Mic Archive
Shure SM7dB
Photo: Shure, from its spec sheet, p. 1.

Shure

Shure SM7dB

Cardioid dynamic for speech, podcasts and vocals: the SM7B with a built-in active preamp (+18 or +28 dB, or bypassed)

Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.

Type
Dynamic
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−59 dBV/Pa
Impedance
150 Ω
Rated range
50 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the user guide, p. 10. Titled "Typical Frequency Response"; relative dB. Distance, anechoic or not, smoothing and preamp setting are not stated (the guide calls the preamp's gain "flat").

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the user guide, p. 10. Titled "Typical Polar Pattern"; two plots, 250 Hz to 1 kHz and 2500 to 6300 Hz; 0° at the bottom, rings every 5 dB labelled -5 to -20 dB, centre -25 dB. Measuring conditions not stated. Approximate reading error up to about 1 dB.

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All specs

From the user guide
Sensitivity−59 dBV/Pa (1.12 mV/Pa), flat response, preamp bypassed; 1 kHz, open circuit; also −41 dBV/Pa, flat response, preamp +18 dB; also −31 dBV/Pa, flat response, preamp +28 dB. Pages 8-9: "-59 dBV/Pa (1.12 mV)" bypass, "-41 dBV/Pa (8.91 mV)" +18, "-31 dBV/Pa (28.2 mV)" +28; all measured with 48 V phantom power.p. 8
Output impedance150 ohm, preamp bypassed; also 27 ohm, preamp engaged. Recommended load ">1k Ω".
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, recommended, more than. "Recommended Load >1k Ω".
Rated frequency range50 Hz to 20 kHz. Tolerance not stated.
Poweringphantom 48 V DC (IEC-61938) for the preamp; none in bypass mode. "48 V DC phantom power (IEC-61938) 4.5 mA, maximum"; page 3: "It will operate in bypass mode without phantom power." The footnote: "The microphone operates at lower voltages, but with slightly decreased headroom and sensitivity."p. 9
Current draw4.5 mA, maximum, preamp engaged
Switchesbass roll-off: off, on; presence boost: off, on; preamp: bypass, +18 dB, +28 dB. Back panel: bass roll-off, presence boost, a bypass switch and a preamp switch (+18 dB or +28 dB).p. 6
ConnectorXLR-3 male. Not stated as such; the polarity is given for pins 2 and 3, and page 3 asks for "balanced, microphone-level inputs".p. 9
Weight837 g. "0.837 kg (1.875 lbs)".
FinishBlack enamel aluminium and steel case with black foam windscreen
Supplied accessoriesRK345B black foam windscreen; A7WS large black foam windscreen; 31A1856 5/8" to 3/8" thread adapter. Furnished accessories.p. 11
Preamplifier equivalent input noise-130 dBV (A-weighted, typical)p. 9
Hum pickup11 dB (typical, at 60 Hz, equivalent SPL/mOe)
PolarityPositive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 with respect to pin 3
PreamplifierBuilt-in active preamp, "up to +28 dB of low-noise, flat, transparent gain"; switch positions +18 dB and +28 dB, or bypassp. 3
Variable-impedance preampsUse the highest impedance setting with the built-in preamp; bypass it to change the tone with a low impedance settingp. 4
Placement (Shure)Speak directly into the mic, 1 to 6 inches (2.54 to 15 cm) away
Replacement partsRK345B black windscreen; RPM604B nut and washers for the yoke mountp. 11
From the spec sheet
Replacement cartridgeRPM106B ("Internal Microphone Cartridge")p. 1

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Shure, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on shure.com

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

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