Shure MV7 | Jands | RRP: $529
Shure are microphone royalty. Their famous SM58 and SM57 microphones can be heard on countless recordings throughout history, and are a staple for live shows due to their accessible price point and robust, roadworthy construction.
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It’s no shock then, that Shure’s MV7 Dynamic Microphone fits the bill and carries the flag for Shure proudly. Marketed primarily as a podcast microphone, the MV7 offers both XLR and USB output, eliminating the need for an interface for gaming, podcasting and content creation. You can monitor directly from the mic where needed, or the MV7 can become your go-to mic for gaming, helping you communicate with your teammates in dire situations! The Shure MV7 is the smaller and more affordable cousin of the famous SM7B (that came after the SM7 for any mic aficionados reading), while retaining the form, function and clarity of its more expensive predecessor. The MV7 weighs in at 0.55kg so will have no issues on desktop and boom mic stands, something that more heavy duty microphones sometimes struggle with.
Because of the MV7’s plug and play style design, it’s a perfectly suited mic for gaming. On board DSP helps to filter out unwanted sounds, and the software intended for its use as a podcast mic makes for a great gaming mic that will retain clarity and articulation over low-latency streaming, gaming and other online applications. The XLR output makes the MV7 a handing mic to have around, conforming to more standard microphone specifications, but the USB output allows users with less audio-focused knowledge to have equal success with the MV7. The USB allows for connections direct to a computer or gaming console, where applicable, reducing the need for multiple rounds trips of audio, through extra software that can introduce latency. It connects easily and quickly to a mic or boom stand, so however you’re comfy gaming, the MV7 will move with you.
In use, setup for the MV7 was a breeze. Connected via the included Micro-B USB to my computer, I had signal in moments, toggling between settings in the MOTIV app. Switching to the XLR connection, the MV7 retains the clarity of any other mic, allowing either option to be entirely usable depending on your current recording/gaming rig. The 3.5mm headphone output is easily controlled within the app, sliding between monitor modes on the touch panel interface in the app. The yolk of the MV7, that is, the metal band that allows the mic to move freely, feels robust, as the felts and screws hold the mic securely in place with little effort. Unlike the SM7B, the MV7 has no cable protruding from the main chassis so the MV7 offers even more flexibility in that sense, so it can be screwed to a mic stand and tilted, flipped and tightened in the perfect spot. The chassis of the MV7 is also smaller so will obstruct less when live streaming, podcasting with video or performing music.
The MV7 is a dynamic cardioid mic, meaning that it’s very directional and will pick up primarily what it’s pointed at with minimal bleed from other sources. Being dynamic it doesn’t require phantom power, however you’ll need healthy levels of gain at the receiving end, be that your console, computer or audio interface. Gain control and access to headphone mix is available on the free MOTIV Desktop app, that allows the user to control the Auto Level technology based on the microphone’s position. From here you can adjust tone, compression and limiting and EQ, or adjust sample rate depending on your system’s needs. 44.1kHz and 48kHz sample rates are available for both 16-bit and 24-bit recording.
The MV7 is available in black or white, depending on your style, and the moveable yolk allows the MV7 to be positioned perfectly on a variety of mic stands. It’ll pick up everything from 50Hz all the way up to 16kHz, which is plenty of room space for a human voice while filtering out that super low end rumble and rolling off the high end nicely. The MV7 offers 36dB via the MOTIV app, as well as mute functions, presence controls, EQ and dynamics control, ensuring you have optimal signal arriving at its destination, which can be easily adjusted if need be. The natural curve of the microphone features a slow rise from around 1kHz, beginning to offer stronger response where it’s most important for a voice, ensuring clarity even before touching the EQ modes. The MOTIV app also has handy LED indicators to ensure your input is clean and your signal clear.
The MV7 is a total solution for the gamer looking for an easy way to make their voice heard. The MV7 provides handy controls for tailoring its sound to your needs, as well as physically being small, lightweight and adjustable enough to be placed in the perfect position for your voice. Clarity of voice is really important while streaming or gaming online, and the MV7 can retain a clear voice while you focus on leading the pack or falling back when the team calls for it. The MV7 features a regular XLR out as well, so if you move into more complex streaming routing for gaming, or even music production, the MV7 can move with you and will be endlessly handy no matter the project.
For more information, head to Shure. For local enquiries, visit Jands.
