It would be incorrect to assume that the Shure MV7 and the XLR-only SM7B are built similarly. The MV7 is similar to the SM7B in that it has a front-address swivel mount, but it is ultimately a different animal. It combines pro gear features with Shure’s USB mic line’s versatility for the best of both worlds. The MV7 has a lot to offer podcasters and musicians looking for a simple-to-use vocal mic that prioritizes clarity. also you can check our article on Shure MV7 review. A dynamic microphone with XLR and USB outputs is the Shure MV7. The MV7’s appearance is unmistakably influenced by the wildly famous Shure SM7B, but can it match that model’s acclaimed audio output? How about those fresh features created specifically for contemporary streamers? After careful testing, we can confidently state that the Shure MV7 provides an excellent audio experience. Although in terms of raw performance it doesn’t quite match the SM7B, it has some tricks up its sleeve that make it a close race.
Design
The Shure MV7 XLR/ USB mic’s all-metal construction is well done and feels sturdy in our hands. We mounted it to our microphone boom arm. It has a black foam windscreen that is included with it to stop plosives and give it a “pro” appearance. On both sides of the mic, in black, is the Shure logo. Only the touch buttons for gain, headphone volume, and mute are made of plastic on the front of the device, below the windscreen. Slide your thumb back and forth to adjust the volume of your headphones, the microphone’s gain, or the mute feature using the front panel touch controls, which are integrated into the microphone and work quite well. A thread converter, a 10-foot USB-A cable, a 10-foot USB-C cable, and an XLR cable are all included. An XLR input, a micro USB connector, and a 3.5mm headphone monitor input are all located on the Shure MV7’s underside. The MV7 has an advantage over other USB microphones on computers since using more than one USB mic simultaneously can be a little problematic. You get a higher-quality recording, more control, multiple tracks, and mic inputs that are not dependent on software or the hardware in your computer when you use an XLR microphone, which is connected to your computer via a separate mixer. For anyone starting out in the world of podcasting or streaming, USB microphones are fantastic, reasonably priced, and a great plug-and-play option. However, if you want to take your podcasting or streaming to the next level, investing in a mixer with XLR inputs, controls, and sound effect options is a wise move. The 6.1 x 3.6-inch, 1.2-pound Shure MV7 has the appearance and feel of a high-end studio microphone. It does not come with any form of stand, but you may purchase a desktop stand, tripod stand, or boom arm. The Shure is larger than the Razer Seiren Emote but lighter and smaller than the Hyper X Quadcast. Its size and weight are closest to those of the Blue Yeti Nano. It’s a great mic to bring along if you’re recording while on the go because of its compact design and sturdy construction.
Shure MV7 review: Connectivity
One of the main advantages of the Shure MV7 is that you don’t have to choose between XLR and USB connectivity; an XLR and microUSB port, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring, are both located at the bottom of the device. It goes far beyond just allowing entry-level users to connect via USB and then upgrade to an XLR setup in the future to offer a high level of future-proofing. You see, it gives you the option to simultaneously record in both XLR and USB, giving you a low-res file via USB and a high-res one from the XLR. This serves as a backup system for the XLR system and, if you are successful in recording a flawless take, it is already digitally compressed and prepared for distribution. The Shure MV7 has official Made for iPhone & iPad branding on the box and a tailored version of the ShurePlus MOTIV app for iOS and Android devices, making it compatible not just with PC and Mac but also with iOS and Android devices. You can connect the mic directly to an Android or iPad that supports USB-C using the microUSB to USB-C cable that is included in the box along with the microUSB to USB-A cable. For iPhones and older iPad models, you can purchase a microUSB to Lightning cable separately. Since you can record on a smartphone or tablet instead of a desktop or laptop, the Shure MV7 is incredibly versatile and is perfect for podcasters who need to conduct interviews while on the go.
