Shure SM7dB

What it does

• Records a close voice into an XLR input
• Adds +18 dB or +28 dB when the interface supplies +48 V phantom
• Runs as a plain dynamic mic with the preamp bypassed
• Switches bass roll-off and presence boost on the body

The unit you receive

This listing is the Shure SM7dB. It is not the SM7B, and it is not a boom-arm, headphone, or interface bundle. It is a dynamic moving-coil microphone with a cardioid pattern. The body is black enamel aluminum and steel, with a black foam windscreen. Shure states the frequency range as 50 Hz to 20 kHz.

The built-in preamp has +18 dB and +28 dB positions. The bypass switch returns the microphone to SM7B performance. The preamp needs +48 V phantom power to IEC-61938, 4.5 mA maximum, from an interface or a mixer. Bypass works with no phantom. An XLR input that does not supply +48 V will not power the preamp.

Output impedance is 27 ohms with the preamp on and 150 ohms in bypass. Shure recommends a load above 1 kilohm. Sensitivity at 1 kHz, 1 Pa (94 dB SPL): bypass is −59 dBV/Pa (1.12 mV), +18 dB is −41 dBV/Pa (8.91 mV), and +28 dB is −31 dBV/Pa (28.2 mV). Positive pressure on the diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3. Weight is 0.837 kg, about 1.9 lb. The yoke has a captive stand nut.

The box is one SM7dB, one close-talk windscreen, and one 3/8-inch thread adapter. An XLR cable, a microphone stand, and an audio interface are not included. This shop does not add its own warranty. A dealer’s return window is not this shop’s policy.

Specs

Pattern, preamp gain, phantom current, impedance, sensitivity, and weight are Shure’s figures for the SM7dB. Studio photo shows the listing.