Shure - MV7i

[This](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MV7I--shure-mv7i-smart-mic-and-interface?cond=MV7Id2&dhla=1&mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=&mrkgbflag=&mrkgcat=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=92700080545189986&lid=92700080545189986&ds_s_kwgid=58700008752923992&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000007215323&dsproductgroupid=2332284544969&product_id=MV7Id2&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=m&network=g&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=9191238&creative=708042360187&targetid=aud-297527862170:pla-2332284544969&campaignid=21517650372&awsearchcpc=1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21517650372&gclsrc=ds) Is the new model that has the interface built in. It's an option. Personally, I do music stuff with separate lines in and MIDI and all that so I like having a whole external interface

I'd get the Shure MV7. USB and XLR output so you can flex if your needs change. And you can get it with a boom arm and a good set of headphones for half your budget.

Keep in mind that with something like the Shure SM7B, you will need an audio interface for your PC that has an XLR input. You'll also probably either need to buy the model that has a built-in pre-amp or buy one of your own. Personally I recommend the Shure MV7. The one I have has both USB and XLR so I was able to get started with just USB and then upgrade to an audio interface down the line. I'm very happy with the sound as are a number of my streamer friends. I've used it both for Twitch and for recording voice-over for YouTube videos. It's also less expensive than the SM7B if you're trying to save a little money starting out. I will say that in my experience this type of microphone does best being reasonably close to your face, if that's going to be an issue for you while painting miniatures and such I might look into a lapel mic or something as well

Big fan of the Shure MV7! Myself and lots of friends use them. They have a new one now that has an on board interface, haven't used it though. My old Focusrite Solo interface started acting weird after about 7 years, so I just replaced it with a Behringer UMC204HD that I've been happy with so far

I'm a big fan of the Shure MV7. I've had mine for about 5 years now and it's grown with me from USB to full XLR with an interface. A little cheaper than the SM7B, though I'm not as familiar with the new models

You'll want a dynamic mic, it will be better at rejecting mouth and room sounds and constrain the volume range somewhat naturally. The tradeoff is you'll most likely need to set it near your mouth and be aware to keep your mouth near it when streaming, off-axis sound will fall off fast. I use a Shure MV7 as another commenter suggested and it's been great. I use a large foam filter off an SM7B to break up plosives and such a little bit more. It can kind of upgrade with you because it is both USB and XLR. So I started on USB and then moved up to an XLR interface. I've been streaming 3 years and I'm only now looking to upgrade from the MV7 because I make my streams into long-form videos that people put on in the background or even sleep to so I'm looking to squeeze the last bit of smoothness out of a nicer mic

Shure MV7i and MV7+ combo The “i” will be the interface for the “+”, and eliminate the issue with echo and cancellation since there is only one input to the computer. The correct solution is the cheapest solution.

I use SM7b’s and I would recommend the MV7i if you ever plan to use a second mic, or the MV7+ for direct to computer use. They connect directly with USB-C cables. If you have the budget then yes an interface like a Shure MVX2u or focusright into the SM7bd will sound about 20% better at twice the cost. The SM7b will need a cloudlifter between the interface and mic, whereas the SM7db has it already built into the mic. And just for fun check out Colorware.com where they can customize which ever Shure Mic you go with.

I started with the AT2020. The biggest hurdle will be room treatment. This mic will pick up EVERYTHING. "XLR is better" people are silly. This IS the regular cardioid AT2020 with a basic interface built in. Its D-tier, but it's a start. From experience, I would suggest that you save your money and buy something higher quality that will last you longer into your career. I personally like dynamic mics. The Shure MV6 or MV7i would be slightly better in my opinion.

Oh yes.. I was going to say the same this as Remote. Look at the MV7i or MV7+ instead. It's got USB-C so it hooks up directly. If you don't know what you need, you probably don't need a mixer etc etc. MV7i gives you an XLR \*input\* into the microphone, so you could hook up a second mic, or an instrument. The MV7+ is a regular mic with USB-C and XLR \*output\*, so you can use it directly with the mac or eventually hook it up to a mixer.

OK, I see from previous replies that you're really a gamer with $500 burning a hole in his pocket and don't plan to record anything. What your AI assistant doesn't know is that Shure has released a bunch of modern versions of their classic SM7B because the original was kind of a hothouse flower that required a ton of gain. The MV7x you mentioned is one of those, but it has an XLR output and requires an audio interface and then you have to get the gain structure set correctly. The MV7+ doesn't need an interface because it can connect via USB. For an extra $100, you can get a MV7i, which has an extra combo input on the back in case you ever do want to do an interview or record a guitar solo. All of these MV7 versions are voiced a little more forward than a SM7B, and they have a more aggressive bass roll-off to compensate for proximity effect. Shure assumed that podcasters wouldn't know how to use EQ productively, and they were probably correct. Everyone who suggested entry-level recording mics missed the use case. It's voice-over in a completely untreated room. This is the right tool for that. (I actually use a RE20 for the same purpose, but it's another hothouse flower that needs a great preamp/interface. Leave it for the pros.)

I had a bog standard mic when I started. I recently purchased a MV7. Like you, I fell down a research rabbit hole trying to pick. I decided to go with the MV7 because it offered auto-levelling and provided a 'dark' tone option, which I felt would suit my voice. I did not go for the MV7+ because of a few reviews indicating it was a bit of a step back. I'm happy with the MV7 so far. The only negative feedback I found was indications that the cord can come loose. This hasn't happened yet but I'll be keeping an eye out. Although it has definitely improved the audio quality, I don't know if it's to a major degree. If you have the budget, I'd recommend a Shure, but I also think an entry-level mic is fine to start with.

Yes, these often have microphone inputs too. The Fiio KA11 doesn't appear to have microphone input. There are others available such as https://amzn.eu/d/68yGZ3T and https://amzn.eu/d/aDp9fNq (for balanced microphones) but they do take up desk space. We use Shure and Røde microphones in the studio and these are really good but not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. If it's just for yelling abuse at people in COD, go for a cheap logitech https://amzn.eu/d/frqVbHK but if you absolutely need clarity, the Shure MV7 is a good choice and a microphone arm doesn't have to break the bank (again, the more expensive ones are luxury)

I think both are solid mics. I’ve used the MV7 but not the Podmic USB. That said, I’ve been very impressed with Rode’s other devices.  I would probably give a slight edge to the Podmic USB, but I don’t think either one is a bad choice. 

You can also look into the Shure MV7. It's like the SMB7s little brother...

I don't own a SMB7 so i can't really compare the two but the mic does what it is supposed to do for sure. I watched some videos before buying it and liked the sound of it better than the SMB7... But to be real with you i own two mics: The MV7 and a Rode NT1A which isn't much more expensive and i exclusively use the Rode for recording (screaming vocals that is) because i think it has a richer sound...

I have a Rode NT1A as well as a Shure MV7. I mostly use the NT1A because it sounds brighter (so kind of the opposite of your situation) which is why the Shure MV7 or the SM7B might be something to look into for you... I don't think there's a mic specifically made for lower voices but a lot of shouters use those Shure mic as well...

I’m an audio engineer with an MV7. It sounds nearly identical to the SM7B when used with an interface. AudioHaze has a solid video on it. Great starter mic.

Agreed. I’m also an audio engineer and while the mv7 is solid as a budget or beginner mic, it lacks the sound that is expected for a professional project. It may sound near identical to the SM7B, but no one is using that for v/o work either.