SHURE SM7B vs SM58 Microphones for Livestream and Podcast

In this week’s episode we compare two classic microphones from SHURE: the SM7B and the SM58. These cardioid dynamic mics have proven themselves to be staples amongst podcasters and vocalists, respectively, but why exactly is that? In this episode we listen to some sound samples from each mic, discuss their features and histories, and walk through how you might incorporate one or the other (or both!) into your audio recording workflow. Let’s take a closer look and listen!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. https://school.learnlightandsound.com

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Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Shure SM7B Vocal Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Perfect Circuit, Amazon https://geni.us/GYU7dHy
- Shure SM58 Dynamic Vocal Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/c2pxTM4
- Shure A7WS foam cover, what we used on the SM58 to record this episode — B&H, Sweetwater https://geni.us/WFpwz
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon, Trew Audio https://geni.us/O8e0
- Desk stand for microphone — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/cJUHuw
- Cloudlifter CL-1 in-line preamplifier — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/AUDx0
- Triton Audio FETHead in-line preamplifier — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/zRbtL
- MOTU M2 USB audio interface — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/uSL4fR
- Aputure P300C LED used as key light — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store https://geni.us/TFVUy
- Aputure LS 300X used for background light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/LBXWV
- Aputure Spotlight Mount —  Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon https://geni.us/kfAj
- Rosco Gobo creates the pattern on the back wall — B&H https://geni.us/Yqzw
- Canon C70 cinema camera — B&H https://geni.us/ABYB
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/qwsEs
- Schneider Radiant Soft diffusion filter — B&H https://geni.us/VFScD
- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/gr47

Index
00:00 Start
00:15 Summary
00:25 Intro
01:48 The Big Question
01:58 Sound samples
02:55 History of the SM58 and SM7B
06:17 A few noteworthy features
09:54 The Verdict
12:23 Please buy my courses

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: https://geni.us/G7by

Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd