Shure’s been consistently synonymous with quality and innovation. With the release of their latest offering, the Shure MV7+, they have once caught up hype. In this review, we’ll get ourselves to know about the features, design, performance, and overall value of the MV7+ to determine if it truly stands out as the microphone we all want or or not.
What do you get after unboxing Shure MV7+?
After opening the package, you will see the familiar sight of quality packaging. Inside, nestled snugly, lies the Shure MV7 Plus, with some essential accessories. A glance reveals the inclusion of a USB-C cable, a welcome departure from the micro USB connection of its predecessor, promising enhanced durability.
- Shure MV7+ Podcast XLR/USB Microphone (Black)
- USB-C Cable (9.8′)
- 3/8 to 5/8″ Adapter
- Limited 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty
A Closer Look at the Shure MV7+ Design
The Shure MV7+ Podcast Mic, seen in black, makes recording a professional podcast sound easier than ever. The MV7+, like the original MV7, is a high-quality, broadcast-style dynamic microphone with a clear and present sound. It has both a standard XLR connection and a USB port, allowing you to use it with audio interfaces, mixers, hard disk recorders, or directly to computers and mobile devices.
However, this updated “+” version adds several key features to improve your podcasting experience, including a customizable full-color LED touch panel with metering, improved DSP functions for better sound quality with less noise, three reverb options, a USB-C connector, and deep integration with Shure’s MOTIV Mix software for complete control of a wide range of sound-sculpting parameters. See all the technical features of the microphone in their website.
At time of writing, the Shure MV7+ comes in at $279 on Amazon, which is competitive against other hybrid USB-XLR microphones. It’s also £279 on Amazon UK.
What’s New in Shure MV7+?
- The multicolor LED touch panel adds stunning color to your sound. Choose from 16.8 million colors and use it as an audio level meter, or turn on the eye-catching pulse effect. Don’t want a constantly heated microphone? Simply tap anywhere on the LED panel to instantly mute the MV7+.
- Real-time Denoiser: cutting-edge DSP technology removes ambient noise in your environment and works alongside the mic’s Voice Isolation Technology to ensure you sound amazing even in poor recording settings.
- Digital Popper Stopper: a virtual pop filter reduces harsh plosive noises, allowing you to avoid acoustic distractions on audio tracks and a physical pop filter on camera while filming.
- Enhanced Auto-Level mode optimizes audio levels by adjusting mic gain based on distance, volume, and spatial detection.
- Onboard Reverb: Three types of onboard reverb settings (Plate, Hall, and Studio) increase the depth and beauty of music recordings.
- Hybrid XLR and USB-C outputs: the dual options allow for seamless connectivity regardless of the recording arrangement being used. The MV7’s micro-USB connector has been converted to the MV7+’s USB-C connector.
- MOTIV Mix integration: MOTIV Mix software unlocks strong onboard DSP functionality in every MV7+ via USB-C output. Configure and set up your microphone to personalize the colorful LED touch panel and adjust mic settings such as sound signature, gain, EQ, compressor, limiter, and more. Save presets to quickly recall settings.
Build Quality and Design
The materials are premium and, it exudes a sense of solidity and durability. While the design remains largely unchanged from the original MV7, subtle updates abound. Gone are the touch controls, replaced by a sleek RGB light bar that adds a touch of personalization without overwhelming the aesthetics.
Enhanced Features
Central to the MV7 Plus experience is the Motive Mix app is Shure’s commitment to innovation. From monitor mix capabilities akin to Elgato Wavelink software to real-time D noiser and digital popper stopper settings, the possibilities are huge. However, it’s important you note that while these features offer convenience, they may impact audio quality, necessitating careful calibration.
Additionally, the MV7+ offers a hybrid USB-C and XLR output setup which provides versatility for various audio setups. Available in black or white, the MV7+ boasts a design that is both functional and visually appealing.
Performance: Audio Quality and Features
Inspired by the renowned SM7B microphone, the MV7+ promises exceptional audio quality suitable for a lot of applications. Equipped with an “Auto Level” feature, the microphone takes the guesswork out of gain and compression settings, that ensures optimal performance for recording or streaming. This feature, combined with spatial detection technology, delivers precise and professional-grade audio with minimal effort.
Performance Testing
I would say The MV7 Plus is great in this regard, delivers crisp and clear audio across various scenarios. If used for voiceovers, gaming, or online meetings, it shows insane results. The inclusion of both USB and XLR connectivity further enhances its appeal, catering to a diverse range of setups.
Sound Quality
The microphone’s shape and sound are inspired by the Shure SM7B, a popular choice for podcasts and radio broadcasts. When you place the microphone close to your voice, it produces clear, comprehensible, and high-quality sound. The frequency response is tuned for rich, natural vocal reproduction. The MV7+ is also ideal for vocalists and musicians, with a frequency response ranging from 50 Hz to 16 kHz and SPLs of up to 128 dB.
In manual mode, the MV7 Plus delivers natural and nuanced audio reproduction. However, to achieve optimal results, you will require mindful positioning, with Shure recommending proximity to minimize ambient interference. Furthermore, the inclusion of a high-pass filter and reverb settings adds another layer of customization allows users to tailor their sound to perfection.
Shure markets the mic primarily to podcasters, so, first connected it to a Mac via USB. Record using Shure’s Motiv Mix software, Audacity, and Garageband. Shure’s app provides access to all mic digital capabilities, including EQ, reverb, and high-pass filter. Once you’ve set your digital settings, they carry over to other apps. You can test the mic with an iPhone or an iPad Pro.
