Shure’s SM7 microphone family has a new member.
Called the SM7dB, it is a dynamic vocal mic with cardioid polar pattern like the SM7B but adds a built-in active preamp that can be bypassed with a switch.
“The SM7dB provides creators and audio engineers with the exact rugged construction and legendary audio quality of the SM7B, with the addition of a phantom-powered, built-in preamp designed by Shure,” the manufacturer says in its press release.
“This integrated preamp provides a supplementary +18 or +28 decibels (dB) of clean gain, eliminating the need for a separate preamp, and freeing users from the hiss and noise introduced by many audio interfaces when their preamps are driven to the levels necessary to provide enough gain for the SM7B.”
Shure says the added gain brings the sensitivity up to a level optimized for most audio interfaces. “This guarantees users enough gain on hand for their audio to be heard with maximum clarity in a recording, on a broadcast or while streaming, regardless of their audio interface.”
The mic also the same EQ controls as the SM7B, with bass roll-off and presence boost. Retail price is $499.
