The Shure MV7+ is an update to the original MV7, and as such it's also a dynamic broadcast microphone designed specifically for speech and vocal work. That might sound like business as usual at first, but there's a lot more going on under its black shell than it lets on: The MV7+ is really two tech worlds combined in one unit. On the one hand, it can be used in classic analogue mode, behaving just like a normal dynamic moving‑coil mic. On the other, it can hook straight into a Mac, PC, or an iOS or Android device – turning the MV7+ into a digital USB microphone with a built‑in AD/DA converter. In digital mode, a stack of features makes day‑to‑day use easier: The mic's sound can be shaped using Shure's range of MOTIV apps, for instance with options to add various kinds of reverb; an auto‑gain function effortlessly keeps the signal level steady. And this new edition also has a touchscreen LED strip that doubles as both a mute button and a full-colour level meter.
In analogue mode, the Shure MV7+ simply hooks up via its XLR output to an external mic preamp or the XLR input of an audio interface, behaving just like a regular microphone. For digital use, the MV7+ features a USB‑C port – in this setup, the mic signal is amplified and converted right inside the unit itself. The internal converter operates at a maximum sample rate of 48kHz with 24‑bit resolution. The USB signal can be directly monitored using the stereo headphone output. Anyone wanting to tap into the this flexible mic's full feature set can open up the MOTIV Mix app, which unlocks a whole stack of extra controls. The LED screen on the mic, which functions as a level meter when the mic's in use, will also display changes made to gain or monitoring levels in real time.
The Shure MV7+ puts the human voice centre stage; its tuning leans towards a slight lift in the highs and a gentle low‑cut to support vocal clarity. The trick Shure has pulled off with the MV7+ is combining pro-grade microphone technology with an easy‑to‑use interface. That makes the MV7+ a future‑proof investment even for complete newcomers. Another interesting feature is the way the XLR output is always active, even when the MV7+ is connected via USB‑C to a computer, an iPad, or an Android device: What this means in practice is that a data‑reduced signal can be streamed while a high‑quality, uncompressed audio recording is captured at the same time. A neat bonus is the fact the LED panel can be configured in different ways: Aside from using it to display input levels, artists can freely select a combination of any three colours and set them to either glow continuously or pulse rhythmically.
The American company Shure began developing microphones during the early 1930s and is one of the pioneers of the audio engineering sector. Models such as the 55 Unidyne – known to many as the "Elvis microphone" – and the SM57 and SM58 which appeared in the mid-1960s are still ubiquitous in live sound production today. They enjoy cult status among musicians and technicians alike. In the 1990s, Shure introduced the first wireless microphones and in-ear monitoring systems and became a market leader in this field. In addition to microphones, Shure offers a wide range of earphones and headphones for studio and live use, as well as various accessories.
The Shure MV7+ is designed especially for podcasters and streamers, but it's also a great fit for YouTube studios with a boom arm, where it instantly creates a genuine radio vibe, both visually and sonically. It's hard to miss its family ties to the Shure SM7B – the very mic Metallica frontman James Hetfield sings with. Vocal recordings with a touch of Rock 'n' Roll attitude? Shure! Some less spectacular but equally useful contexts are video conferencing and livestreaming (it's PS5 compatible too, by the way). However it's used, the MV7+ will function with a huge range of devices, be it a workstation in a professional video studio or a smartphone in a hotel room. Even in a recording studio, the MV7+ won't feel out of place, thanks too to its maximum sound pressure level of 128dB.