Uncategorized Archives - The Hifi Guide

Blue Yeti doesn’t need any introduction when it comes to choosing a mic. But Shure is also becoming a popular trend for recordings. Both Shure SM7B and Blue Yeti are top-performing microphones in their categories. The SM7B is a dynamic mic with a cardioid pattern while the Blue Yeti is a condenser mic with multiple polar patterns. If you want durability and record vocals along with instruments, the SM7B is a top choice to consider. It's a good choice for on-stage and in-studio applications. The Blue Yeti, on the other hand, is a lot more suitable for different computer applications. Preview Product Rating Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone for Broadcast, Podcast & Recording, XLR Studio Mic for Music &... Check Latest Price Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording and Streaming on PC and Mac, Blue VO!CE Effects, 4 Pickup Patterns,... Check Latest Price Sound Quality Shure SM7B The Shure SM7B provides you with a very clear sound, overall. But you will have to keep in mind this mic comes with a limited proximity effect. It means it won’t pick up low frequencies. Plus, it will tackle the mid to high-range frequencies pertinently. But to get the best results you need to keep the sound source within 2 to 3 inches from the mic. When you hit the sweet spot, this mic will produce a sensational sound with a rich tone. It means you can conveniently use it for a wide range of purposes. Frequency handling at different levels doesn’t get better than this. You can record from a wide range of different sound sources using this microphone and you won’t have to deal with any electromagnetic hum due to its inbuilt pop filter. For the best results, you have to place this mic in a proper direction. And when you do that, it can handle not only vocals but you can also use it for recording instruments. Though, you should prefer this mic for recording vocals because it has low to mid-range frequencies. Blue Yeti For a USB microphone, the Blue Yeti comes with good sound quality. It does a fine job when precisely capturing any output from the sound sources. But you need to consider it is not going to perform like a device you use in your studio or on stage. It can handle those frequencies at different ranges but is better suited for podcasting and similar other media handling. You certainly have the convenience of using this mic because it is fairly versatile and makes the recording process simple because you just have to connect it with your computer. Despite being simply a USB mic, it can record sound relatively well. Maybe, it is not the best option for recording instruments directly, but it can handle vocals extremely well. However, the microphone doesn't come with a pop filter and won’t handle that electromagnet hum very well. Build Quality Shure SM7B Upon holding the Shure SM7B, you will notice it is a huge microphone and weighs around 1.75 pounds. It is something quite heavy for a microphone. Therefore, you should use it with a stand and in the studio. But the design is built to hang in the studio. Despite being heavy, this mic comes with a compact design. It is painted in all-black and looks quite simple and sleek. If you are looking for a durable mic, you should go for this one. It has superior quality construction. Most dynamic mics are solid in construction especially if you compare them with condenser mics. And Shure has a long history of building quality mics. It almost guarantees this mic is going to last for a very long time. The moving-coil dynamic mic makes it one of the best options for you to consider when it comes to living performances. Blue Yeti The primary advantage you get from this microphone is its multiple polar patterns and simple connectivity features. Both these pros have been significant contributors to the overall success of this microphone. This microphone is of plastic. The only substantial piece this microphone has is its stand. All the knobs along with switches present on this mic are of plastics. They also tend to wobble a bit when you try to make some adjustments to the settings. When you have a look under the hood, you will notice there is a lot of space inside. You will only find three small caps within the spacious form factor along with their SMD circuit. It's a bit surprising but the spacious room inside the mic keeps the circuitry safe from any impact from the outside. Controls Shure SM7B Shure has designed this mic to keep it simple so you won’t find many controls on it. Still Shure has made two controls for you. One of these controls is for the bass roll while the other one is for the presence boost. Both these controls allow you to customize the mic’s wide frequency response rage that is listed to be in the range from 50 Hz to 20 kHz. It means this mic has all the means to meet your recording news especially when we talk about the vocals. However, the mic comes with a cardioid polar pattern which means it is going to be exceptional when it comes to recording vocals. But you can also record instruments using this microphone. Just make sure you place the mic right in front of the sound source and keep it close (within 2 to 3 inches). The mic also comes with a very high sound pressure level which tops out at 180 dB. It means it is going to be very sensitive when handling those low-frequency sounds. Blue Yeti As compared to SM7B the Blue Yeti comes with some controls on it. There is a multipurpose control present on the mic to adjust the mic’s gain and when you push the control dial