sm7a vs. sm7b

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tipiumgrove

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I've read in this forum that the sm7 is one of the best mics for recording male rock vocals, so i was thinking of giving it a shot. i really need one quality vocal mic, and for the forseeable future, i am going to be recording male rock vocals. any ideas on what the difference beween a and b are? also, old and new?

ps i am currently using an oktava mk 319 through an art pre for the job, with lackluster results
 
A and B. Same mic, same sound, B has improved bracket.
 
tipiumgrove said:
I've read in this forum that the sm7 is one of the best mics for recording male rock vocals, so i was thinking of giving it a shot. i really need one quality vocal mic, and for the forseeable future, i am going to be recording male rock vocals. any ideas on what the difference beween a and b are? also, old and new?

ps i am currently using an oktava mk 319 through an art pre for the job, with lackluster results
Click to expand...

old and new- less switches on the back. I've got a straight SM7 (no letter), all I know is that it sounds wonderful and that I have to really tighten the nuts on the bracket or else it will slide. It's great for male vocals, female vocals, not as much, but it likes many voices I've stuck in front of it.
A nice pre for vocals is very important, I've always felt that's where the vocal "blooms." When I started recording I just relied on the pres on my Tascam m-312, I mean they were good enough for drums, right? But vocals are a different animal.You're making the right call on the Shure, step up to the plate on a nice pre and you'll never regret it.
 
I went thru a few vocal mics and really liked the SM7b and had never had the gearlust to replace it. it quenched the need. :D

other notes of it being great for a "bad" room. lead me there.

Thats the biggest positive, imo, for the SM7 is its a LDC, but its not too sensitive like some LDC's...you know those overly sensitive mics that can pick up an ant crawling across the floor! or magnify your nostril cavity air intake, making it sound like a 747....geez..
the SM7 wants you right on it, yet if you back away it's not picking up the gear clicking in the attic fan. Obvious, it works well for Announcer Booths.

I can relate, you say you only need ONE good Male Vocal mic, same here.
I wouldn't be surprised if this works well for you. with a good pre.

Come to think of another big positive, I've recorded some kids around here doing some screamo, or whatever music it is....and I don't even worry about the SM7, its a strong well-built tool. The vibe of a real steel workhorse. solid.
Not like some ribbon, fragile, piece of Waterford crystal mic which could blowout if someone whacks it with a guitar headstock.
which is another huge plus around here as there's frkn a never ending trail of teensters coming and going, jamming nearly every day, breaking stuff...

they've broken two mic stands? in all my years I've never broken a mic stand? :confused:
 
hungovermorning said:
old and new- less switches on the back.
Click to expand...
Nope, same number of switches, but the "b" has a cover over them.
 
Shure has told me that the bracket for the SM7b will fit earlier models. I have two SM7s so I thought I'd order some of the new brackets and try them out. Actually, I think it is the SM7 that has a switch cover and the "b" is uncovered. Don't have mine here to look at. I run them flat all the time anyway. I believe the "a" and "b" are supposed to have better shielding as well. But they all sound the same.
 
COOLCAT said:
Thats the biggest positive, imo, for the SM7 is its a LDC, but its not too sensitive like some LDC's...you know those overly sensitive mics that can pick up an ant crawling across the floor! or magnify your nostril cavity air intake, making it sound like a 747....geez..
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, LDC stands for Large Diaphram Condenser, which the SM7 is not. It's a dynamic mic. ;)
 
Harvey Gerst said:
Nope, same number of switches, but the "b" has a cover over them.
Click to expand...

Ha! I never bothered to take off the back panel on my SM7. Thanks Harvey, now I have switches!
 
Great choice on vocal mic this mic was used on a lot different commercial recordings probably the most famous of all was Michale Jackson Thriller. Anyway I believe the only difference was the mounting brackets was improved on the B model. I believe they also added a little more electromagnetic shielding on the B model. But you need to upgrade your micpre for this mic to really shine through for you Art not the best choice on this mic a Grace micpre would really shine through for you good luck and great choice you'll be happy even with the Art sorry but not an Art fan myself.
 
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