(Credit: Eric Zeman)
Regardless of the target device, the sample recordings I created all had a clear, warm tone with a richness that gave my voice some of that desired, radio-quality sound. The timbre leans toward the mids to help amplify vocals, although using the dark or bright EQ tunings pulls out the lows and highs to some extent, respectively. The automatic popper stopper and digital denoiser effectively eliminate plosives and background noise from your recordings. These technologies also help to mitigate the blunders that people with weak microphone skills may make. If you choose, you can configure the LED to function as a sound meter, allowing you to visually assess your input level.
The MV7+ also introduces the “Digital Popper Stopper,” a built-in pop filter that effectively reduces plosive sounds without the need for additional equipment. I would say This feature ensures clear and distortion-free audio, even during intense vocal performances.
Moreover, the addition of a “Real-Time Denoiser” minimizes room echo and ambient noise so you can get a crisp and clear sound reproduction. Coupled with three onboard reverb settings, users have the flexibility to enhance the richness and depth of their audio recordings, making the MV7+ an ideal choice for music production and podcasting alike.
Testing Shure MV7+
In this review, I’ll put the Shure MV7+ through my microphone testing regimen while comparing it to the original. Read on to find out how the Shure MV7+ performs with the:
- Auto-Level test
- Plosives test
- De-noise test
Auto Gain
Except for the compressor test, all of my recordings using the auto gain feature of the MV7+ outputted healthy recording levels of -24LUFS, and a true peak of -4dBFS. That’s the perfect sweet spot for a raw recording!
Plosives
I believe microphone manufactures’ marketing teams are beginning to recognize that a foam sock/built-in pop filter is not a true pop filter. There is no mention of Shure’s built-in pop filter for the MV7+. What they did was add a “Popper Stopper” DSP capability to the Shure Mix program.
There are definitely popping plosives with the Popper Stopper disabled. When I turned on the Popper Stopper, the plosives subsided dramatically. I was a little apprehensive about how well this function would work, but it appears to operate very well. Well done, Team Shure!
Noise Reduction
Because it is a dynamic microphone, the MV7+ automatically protects itself from ambient recording conditions. However, I discovered that its noise rejection without any de-noise was quite good.
I recorded this test with a ceiling fan set to high, and the image above was enhanced to -16LUFS. The noise in the recording was still manageable, especially given the continual speech. The darkening in the preceding image indicates that noise reduction is enabled. I didn’t notice any tone harm from noise reduction. People with less-than-ideal recording environments may have more flexibility with the MV7+. However, this does not mean you should record with your window open or music playing in the background!
Shure MV7+ Motiv Apps Experience
Shure offers a variety of apps for the MV7+. Download the Shure Motiv Mix app for macOS and Windows. If you intend to use an Android or iOS smartphone, you’ll need the Shure Motiv Audio and Motiv Video applications.
The Motiv Mix desktop application has two primary roles. It functions as both an MV7+ management tool and a competent multichannel recording platform, allowing you to simply integrate all of your input sources. The software is currently in beta, and certain functions aren’t working yet, but it does what you’d expect. Shure claims that an update will include the missing features in the near future.
You may adjust the gain (automatic or manual), monitor (mic or PC), tone (dark, natural, or bright), reverb (studio, plate, or hall), and high-pass filter (off, 75Hz, or 150Hz). Finally, you can adjust the LED panel on the microphone. Aside from handling the microphone, the program allows you to specify recording options such as bit rate, frequency, and file type (AAC, FLAC, or WAV). I like how you can keep multiple presets for different recording conditions. Motiv Mix lets you to add several channels, but the output is currently mono, even when recording from many sources.
(Credit: Shure)
The Motiv Audio mobile app mimics the most of these controls. While my Mac recognized the MV7+ instantly after connecting it in, both Android and iOS devices required me to install and open the Motiv Audio app before they recognized the microphone. The Motiv Video app allows you to record videos with the microphone.
It’s worth noting that none of these software options apply to the MV7+ when it’s connected to analog audio equipment via XLR. In that case, it sends a clean, unadulterated signal to your capture device.
Final Thoughts and Verdict: Is the Shure MV7+ Worth It?
In conclusion, I’d say the Shure MV7+ has been always a choice in the competitive landscape of microphones. With its sleek design, exceptional audio quality, and innovative features, it will offer a wide range of applications. You’re a content creator, musician, or live streamer whatever, the MV7+ will deliver its performance with ease.
I see the Shure Mix software’s potential with the virtual routing it provides. Hopefully, after the kinks are worked out, it will provide a more enjoyable experience.
Currently, there is no support for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, as there was with the original MV7. I believe this is a step backwards, but possibly it will be introduced in the future. I’ve suggested the original MV7 to a number of clients because to its mobile support. Some folks are simply not computer smart, and they found it easier to accomplish everything with a mobile app while learning podcasting from the ground up.
So, if you’re ready to elevate your audio to the next level, look no further than the Shure MV7+. With its blend of style, performance, and convenience, it’s more than just a microphone – it’s your ultimate audio companion.
Conclusion
The most significant difference with the MV7+ is the use of new software to control it. The tonal profiles and noise reduction functions are slightly improved over the original program. The absence of mobile support is currently a bit disappointing. But With its design, superior performance, and integration with the Motiv Mix app, it offers a nice solution for all your audio needs. So, Say goodbye to compromises and hello to the insane microphone experience with the Shure MV7+.
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