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What is it?
In today’s increasingly online world, it seems that everyone is a podcaster. Recently, the Shure MV7 and MV7+ became the favored microphone choices of podcasters for their excellent vocal clarity and internal DSP capabilities.
Now Shure offers the MV7i, which offers the same outstanding sound quality, ease of use and internal DSP of these mics with the added benefit of a built-in 2-channel audio interface and combo XLR and ¼-inch input to provide a simple, streamlined recording or audio streaming rig that’s ideal for studio and on-location applications.
Specs
- Launch price: $349/£329/€369
- Type: Recording microphone and audio interface
- Controls: (via app) Auto level mode with Smart Gate, high-pass filter (off/75 Hz/150 Hz), real-time denoiser, digital Popper Stopper and reverb (plate, hall, studio) functions plus customizable tone and sound signature (speech, singing, acoustic/instrument), gain, EQ, compression and limiter controls for each channel
- Connectivity: USB-C, combo 1/4″/XLR input jack
- Contact: Shure
Usability and sounds
Like its MV7 and MV7+ predecessors, the MV7i is a dynamic cardioid mic that connects directly to a Mac/PC computer or iOS/Android phone or tablet via USB-C.
To control both channels and the MV7i’s DSP features, you’ll need to download the free MOTIV Mix desktop or MOTIV Audio mobile app. MOTIV provides auto level mode with Smart Gate, high-pass filter (off/75 Hz/150 Hz), real-time denoiser, digital Popper Stopper and reverb (plate, hall, studio) functions plus customizable tone and sound signature (speech, singing, acoustic/instrument), gain, EQ, compression and limiter controls for each channel.
Muting for each channel can be engaged by tapping the LED panel on the mic itself, and the multi-color LED makes it easy to monitor levels.
Setup is simple and uncluttered. A USB-C cable connects the mic to the computer or mobile device, and a second sound source (additional mic, guitar, synth keyboard, etc.) plugs into the combo input jack.
In addition to controls for each channel’s settings, the MOTIV software includes a simple recording function that can be set up to capture stereo, mixdown or multi-track mixes and save them in the app’s Library section where you can later perform basic editing functions like trimming and splitting.
Like its predecessors the MV7 and MV7+, the MV7i is an excellent vocal mic that provides a slick, pro broadcaster polish to almost any voice with outstanding clarity and low-noise operation.
The MOTIV software’s auto level, Smart Gate, real-time denoiser and Popper Stopper functions are like having an engineer constantly monitoring and making crucial adjustments to keep the vocal audio signal pristine.
When using a direct electric guitar, I found that its signal would usually drown out the vocal mic when both inputs used the auto level settings, but it was easily tamed by using the software’s manual level setting for the guitar input.
You can connect the mic/interface directly to a DAW on your computer or mobile device
If you plan on using MOTIV’s recording capabilities to record podcasts, I recommend using the combo input for a second microphone rather than plugging an electric guitar or other instrument direct to the input.
If you’re fine with the sound of direct electric guitar with only reverb and light compression, go ahead and plug it in, but if you want distortion, various effects and speaker cabinet emulation you’ll need to connect an external processor between the guitar and the MV7i’s input.
However, since the MV7i is both a mic and 2-channel audio interface, you can connect the mic/interface directly to a DAW on your computer or mobile device and insert your favorite guitar processor there.
Verdict
Verdict: ★★★★½
Guitar World verdict: Combining the excellent vocal audio capturing capabilities of the acclaimed Shure MV7+ mic with a 2-channel audio interface, the Shure MV7i is an affordable and extremely useful creative tool for podcasting, streaming and studio or location recording that provides helpful processing for delivering consistent professional-sounding results.
Hands-on videos
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