Old SM7 vs Rode NT1000

[starbuck_59]

I have an old (20yrs) SM7 that I'm thinking of parting with. It's been a good mic for vocals however, I tried a NT1000 and was blown away. Ok, one's a dynamic, the other a condensor.

I have read many threads that suggest the SM7 is a fabulous mic. But are they referring to the newer updated SM7b? Perhaps my question should be, is there much improvement from the newer Shure SM7b over the workhorse SM7.

Alan

 

[CoolCat]

SM7 and SM7b

#4 04-07-2005, 23:30
Harvey Gerst
... Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Sanger, TX
Age: 68
Posts: 3,256
Rep Power: 39


A friend loaned me his SM7b to check against my SM7's; there was no difference whatsoever that I could hear.

The SM7b is supposed to have better hum rejection and a better mount. The mount was better than the SM7. I couldn't hear any difference in hum.

The SM7b has a back cover plate that covers the frequency switches; the SM7's do not have the plate.

I'm guessing you can't afford to keep both? If so I can relate.
My reason for getting the SM7b was it was often referred to as a "close up" mic, helping eliminate the room (as in bad acoustically treated room or noisy).
Which I agree it does. Very happy with it's unidirectional, non open back mesh design.
LD's in my exp. picked up way too much in my crap room, a CAD even picked up the motor in my attic air conditioner!

Its like two different kinds of paintbrushes,imo, so its all in the application needed. Pro's usually have one in the arsenal, but I never read the 7 was the #1 jaw dropping mic. Some good commercial tunes made with it,your probably already aware of that. Los Lonely Boys-Heaven, Sherly Crow, MJ, blah,blah,blah..not used on every song on the CD, as I read it, but the 7's got some credentials.

Whatever works best for you is the one. never used the NT.

 

[tourettes5139]

I love my NT1000, an awesome mic, IMO. Does great on vocals, (mine, at least), and also as an overhead actually. It does have a somewhat hyped high end, like most of the Rode mics, but its not bad at all.

I may be interested in taking that SM7 off of your hands if you are in fact parting with it. PM me, if you want.

 

[Wireneck]

What type of Pre are you using? It often takes a nice pre to bring out the "better" qualities of dynamic mics. Just a thought.....I have no real experience with either mic.

 

[mrface2112]

as noted above, the only differences between the original sm7 and newer sm7b are the mount and the hum rejection, which supposedly makes the sm7b a little "better optimized" for use around computer monitors.

there's a world of differences between an NT1K and an sm7. too many to go into here, but it's totally possible that the NT1K is a better match for your voice.

if still you're still looking at selling the sm7, drop me a PM.


cheers,
wade

 

[starbuck_59]

That's a good point Wireneck. The SM7 is going through an older Symetrix 528 voice processor. When I tested the Rode, it was going through a Line6 Tone Port. I should try them both through the same pre.

Thanks for the offer guys...I've booked mark you and get back to you if the NT1000 still looks favorable after some more testing.

 

[jake-owa]

Keep the SM7. You will hear why later, just hang onto it.

 

[darrin_h2000]

That's a good point Wireneck. The SM7 is going through an older Symetrix 528 voice processor. When I tested the Rode, it was going through a Line6 Tone Port. I should try them both through the same pre.

Thanks for the offer guys...I've booked mark you and get back to you if the NT1000 still looks favorable after some more testing.

Im curious myself how the SM7 would sound through the Neve 1076 and the API models on the tone port...My SP C1 and the SM57s are very impressive through that pre.

 

[WKWizard]

Hang onto it. It's not really worth anything. Great mic, but you're talking two different beasts here. I own both and use both. The 57 is not an awesome vocal mic, but it's good at so many things that it's indespensible.

 

[mrface2112]

Hang onto it. It's not really worth anything. Great mic, but you're talking two different beasts here. I own both and use both. The 57 is not an awesome vocal mic, but it's good at so many things that it's indespensible.

dude, you're confused. he's talking about an sm7....NOT an sm57. two COMPLETELY different mics. the sm7 is a fantastic vocal mic, as well as excellent on kick drum, amps, you name it. the sm57....not so much.
---------------

starbuck, there's no reason at ALL why you shouldn't get a great sound out of the SM7->528 combo. the 528 is an excellent preamp/channel strip, let alone excellent "budget" preamp. I've got one myself, and it's got a great character. not something i'd use on every track, but i love it on vocals (among other things). there are many, many, many broadcast studios who have that very sm7->528 combo and have had so for years.

if the NT1K sounds better on your voice through that same preamp, then the NT1K would prolly be better suited for your voice. i would definitely compare them both through the 528. disengage the compressor and eq before you do it, too. the eq on the 528 is not what i'd call "surgical" in the least and definitely imparts an extra flavor.


cheers,
wade

 

[Stefan Elmblad]

If you trade in your SM7 for a NT1000 and do not later regret it, you should trade in the NT1000 for new monitors.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Hang onto it. It's not really worth anything. Great mic, but you're talking two different beasts here. I own both and use both. The 57 is not an awesome vocal mic, but it's good at so many things that it's indespensible.

I have 2 words for you...Led Zeppelin