Sound quality
The Shure MV7 is intended to be used exclusively up close, with the microphone directly in front of you, as opposed to microphones that use condenser recording cartridges, like the Blue Yeti X. This limits the uses for which you can use the microphone. It works fine for voiceovers, YouTube streaming, and podcasting, but since there isn’t an omnidirectional mode, you can’t use it to record a face-to-face interview or a group discussion. you can read our article on Shure MV7 review. The microphone’s careful selection of what it records is a benefit. It primarily picks up sound from in front of the microphone, effectively filtering out sound from the sides and the back, and effectively eliminating background noise. Even though the Yeti X has a cardioid mode in addition to omnidirectional, stereo, and other modes, it still picks up quite a bit of background echo and noise, much more so than the Shure MV7.
Shure MV7 review: Software
The user-friendly, simple-to-use Shure Plus Motiv software makes it simple to discover the sound you’re looking for. The Motiv software eliminates all chance by giving the user complete control via manual mode or the option to select auto mode and set it and forget it, allowing the intuitive software to control things and find the ideal balance of settings. In manual mode, you have more control over the features and can choose from a variety of customizable sound signatures. In the software, you can select “dark,” “natural,” or “bright” to find the seductive deep radio voice you’ve always wished for. Additionally, you can choose between “near” and “far” modes, depending on whether you want to be a close-up podcaster or an animated streamer who moves around a lot. We discovered that the far mode worked well when streaming and moving around behind the microphone. When you have only one microphone and two subjects for an interview, the far mode also does a great job of recording multiple voices. With the included Motive software, Near Mode perfectly records vocals while podcasting, giving you the desired sound quality. You can mute the device completely, adjust the headphone monitor volume, and change the microphone gain via the software. Additionally, there are four EQ settings available: Flat, High Pass, Presence Boost, and a hybrid of High Pass and Presence Boost. The sensitivity settings for the microphone compressor are also adjustable. One of my current favorite software suites is the tidy-looking Shure Plus Motive. In order to record videos using the camera on your phone and audio using the MV7, you can also download the Shure Plus Motiv Video software, which is designed to work in conjunction with your iPhone or Android device.
Shure MV7 review: Performance
The MV7’s simplicity of use is its greatest feature. You only need to plug it in, launch the MOTIV app, and tweak your recording levels to get started. The app is very easy to use and gives you the option to change a number of settings to get the best recording possible. There is even a Near/Far option that, when used with a microphone placed far from you, automatically raises recording levels. As a cardioid dynamic microphone, you’ll find that it can be forgiving in environments with audible background noise, such as the hum of an air conditioner or computer. The MV7 performs a respectable job of filtering out any background noises and is good at picking up on what’s in front of it, which is your speech. If you record using an XLR, some post-processing may still be necessary, but it will most likely be minimal. The MOTIV app has an Auto level mode that does most of the work for streamers or anyone who doesn’t want to fiddle with settings. The adjustments you can make are limited, but for the majority of users, this mode will work just fine. Three levels of microphone tone adjustment let you enhance lower bass notes or give your voice a more natural sound. The most flexibility for your sound is provided by manual mode, which lets you change the Gain and EQ levels in addition to Tone. If you tend to shout when you’re excited during a stream or recording, you can also enable a Limiter that will automatically adjust recording levels. There is a lot of room for experimentation here, and more experienced users will value the options offered. If you decide to use the XLR option with the MV7, you will forfeit all of the wonderful advantages of USB, including monitoring and volume control for the microphone. Any mixer that supports XLR connections can be used with the MV7, and you can then adjust your mixer’s volume and other controls for the purest sound. If you want to record to two outputs rather than just one, you can even use USB and XLR simultaneously.
Pricing and configurations
Conclusion
The Shure SM7B is arguably the most recognizable microphone ever made. The renowned cardioid microphone is well known for having been used on Michael Jackson’s album Thriller. It has since been used on countless other albums, as well as for voiceover and podcasting work. It is an incredibly adaptable microphone with an instantly recognizable sound signature that is great for drums, brass instruments, guitar amps, and even vocals. We were thrilled when Shure unveiled the MV7, a miniature SM7B that is especially geared toward podcasting and quick adjustments.
