Shure SM7b vs. Original 1973 SM7 Comparison (Versus Series)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 4 авг 2024
- Today we compare the modern Shure SM7b to the original American Made 1973 Shure SM7. Is the updated version better than the version used to record Thriller (there…I said it), or did Shure make good updates?
HQ Audio Of Video: podcastage.com/rev/sm7vssm7b
Buy the Shure SM7b (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: geni.us/shuresm7b
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/MOn5o
Thomann: www.thomann.de/intl/shure_sm_...
Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
Thomann: www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite...
00:00 - Intro to SM7 and SM7b
00:43 - Build Quality
02:03 - Microphone Spoken Word Test (Price / Specs)
02:45 - Polar Pattern Tests
03:25 - Background Noise Tests
04:00 - Distance Tests
04:22 - High Pass Filter / Presence Boost Switch Test
05:10 - American Made SM7 vs. Mexican Made SM7
05:52 - Music Tests
08:08 - Conclusion & Winner
10:37 - Outro
Subscribe For More Videos: ruclips.net/user/podcastage?su...
Become a Member: / @podcastage
My RUclips Setup: podcastage.com/studio
My Favorite XLR Mics: podcastage.com/rev/favxlr
My Favorite USB Mics: podcastage.com/rev/favusb
Check the Frequently Asked Questions: podcastage.com/faq
Vote For What You Want Reviewed: podcastage.com/vote
NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): If you purchase an item using my amazon link, it provides me a small referral fee. For more info check my FAQ page links below.
Check Out This Stuff TOO:
Website: www.podcastage.com
Giveaways: podcastage.com/giveaways
Discord: www.podcastage.com/discord
Merch: podcastage.com/store
Company Relationship Disclosure: podcastage.com/disclosure
Personal: www.bandrewscott.com 
Наука
Top quality comparison! And if you
hit the thumbs down 👎🏼 you live with your parents and have a small wee wee.
I live with my parents and have a small wee wee but I still hit the thumbs up 👍
OMG ! That’s Hilarious 🤣
Hahahaha! Awesome. (Quickly discreetly undoing my thumbs down lol). I agree, great comparison.
@@NaaimSiddiqi Oh my god that's hilarious! You get a thumbs up from me!
Jajajajaj
"Now I am talking into the Shure SM7 which costs,.... I don't want to talk about it"
Nice
$1,120 on reverb lol
His wallet is in horror whenever he mentions the sm7
reverb.com/p/shure-sm7
Money money yeah yeah
@@iandaviesmusic $699 on ebay almost mint condition
The SM7 sounds amazing wtf
Yeah🤣
As a studio guitarist, that electric part made me smile
agreed.
yeah the sm7 sounds better im my opinion
@@marcotomaselliart yeah for thousands of dollars
Shure mics really _are_ built to last.
Built to last, and built to beat intruders to death.
@@Podcastage The 57 may as well be a billy club lol
Microphon-a-holic. I understand. I'm with you. Good job as always.
Me too, ...
Same here
Micaholic😎
I think I prefer the SM7. The SM7b definitely has a darker tone to it. The SM7 seems to have more clarity in the high-end.
Have to agree with you there.
I guess that would be an effect of the humbucking coil, it's a typical sideeffect on guitar pickups as well. But live sometime you can't have the noise that non-humbucking pickups deliver (RF and staglights can be bad). FWIW. Sometimes the highend rolloff can work on the poitive side.
Christian Boddum I hadn’t considered that but that is super interesting. That made me think of a Strat and a Les Paul. Of course the density of the body affects it but also the twanginess of the strat from the single coils and the thickness and darker sound of the Les Paul with the humbuckers.
