Shure
Shure SM7B
Cardioid dynamic for close vocals, speech and broadcast, also guitar cabinets and kick drum
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power None: a dynamic mic needs no power. Low output: it needs a lot of preamp gain.
- Type
- Dynamic
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −59 dBV/Pa
- Among 78 dynamics: more output than 13%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 5%
- Rated range
- 50 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2001
vs 44 end-address dynamics
More output than 19% of 44 end-address dynamics.
Each stripe is one end-address dynamic with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
5 of 12; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Titled "Frequency Response"; relative dB. Distance, anechoic or not, smoothing and typical-vs-individual are not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 2. Approximate
Titled "Polar Pattern, Measured at 1000 Hz" (as printed, though it shows five frequencies); two plots, 250 Hz to 1 kHz and 2500 to 8300 Hz; 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring down to -20 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 8.3k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −59 dBV/Pa (1.12 mV/Pa)open circuit voltage, 1 kHz. "Open circuit voltage: -59.0 dB (1.12 mV), 0 dB = 1 volt per Pascal". | p. 2 |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmfor inputs rated 19 to 300 ohm | |
| Rated frequency range | 50 Hz to 20 kHzTolerance not stated. | |
| Switches | bass roll-off: off, on; presence boost: off, on"Bass rolloff and mid-range emphasis: Slotted response selector switches", with a graphic display of the setting. | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male | |
| Weight | 765.4 gPrinted as "765.4" with no unit; grams assumed. | |
| Finish | Dark grey enamel aluminium and steel case, dark grey foam windscreen | |
| Supplied accessories | Foam windscreen; A7WS close-talk windscreen; Locking yoke mount | |
| Electromagnetic hum sensitivitytypical, equivalent SPL per milliOersted | 60 Hz: 11 dB; 500 Hz: 24 dB; 1 kHz: 33 dB | |
| Cartridge shock mount | Internal air-suspension shock and vibration isolator | |
| Swivel assembly | Integrated, captive nut, fits 5/8"-27 thread | |
| Polarity | Positive pressure on the diaphragm gives positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3 | |
| Replacement parts and accessories | RPM106 replacement cartridge; RK345 windscreen; A7WS close-talk windscreen; 537A desk stand | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2001 | |
Documents
- SM Wired Microphonesspec sheet for the SM range; SM7B on page 2
- Shure SM7B | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.