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 (B&H)
•Rode NT1 5th Gen: 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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Instagram: @sodarntom
Main Site: https://himynameistom.com
Podcasts: https://himynameistom.com/podcasts

——————————— MUSIC ———————————
•Artlist.io (2 Extra Months Free): https://geni.us/ArtlistTom
•Epidemic Sound (30 Day Free Trial): http://share.epidemicsound.com/enthus...

——————————— VIDEO GEAR ———————————
•Sony FX3: https://bhpho.to/3EJuBde (B&H)
•Sony a7SIII: https://bhpho.to/3f8mMlS (B&H)
•Sony 24 1.4 (Main Lens): https://geni.us/sony24 (Amazon)
•Tamron 20-40 2.8: https://bhpho.to/3sTzIDy (B&H)
•Zeiss 85 1.8: https://geni.us/zeissbatis (Amazon)
•Elgato CamLink: https://geni.us/vddHN (Amazon)

——————————— OTHER AUDIO GEAR ———————————
•Sennheiser MKH 50: https://geni.us/mkh50 (Sweetwater)
•Sony Video Mic: https://bhpho.to/3ztb6Vb (B&H)
•Rode VideoMic NTG: https://amzn.to/2ZKrHTh (Amazon)
•Sennheiser Profile (USB Mic): https://bhpho.to/3JDWGrh (B&H)
•Rode Boom Arm: https://geni.us/shr0 (Amazon)
•Blue XLR Cable: https://geni.us/bluexlr (B&H)

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🎥 Check out my full gear list here:https://himynameistom.com/gear
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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, but I'm an enthusiast and not an expert. You can take a look at my About page to know more about my background, both personally and professionally: https://himynameistom.com/about

•My channel is open and welcoming to people of all races, ages, genders, and orientations. I’m glad you’re here.

•Read my Ethics Statement about objective reviews, sponsorships, and brand partnerships: https://himynameistom.com/ethics

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