@@Podcastage I generally don't like vintage correct Strat pickups, they are just too bright and they hum badly, so i opt for DiMarzio HS-2s that are humcancelling, which fare better with high gain plus the tone is a little fatter,which I like, and there is ZERO hum ;-) Actually I've practiced no hum in my guitar for years, so whatever guitar I pick up, I know I will not have to take hum in to the consideration when I choose a guitar. FWIW. Thanks for all the great videos :-)
Agree! also I agree with @RyanVickers I always thought that the 7B was way overrated, and kept wondering why, I only knew that couple of famous used it, like Michael Jackson for Beat it, and it was making no sense to me cause the 7B is way dark, (I've never heard a SM7 before)and hearing this comparison, the SM7 sounds waaaay better, and the 7B is just getting the love that the SM7 had, even though they don't sound alike, the 7B sound cheap by side to the SM7, in all aspects, and it is most noticed when the filters were ON, in the 7B the filters sound unnatural, as in the SM7 they sounded really good. Now with that one, I understood a bit why people love so much the 7B, is because the SM7 was good.
You can really hear the 70s when that sm7 comes on in the guitar demos
Yessir! That is due to the fact the sm7 had a modified capsule that was used in the sm57 and sm58. With the new humbucking coil of the sm7b causes it to be a bit darker. The sm57 was a preferred mic for micing amps by studio engineers at the time and even modern day!
Wow
I just want to say that I appreciate how much work you put into these videos to make these comparisons so ripe with information.... just for me to listen to them with my phone speakers.
Sounds amazing for a 1973 mic
A lot of great audio hardware came before the year 2000
I mean, the original U47s and C12s are even older...
Majority of equipment is from the mid 60s and before
The amazing world of analog recording.
Sound is simple. It's waves. Mic and speaker technology is simple. They function like your ear.
One does not simply innovate the concept of that. The sound of a great microphone or speaker will always come down to the same things.
What a nice video. Tech evolves so fast, it's nice to have a look into the past and just appreciate the beginnings of stuff.
I really really love your show man. You cut straight to the point and your tests are so effective but you’re still entertaining and informative! Plus the ways you’ve split your videos up is really helpful! My go to when I’m looking at a new mic ❤️✨
I really appreciate you showing the instrumental parts. My ear is much better tuned to picking up differences in instrument sounds than voices, and these comparisons make it very clear. Thank you for your work!
Bloody hell that mic is as old as me lol.
Haha, it's the same age as my dad, I'm 20 next month.
welp this looks like your regular family reunion
It's 32 years older than me lol
Soo older than me like 33 yrs older
that thing’s older than my dad lmao
Wow, I can't believe how the SM7 does a much better job at rejecting noise coming from behind. And also it sounds much better in my opinion, but I wouldn't spend that much money on a used microphone almost 50 years old. Great review as always!
Definitely the Sm7. Why don't they just make it the SAME.
There's this OCD part of me that freaking loves watching and listening to you compare tiny minute differences between pretty much identical microphones.
I don't even need a new mic (totally happy with the SM7B, and I was totally happy with the sm57 I had before that).
I come here for the mind tingling indulgence of my OCD side, thanks for going as far in depth as you go in these comparison reviews.
Great video! Never have thought they would sound so different.
I love your reviews man. They are clear and concise! I have the new SM7B and it was very cool to hear the comparison between that and the original model. I immediately heard the top end in the original. Definitely a fan of the new 2020 version. Thanks!
Wow I loved the sound of the SM7 for both guitars. On the electric it just sounded so "dirty", it really let that distortion shine. And the acoustic was beautiful. If I ever record something on guitar I know what mic to ask for.
Glad you made this. I was always a little surprised that this was chosen over a good condensor for so many great recordings (not least M. Jackson.) Very warm sounding.....bit still a modified SM58, and I want one ! 🙂
I think your vids are really consistent, I must’ve watched at least 10 today. Definitely subscribing keep it up man 🙌
That was a great comparison! Thanks for making this one it helped make my purchase decision!
Great comparison! The SM7B is on my list of mics to buy for my youtube and podcast! Thanks for the review!
Man the old guy really biffs a guitar tone for some reason. Great video!
Thanks so much fluff.
I've always wondered about this comparison - thank you for doing this! I actually prefer the SM7b. I use it because it has that certain smooth character. That's one of the thing it does that others don't. I have other mics that can do the top end thing. Very interesting comparison.
Let’s go!!! I keep seeing these old ones listed online lately
Super interesting comparison.
