Shure’s SM7B has been a popular choice for years, providing exceptional vocals for both artists and podcasters alike. It has taken off even further in recent years as new artists, podcasters, streamers, and other entertainers continue to pop up every day on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and more. However, it comes with a single caveat that Shure’s new SM7dB aims to fix.
The SM7B requires a preamp in order for it to gain the amount of volume needed for it to sound good (pun intended). Most commonly paired with the CloudLifter in order to achieve this. Which typically tacks on an additional $150 to the $399 price tag of the microphone.
With the new Shure SM7dB, the company has resolved this by building the preamp right into the microphone without adding much to the overall size of the microphone. So no additional accessories are needed to get it to work. A smart move that will give users options since you can still make use of other preamps if preferred at any point since the company also gives the option to switch the built-in preamp on or off via a small switch on the back.
It also features a switch on the back to select between +18dB and +28dB, hence the fun play with terms within the model name (“dB”). This switch is in addition to the two switches (high-pass and mid-boos) you find on the SM7B that are still available on the SM7dB.
The new SM7dB features an MSRP of $499, placing it at $50 less than buying the original SM7B and CloudLifter preamp separately. There are more affordable preamp options out there, but you can be assured that the SM7dB’s built-in preamp is going to be well worth the price (just like the CloudLifter is) coming from Shure.
It is currently available via select retailers, including B&H, and will spread to other certified retailers shortly.
