The Shure SM7 dynamic microphone has a rich history dating back to the early 1930s, with its breakthrough moment being the recording of Michael Jackson's vocals on his hit album 'Thriller', leading to its inclusion in numerous hit songs.
The Shure SM7 experienced a resurgence in popularity driven by the rise of podcasting and streaming, with its outstanding performance and ability to reject ambient noise making it a favorite among podcasters and streamers.
Deep dives
The Shure SM7: A Prolific and Important Microphone
The Shure SM7 is considered one of the most prolific and important microphones of the last two decades. It has been used by musicians, podcasters, and streamers worldwide. The microphone's history dates back more than 80 years, starting with the founding of Shure as a radio parts company. The company ventured into the microphone business in the early 1930s, and it was the hiring of engineer Ben Bauer that propelled Shure's success. Bauer created numerous inventions during his career, including the Uniphase Acoustical Network, which led to the development of the first Shure Unidyne microphone. This groundbreaking microphone became iconic, especially with its use by musicians like Elvis Presley. The Unidyne technology continued to evolve, resulting in the popular S M series of microphones, including the widely recognized S M 58.
The SM7's Impact on Voice Recording and Rock Music
The Shure SM7 found success primarily in voice recording applications, initially with voice-over studios and radio stations. Its breakthrough came when engineer Bruce Swiden used the microphone to record Michael Jackson's vocals on his hit album, 'Thriller.' Musicians and artists soon recognized the unique characteristics of the SM7, leading to its inclusion in numerous hit songs. The microphone's ability to capture vocals with clarity and isolate sounds makes it a favorite among singers who like to get up close to the microphone. It became a popular choice for music genres like rock and roll, with artists such as Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones using the SM7 for their recordings.
The SM7's Rise in Podcasting and Streaming
The Shure SM7 experienced a resurgence in popularity in the mid-2000s, driven by the rise of podcasting. Podcasters recognized its outstanding performance and began recommending it to others, leading to increased sales. The microphone's ability to reject ambient noise and provide a rich, deep sound made it highly suitable for podcast recording. Streamers in the gaming community also started using the SM7 for their broadcasts, taking advantage of its excellent voice isolation and ability to capture low frequencies. Today, thousands of podcasts and streams rely on the SM7 to deliver professional-quality audio.
Since their founding almost a century ago, Shure has created some of the most iconic microphones ever made. In this episode, we worked with Shure to tell the story of the SM7 dynamic microphone: from its humble beginnings in voiceover studios in the early 70s, to its use on classic albums, to its rediscovery by podcasters and streamers.