I didn't expect the differences to be so significant. Thank you ✌🏼
Carsten - Thank you very much. I was surprised at the delta in performance as well. Also, the SM7 that I have is 50 years old so it has lived a full life, and anything could have happened to it since it was released. This is just the best that I can do. It would be awesome to get a fresh out of the box 1973 SM7 and compare it to the modern SM7b though. Maybe one day!
Hey man, great detail and great video, nice easy comparisons, adn thorough, even the logo remark was helpful,
x
Okay, best microphone comparison video I’ve heard. Great work.
Been waiting a long time for this one
Excellent review man! I love my Shure SM7B :D
I also noticed that the SM7B's filter switches sounded significantly more effective than the ones on the SM7. I'm not sure if that's just something that could be attributed to the age of the older microphone, or if that's an actual functional difference, but it stood out to me during the test.
Hey man, great videos. The XLR ports are reversible on both mics. The whole mounting bracket can be removed and flipped around to position the XLR on whichever side you prefer
This was super interesting and fun to watch/listen to the comparisons between the two. Very well said too. Thanks for sharing! 🤘
Great, methodical, useful A/B comparison process. Thanks! In my monitoring environment, I actually preferred the sound of the acoustic guitar through the SM7B, which counters your assessment. I heard more presence and top-end clarity than in the original SM7 (not a lot, but noticeable). Given other comments that say the opposite about the two mics, I think it's important to keep in mind one's monitoring situation. And, since the mics sound relatively close to one another, not comparing apples to grapefruit, EQ adjustments may essentially make the differences moot.
The Mic must have been taken care of perfectly! It sounds amazing!
Bro, what audio interface you are using here scarlet 2i2 gen.2 without cloud lifter ? Interesting review.
Great and very useful review! Thanks a lot!
@Podcastage I just found your videos and I really enjoy watching u; and when you sing your songs; u got that Adam Sandler vide going for u 👍🏾😊
Excellent video. I do hope one day you'll be able to review the Shure SM5B.
Super excited to at long last see this test! I can easily listen to the b or the non b. Perhaps the b is better to listen to? I could also listen to the music tests all day. It you just had a channel of music test I'd listen to it. I'm also grateful that you continue and listen to your heart and chase your microphone passion. It's truly making the world much better to listen to.
hey podcastage, do you know when the samson q9u comes out (i know you’ll prob do a review on it when it does)
Wow wow wow. I've always wondered about this. Thanks for the comparison, Bandrew. My take away from this is if you want that vintage sound, you've got to use a vintage mic.
This channel is great. Learn A LOT about mics with some of your videos (amongst others).
Can I suggest another battle, but now between audio interfaces?
How about the Mackie Onyx Producer 2.2, against the MOTU M2 and the ZOOM UAC-2.
with comments on their pre-amps, USB connections, and frequency/clarity.
P.S. I saw your review on the MOTU M2 and really wanted to see it up against other ones.
I’m also curious how the 2 compares, thank you for making it ❤️
I've been using a SM7b for 5 years for audiobook narration and love it. I engage the presence boost. And I use a Golden Age Pre-73 MK II preamp.
I'm not sure how the original SM7 shipped initially, but the mount is reversible, you can flip it around depending on use (front to back (as you were discussing), but also to either side to make the switches on the back orientated correctly depending on use). Just be careful when you undo the sides, there's a bunch of easy to drop washers.
This was fascinating. Would love to see more old vs new comparisons just to see what has changed over the years. The RE20 would be an interesting one for this type of video.
i actually have a "vintage" RE20, while i haven't A/B tested it there isnt a noticeable difference. the only difference ive noticed is a small build change, like reeeeaaally small. the roll-off switch was changed in the way it looks. seriously, (that's all i've noticed, there could be more but i doubt it.)
The slaps at the end really... slapped. Loved that part.
Great review! More Vintage Microphone reviews please.
I still think the SM7B is kind of dull without the presence function engaged. This is a fantastic comparison. Great video!
great video man
Excellent comparison! Thanks man!!!!
