Shure’s SM7 was introduced in 1976 and is available today as the SM7B. The mic began life as a broadcast microphone and was essentially a development on the earlier SM5 model. For the development of the SM7, Shure engineers were given the SM57 cartridge elements (Unidyne III) and asked, without restrictions on size or cost to essentially make it better.
For this reason, the SM7b is sometimes referred to as the SM57 on steroids. You can read the full history surrounding the SM7 by clicking here.
What does the “SM57 on steroids” mean – what makes it different?
Shure unidyne III variations can be found in many Shure dynamic microphones; however there are a few differences between the SM7B cartridge and the SM57 cartridge design:
- The SM7B diaphragm is optimised for increased low end response
- The larger housing of the SM7B allows for more volume behind the cartridge, which extends its low end response
- The internal shockmount of the SM7B is optimised to reduce stand vibrations, while the shockmount in the SM57 is optimised to reduce noise in handheld applications
- The SM7 was designed as an extended, full range microphone and intended to be universal in its applications
- It has a flatter and wider response than the SM57 but its selectable low cut and presence peak filtering allow it to fulfil (and enhance) applications where the SM57 excels
The full article can be found on Shure’s blog here: http://shureblog.co.uk/whats-the-difference-between-shure-sm57-and-sm7b/#.U5WMCfldWaJ