The Shure SM7dB is a fantastic update to the legendary SM7B, but before you buy it it’s important to be "shure" that it’s the right mic for you. This video takes a looks at the SM7dB’s performance and breaks down who I think it IS for and who it is NOT for.

I also quickly want to point out that I never buy gear with the intent to return it for a refund after making a review. I’m returning the SM7dB because it’s an expensive mic that adds no benefit to my specific setup that the original SM7B doesn’t already cover. I had hoped that it would allow me to have that “SM7B Sound™” with a cleaner signal and less gain, but as the video shows, there’s no discernible difference with my equipment.

⚙ Gear featured in this video:
•Shure SM7dB: https://geni.us/sm7db (Amazon)
•Shure SM7B: https://geni.us/tepsm7b (Amazon)
•Rodecaster Pro II: https://geni.us/rodecasterpro2 (Amazon)
•Rodecaster Arm: https://geni.us/bOkzyk1 (Amazon)
•Headphones: https://geni.us/rodenth100 (Amazon)
•Colored Windscreens: reporterstore.com
•Tabletop Mic Stand: https://geni.us/Ayyv (Amazon)

Mics used for comparison:
•Blue Sona: https://geni.us/sonamic (Amazon)
•Shure MV7: https://bhpho.to/42t9ngg (B&H)
•Shure SM58: https://geni.us/fNPEFQG (Amazon)
•ElectroVoice RE20: https://geni.us/re20black (Amazon)
•Samson Q9u: https://bhpho.to/3Ly6Wmt (B&H)
•Rode PodMic USB: https://bhpho.to/3HlqwPQ (B&H)
•Rode Procaster: https://bhpho.to/40nWaTS'>https://bhpho.to/40nWaTS (B&H)
•Rode NT1 5th Gen: https://bhpho.to/40nWaTS'>https://bhpho.to/40nWaTS (B&H)
•Lewitt LCT 240 Pro: https://geni.us/4fww (Amazon)
•Earthworks ICON Pro: https://geni.us/swicon (Sweetwater)
•Earthworks ETHOS: https://bhpho.to/3JQa23P (B&H)

I edited this video (and all my videos) with Final Cut Pro. If you want to learn how I edit, check out my online course: https://learnfinalcutpro.com

And if you're interested in podcasting, I've also got a DIY podcast production course: https://podcasterplaybook.com

⏱ Chapter Markers:
0:00 Basics of the SM7dB
3:20 The Conclusion: Why I’m Returning the Mic
4:39 Who Should NOT Buy the SM7dB
5:47 Who SHOULD Buy the SM7dB
7:45 Running the Mic Directly Into a Camera
8:47 What About Other Boosted Dynamic Mics?
10:09 A Brief History of the SM7B
11:49 What’s Included with the SM7dB
12:59 Sound Comparison: vs. Original SM7B
15:00 Noise Floor Comparison
19:31 vs. Logitech Blue Sona
22:47 vs. Shure MV7/MV7X
24:54 vs. Shure SM58
26:24 vs. ElectroVoice RE20
28:00 vs. Samson Q9u
28:56 vs. Rode PodMic USB
30:09 vs. Rode Procaster
31:19 vs. Rode NT1 5th Generation
32:46 vs. Lewis LCT 240 Pro
33:30 vs. Earthworks ICON Pro
34:14 vs. Earthworks ETHOS
35:26 Final Thoughts

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——————————— VIDEO GEAR ———————————
•Ecamm Live Streaming Software: https://geni.us/ecammtom
•Sony FX3 (Main Camera): https://bhpho.to/3EJuBde (B&H)
•Sony a7SIII: https://bhpho.to/3f8mMlS (B&H)
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•Sony 24 1.4 (Main Lens): https://geni.us/sony24 (Amazon)
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•Zeiss 85 1.8: https://geni.us/zeissbatis (Amazon)
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•Elgato Prompter: https://geni.us/elgatoprompter (Amazon)
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•GoPro Hero 13: https://geni.us/gopro13
•Rodecaster Video: https://bhpho.to/3Ub88j2 (B&H)
•DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone : https://geni.us/I2e0AB (Amazon)
•YoloBox for Mobile Streams: https://bhpho.to/3pc8qHU (B&H)

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– Who Am I? –

Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.

It's my goal for each video to be interesting/helpful/atleastmildlyentertaining, from a helpful enthusiast’s point of view. You can take a look at my bio to learn more about my background, both personally and professionally: https://himynameistom.com/about

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Episode 375: Shure SM7dB: A Great Mic That I Won't Be Keeping