50 años y se sigue escuchando igual de bien que su versión actual, increíble la calidad de los micrófonos de hace decadas
Hey! What are these Micstand "Bajonett connectors" called? Greetings
Hey Podcastage! Awesome video really...alot of effort put into those videos am certain.
Am just wondering why a microphone that old can sound so good yet in the music we hear back then we could hear a lot of background noise and somewhat low quality audio as well as static.
I understand its a studio mic but when you spoke into It i got mind blown how such sound can be made and still the music back then wasn't too sharp in terms of vocal sounds
Hi, for ma podcast and radio, which mic i need to buy, between neumann bcm 705 VS SM7 ?
Thanks a lot.
Great Channel
Started to like the 7, then thought the high frequency boost would become tiring: A) to listen to , and B) to smooth out on every track it’s used in an eq strip or plugin. I like the 7, but the 7b seems to do the job better.
Hey Sir, I don't know if this fits into your channel but there is this new thing calles RTX Voice and a video from you on how it works and how effective it really is would be nice bro, love your content keep up the good work
He talked about it on his podcast.
He probably can't use it cause he is a Apple sheep mac peasant.
Ryan Lennox-Bradley may be an Apple sheep but 90% of the music you enjoy was made on them ❤️
@@Maradnus nahh most done on fl studio. Pc's are powerhouses compared to macs when it comes to price
@@Maradnus What are you on about? The worlds most popular recordings were probably done on an analogue console up until the 00's and 9/10 records today are surely not recorded on a cheese grater. You made that up.
But the apple sheep comment was ignorant, i'm with ya.
Fantastic comparison. Thanks!
For recording guitar the SM7b sounds way better, i'm guessing it's because of the hum bucking coil
I didn’t expect it to sound that much better. Even on my phone speakers it just had this clear musical color to it. Almost sounded more detailed too.
Yeah the original has much more top end to it, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Great video, man. Now it would be really nice if you could make a comparison between a modern U87ai and an U87 from the 70's. It would be very expensive also hahaha
a great review to liste to! :D
Used to record thriller. Awesome. Good review as always.
Thanks, bro, for doing what you do.
Great video liked it!!
47 years old and still sounds like new. No doubts about Shure's build quality.
Interesting to hear how different they sound on electric guitar. On voice I couldn't tell much difference, but electric guitar was like two completely different mics. The new one definitely sounded _better_ , but I thought the old one sounded really cool too. Definitely some harsh frequencies in there, but with a little EQ it would be perfect for a song with a vintage vibe.
The 70's one sounds sooo sooo perfect...
Great video Bandrew, you sure like that SM7b/SM7. Yes, the SM7b sounded better in my modified HD 201's...
Nice review! It's possible to flip the yoke around on the new one to make it like the old one if you want.
Father and son
do you know a good alternative to voicemeeter banana for mac?
I dropped a like for the amazing guitar solo!
Both sound great! Though I only hear a minor difference and can't say which one I prefer.
These are great videos.
This is awesome man, the original was so incredible. New one is still great though.
Hi, recentlyI have bought a Shure SMB 7b and had Rodcaster pro couple year ago , do I need cloudlifter c1 or any suggestions please?
I’m blown away that the design is almost EXACTLY the same now as it was in 1973! Kind of cool honestly
Such a nerdy vid, luv it!
That music test should be an actual song. I love it for so much for some reason. lol I'm an SM7B owner thanks in part to you!
Both sounds amazing
btw, what is the proper distance to be from the mic when using an sm7b?
We can take something from Joe “keep that mic a fist away from your mouth” Rogan. For spoken word a fist length is excellent for this, and you could extend to 6 inches, but that’s the farthest I’d probably go unless of course I’m singing really loud and want a bit more of the room.
@@Podcastage Thanks a lot!
Cool review. Thx
Your singing voice reminds me of Motion City soundtrack, which is good. Also great video. As someone who wants the SM7 just because, it's nice to hear the comparison
That's one of the nicest things I've ever been told. Justin is one of my all time favorite vocalists! I Am The Movie, and Commit This To Memory are soooo good!
@@Podcastage oh hell yeah! MCS are awesome. No worries dude. Keep up the good content 👌
I do have two of the SM 7 mics. Bought them at a discount, paid ~ $70.00 for each. Still have my SM 57 & Sm 58's still use them. I did notice that you were wearing Sony MDL 7506 head phones. They still have very good feel and response. I've bought them used on line for as little as $15.00, rebuilt them with replacement parts from a co. called Wang. Drivers, ear cushions and cables all available. So far, I have 10 pairs of them and have another 4 to fix. BTW, I'm retired and am the sound guy at the local senior center. Still love it. If you'd like, I could send you pix of the set up. Primitive as compared to today's standards but worked.
I'm trying to branch into Voice over work but my current set up produces a very audible "room noise" that I have to edit out in post. My room is definitely not treated but i'm wondering if theres a budget way to treat it or if this super audible room noise is from my mixer?
Going through my board and monitors they sound nearly identical. wow I might buy one
I'm looking for a condenser microphone that can placed 6-7 ft away from the recorder. All the reviews I've seen are for podcast type recordings but I'm interested in outdoor sounds (not too loud) that might be several feet away. Do you have any reviews for microphones with remote controls or long cables.
For real, I wasn't noticing any big difference between the two when it came down to voice tests. Which is great because it means the new one pretty much retained what the original manufacturing had.
But where I did notice the difference in sound was with instruments where the change in response for the higher frequencies became apparent. I'm also liking better the new one for a more controlled top end.
That was an interesting comparison to listen (And watch! It was also entertaining!) for sure and I thank you for that!
Wow. I didn't realise these mics were so different!
Awesome video. Can we be RUclips friends? Kidding. Love it buddy. Killer review & comparison.
Hi, I'm António Filipe from Portugal
I follow your channel since 2018, I love the tone as you do your reviews.
I saw your review on the Motu M2 sound interface, the Shuer SM7B microphone with the Fethead applicator and ended up buying them.
I connected the Shuer SM7B microphone (+ the fethead) and my Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 250 headphones to the Motu M2 sound interface, installed the driver, and was able to record and listen to Adobe Audition, however when I'm not recording (and even recording) no sound comes out of the headphones.
What am I doing wrong?
Shouldn't sound come out of the headphones at the time of recording?
Thank you very much and continued success with your wonderful channel.
So what you’re saying is that the SM7 is a Stratocaster and the SM7B is a Les Paul. Whenever you add a coil (to buck the hum) you completely change the sound. I needed this content. Great work homie!
I need some help from someone who’s knows more about audio than I do.
I have an SM7B, plugged into a cloud lifter, which is plugged into a GoXLR. I’m having trouble getting my mic sounding like other people are able to get theirs to sound with the same setup. I have a noise gate, EQ, and compression on the microphone through the GoXLR app and can get the mic to sound good, but not where I want it. My room is NOT treated and there are some echos reverb present if I start to talk loudly. I am working to fix that issue though.
Is there something I’m missing? Or do I have everything and I just need to treat my room and maybe play with EQ a bit more?
Hey bandrew! I've watched your videos a few years back, like in 2016-2017 ish and now im watching you again to decide which mic to get! I think i am getting the sm7b, i am about 200$ short tho, anyway will update if i get it or any other mic! Thanks!
noticeable difference but both are very useable. I have one of each, I go to the older one for vocals a lot but could be the grand lour of vintage gear lol idk both are good mics no doubt
The SM7The SM7 sounds really has that authentic grit im looking for, where did you grab yours and whats your audio interface or audio chain running this demo?
Great comparison.
May I ask what mic pre and recording media was used?
Thanks!
1973 huh? almost half a century old. I couldn't imagine the same model from so back in a day would sound so good. I couldn't decide between the two in the end. Both mics are great, although SM7 does sound v 1973 when it comes to electric guitar.
Overall amazing work, SHURE.
Thank you for the review, Bandrew!
1337 gamers approve SADW
If i close my eyes..i can’t tell them appart. Great comparison by the way. 🍳
I know it's an "older" video, but the first part describing the differences regarding the XLR placement is just a result of flipping the mount, you will also see this affecting the orientation of the Shure logo on the back, and top of the microphone ;)