your mic will be muted. It also controls the sound level through your headphones and enables you to mix your signal with the sound evenly. The microphone also comes with a series of lights. And if you don’t know what they mean, using your Yeti mic might become a bit confusing. The control has an LED ring along with a solid ring to keep the LED light in place. This light illuminates in different colors; depending upon how you are using your microphone. Usually, different color illuminations indicate what polar pattern is in use. Switching to your required polar patterns is simple and you have the option to choose between four different polar patterns in this condenser mic. You can either go for cardioid, super-cardioid, omnidirectional, and stereo. It means you can conveniently use it for recording vocals and instruments and use it for a variety of purposes including on-stage or in-studio. You only need a USB connection to get this mic connected with your PC or laptop and start recording straight away. Other Things to Consider Price Shure SM7B Shure is a top-quality brand. And if you are looking to buy from this brand, you need to keep in mind that you will only get good quality products from it. And this microphone is nothing different either. The company has used high-quality metal and plastics in the construction of this microphone. This microphone is going to last for a very long time. Dynamic microphones are also meant to be banged around so they are tough in their overall construction. The controls on this mic are extremely robust and move smoothly. The hanging adjustment on the mic is made of high-quality materials. Plus, this mic features quality materials under the hood. No wonder the SM7B can handle sounds from different frequencies. This microphone is all about performance and durability and for that, you are paying a price. You can certainly find cheaper dynamic cardioid mics on the market but they are not going to deliver the performance you can expect from Shure. And that is precisely why this mic has been in production for so many years. Blue Yeti One of the biggest advantages of going with this microphone is, it comes with a USB connection. You can conveniently link it with your computer or laptop and start recording. Apart from that, it also comes with polar patterns, which means you can use them to record different sound sources according to your requirements. But besides these two features, this microphone doesn’t have much to offer. The materials the company has used in this construction is this microphone is all plastics and you can’t designate a sturdy microphone. The controls on this microphone are flimsy too. But the company has geared it towards a user that is slightly short on budget but doesn't want to compromise on convenience. It is more suitable for using only one pattern and leaving the controls alone. Therefore, versatility is certainly there but sturdiness in the design leaves you begging for more. But with the features it has to offer, this mic certainly handles the competition pretty well. Size Shure SM7B The Shure SM7B is a giant-sized mic and its dimensions are 7.47-inch x 3.78-inch x 5.81-inch. It weighs around 1.75 pounds and these numbers make it a massive piece to own. With such dimensions and weight, you cannot carry it around in your hand. Therefore, you can conveniently use a stand with this mic. But it is specifically designed to be hanged. The microphone also runs on a lithium polymer battery which also adds towards its overall weight. Of course, its entire construction involves metal therefore, it also significantly adds towards the weight of this microphone. It looks pretty nice with the all-black color on it and the two controls on this mic are easily accessible as well. Blue Yeti This microphone comes with dimensions of 4.92-inch x 4.72-inch x 11.61-inch and weighs around 2.2 lbs. Now this mic is also something you cannot hold in your hands. So, it comes with a metal stand that significantly adds to the overall weight of this mic. But when you consider the mic itself and its construction, there is not much in it that contributes a lot towards the overall design of this mic. There is a lot of space present on the interior of this mic that doesn’t do much except to add to the overall size of this mic. It could have been a slot smaller in size if the casing was near enough to the capsules and internal circuitry of the mic. Considering that, this mic weighs 2.2 pounds which is not justifiable by any means. The only purpose we can understand this gap serves is to keep the capsule and internal circuitry safe from any external impacts. Pros & Cons Shure SM7B Pros Consistent and natural reproduction of sound.It can handle a wide frequency response pretty well.A top choice for broadcasting as well as singing.Comes with a pop filter and a windscreen for more effective performance. Cons A bit expensive than the Blue yeti microphone. Blue Yeti Pros It can maintain balance when even significantly off-axisDecent fidelity and accuracyIt comes with recording software.Built-in headphone jack.Suitable for computer applications.Easy to set up. Cons The Blue Yeti doesn’t have an inbuilt pop-filter.Doesn't come with an adapter for a standard mic stand. Conclusion: In terms of overall performance, reliability, and endurance, the SM7B is certainly the best choice to consider. But it also comes with a hefty price tag on it. But if you are looking for decent sound quality and don’t want to overspend the Blue Yeti is not going to disappoint you at all.