloudlifter videos. Does this help you? Thanks!

[@blakerayeley]

I have no idea with the tech jargon but it sounds like the sm7db the mic audio keeps dipping. Not sure why that is, every few seconds or so?

[@gandolfred]

*Do I hear that microphones do not produce the same sound?* The old Shure SM7b has more high and medium frequencies. I hear a less deaf and more pronounced sound. If you hear the same thing, write a comment or like.

[@mesmariam9131]

So if youre audio interface has over 60 gain this is kind of pointless right? I'm getting the 2i2 gen 4 or Vocaster and they push 70 gain. Although the jet black color does look better than charcoal grey.

[@Dealcasters]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! Technically, the newer Focusrite interfaces will do provide enough gain to get the SM7B or SM7DB (in bypass mode) loud enough to match everyone - but in our opinion, having a gain booster like a Cloudlifter CL-1 (for the SM7B) or engaging the SM7DB's preamp (which is Cloud activated) will allow for the mic to shine before it relies on the preamps of your interface. I hope this helps you!

[@bennysux]

i dont like how the sm7db sounds like its going in and out, im not sure if its fixable. i dont have one i just want to know if it would be something i could fix if i do get it

[@rafaelmatosdasilva]

noticed the same thing. pretty weird.

[@3D-DOMO]

Its the compression/noise gate settings hes got on, hes got it set wacky haha, Its not the mic dont worry. According to all the research and SHURE themselves it is the EXACT same mic just with the preamp inside. it also has a bypass switch on it which again according to SHURE just makes it a sm7b.

[@rafaelmatosdasilva]

​@@3D-DOMO you are correct about the wacky configurations. However, I'm not entirely convinced that the SM7db has the same sound as the original version. I know people who returned the new version to keep the old one because they didn't sound the same. Every time you use a preamp, it changes the sound. There's no such thing as a colorless preamp. But, I am not sure how much of a difference it makes. I even contacted Shure to get more technical information on the frequency response of both mics, but I received no reply. I asked in multiple places, but nobody is doing any real tests on it. Based on KZbin videos, there do seem to be some audible differences between the two, but it's not a very reliable way of assessing the sound quality. I've owned the original SM7B and I plan on buying the new version, so I've been digging deeper into this topic, because the original has an iconic sound that you don't want to mess with, but all the available information is a bit shady to be honest.

[@3D-DOMO]

@@rafaelmatosdasilva fair enough, I guess I was more referring to shures claim that if you use the bypass mode it theoretically is just a sm7b, although if you’re going to run it like that then what was the point other than I guess you have more options? Idk I’m looking at buying one or the other. I’m wondering if differences heard could be placebo because most videos, granted KZbin compression, they sound the same to me. But if you find the frequency response let me know I’d be curious to see with and without bypass in compared to the 7b

[@rafaelmatosdasilva]

​@@3D-DOMO i agree. I think the main reason for the new version is to use the built-in preamp. Otherwise, you might as well buy the old one plus a FetHead, which is around $100 cheaper than the SM7dB. The new version is more convenient, and that's what I'm after. I've had issues with the FetHead setup: it's bulky, limits your mic stand positions, the connection isn't 100% stable, and introducing more items in your chain increases the probability of interferences and issues. I've had all these issues and even got a dead FetHead after just 6 months. That's why I'm looking for a more integrated solution. Just to clarify, the people I know who returned the new SM7dB are professional studio owners who used the original SM7B for years and tested the mics themselves. They said it sounds different, but it's a very subjective topic. That's why I wish Shure release more data to back up their claims or have someone independent actually do real tests. For marketing porpuses, shure can say whatever they want :).

[@dagger_4d]

So for someone like me with the sm7b and a cloudlifter is this a worthwhile upgrade or should I just stick with my current setup?

[@Dealcasters]

Unless you want a simpler setup, with one less cable - you already have the same great sound capability! Does this help you?

[@dagger_4d]

@@Dealcasters I don’t mind the cables, thanks it does help

[@LukesLewis]

What the best cheap interface for the SM7dB? Thanks

[@Dealcasters]

Not sure what your budget is, but we’re loving the affordable Shure MVX2U and its small (almost minimalist) design kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ-Xh2CueJ14Y80

[@LukesLewis]

@@Dealcasters Thank you! :)

[@Dealcasters]

@@LukesLewis you’re welcome. Thank you for watching and we hope it helped you!

[@seansegel3951]

The SM7B is superior sounding. I’m not convinced that the SM7DB is same device unless you run it head to head through a cloudlifter.

[@Dealcasters]

Cloud designed the preamp in the SM7DB, so it is essentially a cloudllifter. We just did another video that compares the two with the processing off. I hope this helps you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXWYnlqoKxshqcsi=jB7kB9mQeyNMWZWa

[@MusicChannel-rf5zz]

More highs on 7b. Sounds like the 7 db has a little more lows.

