Shure SM7dB: Legendary Sound Meets Cloud's Clean Gain

With over five decades of evolution since its SM5 predecessor, the Shure SM7B is the industry-leading choice for studio recording, broadcasting, and content creation. It’s legendary status can’t be overstated. From GRAMMY-nominated tracks by Black Pumas to award-winning podcasts like Song Exploder, the SM7B continues to be an essential mic used in countless creative projects.

While the SM7B sounds phenomenal out of the box, enhancing it with an inline gain boost, like the Cloudlifter CL-1, can unlock its full potential. Cloud Microphone’s impressive lineup of mic activators is known for providing a transparent gain boost while preserving the natural sound quality of the mic. Cloudlifters are incredibly useful in a variety of scenarios, especially when dealing with poor signal quality over excessively long cable runs.

Now you can get the best of both worlds. The new SM7dB combines Shure’s legendary sound with a custom Shure-designed preamp featuring technology licensed from Cloud, giving you everything you need to capture studio-quality vocal recordings in any situation.

We teamed up with our friends at Audio Tech TV to create an unboxing video for the new Shure SM7dB. Watch below for a full breakdown of the new mic and learn how it compares to the original SM7B.

Shure SM7dB Dynamic Vocal Microphone

The Shure SM7dB is a dynamic cardioid microphone that offers +18dB or +28dB of low-noise gain. Similar to the capabilities of Cloud’s mic activators, the internal preamp boosts the signal without generating unwanted noise or altering the response of the mic.

Now you can capture the classic sound of the original SM7B with plenty of gain, whether you're belting it out in the studio, performing live on stage, or even recording a podcast. Vocalists will appreciate its ability to capture flawless vocals and spoken word recordings, but it’s also great for close-miking soft sources that require a full, balanced sound. Like the standard SM7B, this version is great for recording different instruments, including acoustic guitars, brass, percussion, drums, and more.

Where the SM7dB really shines is its stunning clarity. You don’t have to crank your input gain to the max and deal with noisy interfaces that can ruin a perfect recording. In fact, the mic shares many of the same core benefits as the standalone Cloudlifter CL-1, including the ability to minimize hiss from low-gain audio interfaces.

It’s also a great solution for simplifying your studio setup. Having powerful gain-boosting technology within the mic eliminates the need to spend money on a separate inline unit, lessening the number of peripherals required to get a great recording. Home studio enthusiasts and mobile producers will agree—the fewer the cable runs, the better.

Shure SM7dB Features

The SM7dB is nearly identical to the SM7B. It features the same cartridge, shock mount, internals, and rugged construction with the exception of the Shure-designed internal preamp. This new preamp, which requires +48V phantom power, can be toggled on and off, meaning you can use it with virtually any XLR-compatible audio interface or mixer. With +18dB and +28dB gain settings, the SM7dB makes it easier to adapt in different recording scenarios.

The preamp controls are accessible via the back panel. In addition to two selectable gain switches, it features a bypass switch that disengages the internal preamp. In the bypass mode, the microphone will revert to the original SM7B response. Fans of the original model will recognize the bass roll-off and midrange EQ controls, which will help shape the tone of any voice or instrument in a pinch. These adjustable settings are great when you need to dampen the low-end or add presence to a signal.

Shure SM7dB Specs

With a flat frequency response spanning from 50 Hz to 20 kHz, the SM7dB can capture any source with stunning detail. In addition to soft sources, it can handle high-SPL sources exceptionally well, from kick and snare drums to thunderous bass amplifiers.

The SM7dB provides maximum noise rejection and minimum coloration of off-axis sound. By design, the traditional cardioid pattern provides maximum rejection and minimum coloration of off-axis sound. The mic also features superior electromagnetic hum shielding, internal shock mounting, and a highly effective windscreen to ensure an exceptionally clean signal on every take.

In terms of build quality, the SM7dB features the same top-notch details you’d expect from Shure. It’s a rugged mic, front to back. The microphone’s black enamel aluminum and steel case not only provides a sleek construction but also durability. The yoke mounting system, complemented by a captive stand nut, provides excellent stability and positioning accuracy, whether you’re recording live or in the studio.

Shure SM7dB FAQ

How are Cloud Microphones involved in the SM7dB?

Shure’s built-in preamp incorporates technology licensed by Cloud, tailored specifically for the SM7dB. This preamp provides clean gain while staying true to the sound quality of the original SM7B. The preamp has been tuned by Shure’s expert engineers specifically for the SM7dB to recreate the iconic SM7 sound.

What’s the difference between the SM7B and the SM7dB?

As mentioned, the SM7dB has the same core parts as the standard model, but it’s slightly longer to accommodate the size of the internal preamp. There aren’t any major differences in sound quality. However, using the SM7dB can lead to cleaner sound when recording with audio interfaces that typically hiss when they reach their limit.

Does the SM7dB need phantom power?

Phantom power is required to use the internal preamp, but you can also disengage the preamp and use SM7dB like a passive microphone. To connect the mic to a computer, you’ll need an audio interface such as the Shure MVXU2. This will convert the analog XLR signal into a digital signal via Thunderbolt or USB.

Is it OK to use the SM7dB with preamps with switchable impedance?

When using preamps with switchable impedance, we recommend using the highest impedance setting available to ensure optimal performance from the SM7dB. Select the ‘Bypass’ setting on the SM7dB if you’re using a lower impedance setting on your preamp. Following this simple tip allows the external preamp to have a more dramatic effect on the microphone’s tonality.

If you’re interested in purchasing the new SM7dB microphone or have any questions about other Shure products, contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.

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