SM7 or similar priced ldc?

[travelin travis]

I've read around here that the SM7 is a versatile mic and works well on alot of vocals and other applications. For a home recording rig with an anemic mic locker and a few cheap pre's, which would you choose? SM7 or a large condensor in the same price range? My main ldc as of now is a Hamburg. I like it quite a bit for acoustic guitar but I have other mics that work well for this.

 

[gemsbok]

sm7 is a large dynamic mic. its been a good choice on loud singers and screamers. its sounds kinda smooth. if your use to alot of detail your better off with a large condenser. i love the audio technica 4040. very clean and natural. i just seen one for 209$ on the auction sites.

 

[travelin travis]

an sm7 is a dynamic mic?

i guess my question should have been "is a sm7 a good choice as a main vocal mic / work horse mic or should i be looking at a condensor in the same price range?".

 

[Middleman]

Depends on your style of music I guess. The SM7 is kind of a set it and forget it mic. It sounds really good on a lot of things. Anything with a driving beat where the vocal needs to get out in front it works on. It also works on people with weaker voices in that it adds a little meat.

For the big ballad sound or the intimate type song a condensor is going to provide more details. On a good vocalist this is important for catching vibrato, subtle vocal runs and other details of a gifted singer.

The SM7 is more of a workhorse mic by the way because it also sounds great on snare, horns or other high impact sources. Condensors are more specific to certain instruments or voices and depending on your price range will not be able to handle high spl as much as the the Shure mics. Something to consider.

 

[alecmcmahon]

an sm7 is a dynamic mic?

i guess my question should have been "is a sm7 a good choice as a main vocal mic / work horse mic or should i be looking at a condensor in the same price range?".

Actually the SM7 works great for me as a vocal mic.. Like the other guy said It works well for loud singers and screamers, and sort of gives it a nice smooth sound, But it does also sound good on lots of other vocals.

I think it also sounds good on guitar cabs as well.

Though, beware the Sm7 requires alot of juice from your preamp, so try testing it out at your music store on a similar setup before purchasing.

other than that, Great mic!

 

[Middleman]

Though, beware the Sm7 requires alot of juice from your preamp,

This is so true, I have to run my Portico at almost 90% vs say an NTK which comes in around 50% on the level knob. The SM7 requires some juice.

 

[bubbagump]

Tough call. I used an SM7 on vocals for dern near everything for years and was always pleased with the results. Yes, you want some gain, but the SM7 was my first "real" mic back in the day and even with my crap equipment atthe time it still did a fine job. I find regardless of the vocalist, the SM7 did a good job on some and a great job on others and the SM7 tracks always seemed to sit in the mix well with out a lot of dorking with EQ. I did all the vocals on this record with an SM7:

http://italianfolk.dnsalias.com/Christmas/

(Yeah I know, a Christmas record, but it is all I had available to show off the SM7 posted on the web at the moment.)

I also use the SM7 on all the things mentioned above... horns, guitar cabs, snare.....

So I guess what I am saying is, go with the SM7 as you already have a condensor. I don't think you will be disappointed with the SM7 and you will be able use it forever on dern near everything as you won't out grow it as your mic locker grows.