[@Dealcasters]

I think you're right! We just did another video with all of the processing off - and you can hear the difference a little better: Thanks for the feedback! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXWYnlqoKxshqcsi=jB7kB9mQeyNMWZWa

[@zDreadful]

Is the wind screen the same as the SM7B? It looks like a slightly different shape?

[@Dealcasters]

It is slightly larger, but it still fits well onto the SM7B and vise versa! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment here!

[@Dealcasters]

Here's a short video showing you the slight differences: kzbin.infov72uovaSa48

[@letmebeyourguide1851]

my god, this gets more complicated by the minute. I do have a sm7b and a motu ultralight mk5 and i was thinking about adding a cloudlifter to the setup. Im a miserable singer (and very shy), so I want to spare you from adding samples to this discussion, but my consumerism is at a peak. Would you: - switch the 7b for a 7db, - add a cl1 - add a clx best regards (also, as mentioned in many other posts, your postprocessing is a bit too much to do an informed decision, no hate, i love the videos, but i was focusing way too much on the "compression pump")

[@Dealcasters]

Hi - thanks for watching and taking the time to comment here. If you already have the SM7B, getting the Cloudlifter CL-1 gives you essentially the same benefits as the SM7DB. The CL-X gives you even more gain, and also does color the sound slightly differently than the CL-1 because it is a transformer-based circuit. The downside of adding the Cloudlifter may only be the additional XLR cable you'll need to add between it and your Motu interface. The SM7Db is a more streamlined setup (one mic, one cable, one interface) and is slightly less expensive than a SM7B+Cloudlifter - but you already have the SM7B. I hope this helps you.

[@crisvis8905]

If you only need to use a single mic there's the Shure MVX2U mini usb interface. 60db of clean gain and made to work with the SM7b. Cheaper than the cloudlifter and portable.

[@letmebeyourguide1851]

Hm, thanks for your answers! i think ill try both cloudlifters and send the one i like less back...

[@Dealcasters]

@@letmebeyourguide1851 that's a great idea! We reccommend people do that all the time with items like these, headphones, etc. Find the one that you like the best with your voice. I hope this helped you!

[@xaliddxalidd6404]

Which one should I buy? I am making English lessons audio lessons

[@mesmariam9131]

Why would you use phantom power on for a dynamic mic? Isnt that for condenser mics only?

[@Dealcasters]

Phantom Power will activate the preamp - it does not pass any power at all into the dynamic microphone. Good question!

[@StrikeStudio]

@@Dealcasters what if i added the Xvive U3 Wireless Microphone ? using the U3C for condenser ? how i should setup the rode podcaster then ?

[@thilogrimm7109]

You have noise gate, compression, etc. engaged, so nobody can honestly get a clue about the actual noise floors from both microphones... and furthermore its been proven, that the cloudlifter adds more noise floor than the R0DE revolution pre-amps of the RCP2 anyways...

[@Dealcasters]

Thanks for watching Thilo and taking the time to comment here on the channel! We plan on doing a video with the processing off - I hope that will help you!

[@Dealcasters]

Thanks for the feedback! It took us a while, but we did another video comparing these mics without processing - so hopefully this helps you. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional feedback! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXWYnlqoKxshqcsi=jB7kB9mQeyNMWZWa

[@lobbdem]

I swear the SM7DB cuts in and out?

[@emfromthechi]

Compression riding on both mics they both sound like that

[@Dealcasters]

@@emfromthechi Thanks for the feedback! It took us a while, but we did another video comparing these mics without processing - so hopefully this helps you. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional feedback! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXWYnlqoKxshqcsi=jB7kB9mQeyNMWZWa

[@WhenWordsFailMusicSpeaks]

If you have the rode caster pro 2 (like he does in the video) there is no need for a cloud lifter, both mics are the same....The DB is 100.00 more though, only difference.

[@Dealcasters]

Clean gain from Cloudlifter > RCP2 preamp gain. Need? Probably not. Want less noise from the preamps? I do. Thanks for watching and commenting here!

[@wehottttttt]

Cloudlifter gives better clean gain.

[@Dealcasters]

@@wehottttttt agree!

[@rafaelmatosdasilva]

please do a video without all that audio processing. your compression made the comparison useless. :(

[@Dealcasters]

Thanks for the feedback! It took us a while, but we did another video comparing these mics without processing - so hopefully this helps you. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional feedback! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXWYnlqoKxshqcsi=jB7kB9mQeyNMWZWa

[@coffeebeardtv]

Honestly this mic is overpriced, rode makes better mics .

[@sunnymusyc]

Interesting topic for me but and thank you picking this topic, but dude.... only 1 minute out of 10 with valuable information, you're repeating yourself waaaaay to much. Same phrase, tons of times, common...if you're not having anything to say I suggest to short your videos or do some reels.

[@Dealcasters]

Thanks for your feedback!