ShureSM7B room sensitivity

[Amorr]

I have heard that the SM7B isn't very sensitive to room noise/reverb etc, is this true? Cannot treat my room so looking for options that sound the best in untreated rooms.

[lisardygg]

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You’ve probably heard that as it’s a dynamic mic

Here’s a short article probably worth a read

https://podnews.net/article/condenser-d ... podcasters (https://podnews.net/article/condenser-dynamic-microphones-podcasters)#

[lisardygg]

Ohh… sorry. First comment so I can’t do links yet. Just google “dynamic microphone room noise” though and you should find something on the subject

[BertKoor]

It's because of the Supercardioid polar pattern me thinks.

Large diaphragm condensers are omni pattern sensitive: sound from all directions. Cardioid means more directional. Room sounds come from all directions, while the singer is at just one location.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it contributes.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

I have heard that the SM7B isn't very sensitive to room noise/reverb etc, is this true? Cannot treat my room so looking for options that sound the best in untreated rooms.

It's get a vary narrow polar pattern, isn't the most sensitive microphone in the world (which is actually good when you're not in the most quiet room), and requires a ton of gain. I think you need a preamp with at least 60db but preferably 70db of clean gain, which is more than your typical interface preamp. You could also look at a Cloud Lifter or similar device to add gain. I've got one here and it really needs all that gain unless you're only going to record loud singers/instruments.

A perhaps better, but similar, alternative is the Electro-Voice RE-20. Very similar applications but I don't think it needs anywhere near as much gain.

Both mics work for lead vocals, voiceover, broadcast, guitar/bass cabs, and even low frequency drums (SM7B on floor tom, RE-20 on kick, etc.).

[Amorr]

Thanks for the responses everyone! Lots of useful info

[kv5132]

To add to the responses above, a lot of the "room rejection" factor of the SM7B is that vocalists tend to be kissing the mic while singing into it, as opposed to an LDC for example where they'd tend to be backed off a bit. If you do back off of the SM7B, the room will become a lot more of a factor.

With respect to the RE-20, though I haven't used one personally, another factor is that they're designed to be less prone to the proximity effect than the SM7B, so vocalists who move around a lot may find them easier to work with in terms of keeping the lower frequencies consistent.

[Winstontaneous]

As others mentioned, SM7B needs significant gain but IME is great at rejecting room noise (and vocal esses) compared to the large diaphragm condenser mics I have. I think the big windscreen plays a part, also it has bass cut and midrange filters that let you emphasize the frequencies you want.

[guitarplayr82]

If I have to record in an untreated room, SM7B would definitely be my first pick over any condenser.