Review on 🎙️ Enhanced Shure MV7 XLR/USB Dynamic Microphone for Podcasting (Black) by Bethany Ray

I'll start by saying that the Shure MV7 is an excellent USB mic, given the clarity of the Die Voice and overall audio output is an (obvious) improvement over your regular laptop's built-in microphone. It's positioned as a podcast mic, although even I'm not in that camp. Instead, all I needed was a high quality USB microphone for video conferencing and lecture recording at my college. My previous USB mic was a Zoom H1 recorder, and after weeks of daily online meetings, I realized how much better those meetings would go if a colleague didn't keep asking me to repeat it or pointing it out to me from time to time Time to say time when they were hard, hear me. So I'm by no means an audio engineer with enough knowledge to thoroughly critique the MV7's audio output (I'll let other Revain reviewers tackle this area!), but the makers of Shure aren't going to replace their higher end. Microphones like SM7B. While there's an XLR connector here, the MV7 isn't meant for those trying to get perfect sound or studio-quality music recording, but that's the point. If you instead need a microphone for podcasts, live streams, or Zoom calls, this is one of the best options, with just enough monitoring options and room for customization to get the most out of this great device. .The entire mic construction, right down to the attached headband, feels incredibly solid and high quality. Although I've only been using it for a few days at the time of this review, I'm very unconcerned about its durability. Even the metal-rimmed rear headphone jack is of better quality than what you'll find in most laptops these days (if they have it, of course). Fortunately, knowing that users can opt for a desktop mic stand, the included USB cables are long. When you connect it via USB, it takes a few seconds to register on your computer each time; There is a series of green lights breathing while this is happening. As a side note, I plan on getting an arm stand in the future, but for now I have an on-stage desk stand that fits this mic perfectly. This is a basic stand, but I still recommend it. As I mentioned before, I can't speak to the nuances of the MV7's audio quality compared to someone who actually had studio experience or recorded with decent audio mixing skills. But from the perspective of an average person who works from home and has a full day of online meetings and lectures, I'm very impressed with how my voice sounds from this mic. Not only does my voice sound crystal clear, but the echoes bouncing off my high ceilings and the inevitable street noise outside my window are nowhere to be heard when recording audio with the MV7. Vocals are a top priority with this product, which is why the brand has dubbed it the Podcast Microphone. I agree with Engadget's Devinda Hardavar — one of the first tech writers to write about MV7 — that plosives, or "p” sounds, don't sound as perfect as you'd like compared to what you typically hear in the hear air. Audio vocals or some loud live broadcasts, but that's entirely possible given my loud, light voice. Likewise, an additional pop mask can mitigate this slight distortion. Shure recommends using ShurePlus MOTIV software, a desktop application that is available for free on their website. The desktop app is very useful for users like me as it includes automatic level adjustments which include adjusting voice tone and microphone position, as well as manual settings which allow you to adjust audio gain, equalizer and audio compression ratio. You can save presets, and on macOS at least, the MOTIV app will automatically detect the Shure MV7 once it's connected to your computer. If you want to tune every single frequency and refine the parameters even further, you have to look beyond MOTIV. In the near future I hope to update this review with new scientific audio tests including USB and XLR output (I'm still looking for a suitable audio interface). The point is, I'm not a fan of the touch interface built into the microphone. There were many instances where I had to tap the icon multiple times or move the volume slider to get it to respond. The buttons themselves could have been bigger too, as they were small for even my thin fingers to be able to press without accidentally touching the adjacent volume knob. While it's not too bad, it makes me wonder why Shure didn't just use physical controls like the Blue Yeti Pro's volume rocker. Buttons, whether touch or physical, are definitely not needed as the aforementioned ShurePlus MOTIV app is available, which includes the same controls as well as many more options. Not everyone will like the location of the touchpad either. I think some users might get used to grabbing the middle of the mic to adjust the angle - and it just so happens that the touchpad is in the middle. Luckily, you can do without using the controls if you don't love them like I do: holding down the mute icon and monitor mix icon for at least two seconds locks the entire touchpad, indicated by a red light. next to the lock icon in the same area. Of course, it is important that these two symbols react first! Perhaps in the future Shure will release firmware that improves this touch control. However, everything else about the Shure MV7 is near perfect. I think having such a microphone for your computer will make meetings from home much easier. The $249 price point is a worthy investment and easily outperforms any internal laptop mic or cheap, uncomfortable headset you're clinging to. I will update this review over time but for now I give it my highest recommendation! [Important warning upon first unboxing: I unpacked the screws that secure the mic to the bracket NOT tight. One could easily hold it by the bracket and unknowingly cause the mic to wobble and fall. I hope this isn't the case for everyone, but this is something to consider before taking the mic out of the box for the first time; Hold it by the mic, not the mount!]