Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (9)
$669.99
Guitar Center
5.0 (59)
$439.00
Reverb
5.0 (12)
$59.99 15 available Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (514)
$439.00
zZounds
4.5 (28)
$439.00
B&H
4.8 (151)
$439.00
Thomann
4.9 (2053)
$389.00
Vintage King
4.9 (11)
$439.00

Average Price: $417

High-end/Boutique

$75

$201+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Shure SM7". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash your inner music maestro with the Shure SM7, a dynamic cardioid microphone that has etched its place in the annals of music history. Renowned for its usage by Michael Jackson on the iconic "Thriller," this mic stands as a testament to its superior sound quality. Without a humbucking coil, the Shure SM7 provides a brighter sound, often preferred by musicians over the SM7A and SM7B models. It's a piece of gear that doesn't just record music, it crafts an authentic sonic experience.

Key Features:

  • Dynamic cardioid microphone
  • No humbucking coil for brighter sound
  • Used by Michael Jackson on "Thriller"
  • Preferred by many over the SM7A and SM7B models
  • Ideal for studio recording and live performances

Product specs

Brand Shure
Model SM7 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
Finish Black
Year 1980s
Categories Microphones
Electronics Passive
Microphone Type Dynamic
Polar Pattern Cardioid
Wired/Wireless Wired

FAQs

What is the primary application for the Shure SM7 microphone?

The Shure SM7 is primarily used for vocals and speech, providing a warm, smooth tone ideal for broadcasting, studio recording, and voiceovers.

How does the Shure SM7 reduce unwanted noise during recordings?

The Shure SM7 features an internal shockmount to reduce vibrations and a built-in pop filter to eliminate plosives, ensuring clean, professional-grade recordings.

What is the polar pattern of the Shure SM7, and how does it affect recording?

The Shure SM7 has a cardioid polar pattern, which isolates sound by focusing on the source directly in front of the microphone while minimizing background noise.

Is the Shure SM7 suitable for recording loud instruments?

Yes, the Shure SM7 can handle high sound pressure levels up to 180dB, making it suitable for recording loud sources without distortion.

Does the Shure SM7 require an external pop filter?

No, the Shure SM7 includes an integrated pop filter that effectively eliminates plosives, so an external pop filter is not necessary.

Obscure Mics

Obscure Mics

Original Shure SM7 Dynamic Microphone Demo - Vintage Shure Mic

Video thumbnail for Original Shure SM7 Dynamic Microphone Demo - Vintage Shure Mic by Obscure Mics

Original Shure SM7 Dynamic Microphone Demo - Vintage Shure Mic

Obscure Mics

Obscure Mics

Reviews

PROS

  • Original design offers more high-end fidelity for sung vocals

  • Provides a unique sound with more low-mid presence

  • Legendary status as Michael Jackson's preferred mic adds unique appeal

  • Versatile for both screaming and alternative vocals

  • Offers excellent sound rejection for studio use

  • Performs well on amplifiers and various instruments

  • Comparable to a condenser mic in aggression and clarity

  • Superior to SM57 and SM58 in cleanliness and size

CONS

  • Requires significant gain, potentially needing additional equipment like a CloudLifter

  • The SM7b may have a slightly bigger bottom end and sound more open

Critic Reviews

Shure: SM7 microphone | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

The Shure SM7 microphone, often overshadowed by its famous counterpart, the SM57, shines in versatility and affordability. Praised for its use on Michael Jackson's Thriller, this dynamic mic is a hidden gem for studio engineers, excelling in vocals and various instruments. It competes with higher-end mics despite its modest price, making it a top choice for budget-conscious projects. While not widely recognized, its performance rivals expensive condensers, offering a broad frequency response and dynamic range. A well-kept secret, the SM7 is a reliable workhorse and a worthy investment for any studio setup.

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Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

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wanya7

Best Dynamic Vocal Mic All Rounder

Best Dynamic Vocal Mic All Rounder

Needs a lot of Gain but I only use the Best PreAmps with plenty Gain so no issue for me - but you might want a CloudLifter if you on a cheap interface...

Want a Dynamic Mic that sounds like a Condenser?

Yeah its Aggressive & Not a Soft Mic like a U47 but are you Rap Rock Hard Pop or Voiceover? Are you a Man (Screeching Banshee Woman) or a Mouse?

This is your Mic! - You know? - The one Michael Jackson used on Lead Vocals on Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, The Way You Make Me Feel & Bad (Bruce Swedien my Mentor RIP)

Excellent Rejection you can have it on in the Studio in front of your Monitors doing a Scratch Vocal

Works well on Amps & other stuff

Clean as a SM57 & Bigger & Cleaner than a SM58 on Acid!

Stop reading this silly review & get this MOFO in front of your Talent! - If you've got any?

From Gear Setup
jeromy

Most used mic

Just needs a lot of gain before it gets good.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jessy Lanza uses Shure SM7

Jessy Lanza

Singer, Music Producer

...
Verified via Dummymag

Jessy Lanza: “It works for my voice...I had this other mic, an Apex microphone with a cap on it, but it sounded like shit so for ‘Oh No’ we used the SM 7.”

See how Alex Newport uses Shure SM7

Alex Newport

Singer, Guitarist

Nailbomb

...
Verified via SonicScoop

"the main vocal was the Shure SM7- another mic that’s not terrifically expensive. It’s very directional and will take EQ really well."

See how Jakob Dylan uses Shure SM7

Jakob Dylan

Singer, Guitarist

The Wallflowers

...
Verified via Mixonline

The Shure SM7 was used for all of Jakob’s vocals on his record “Seeing Things”.

See how Hank Williams III uses Shure SM7

Hank Williams III

Bassist

Superjoint Ritual

...
Verified via Mixonline

Used for vocals on Straight to Hell, as stated in this May 1, 2006 Mix Online interview.

The room where the vocals, guitars and bass were recorded for disc one was a relatively large one, with 15-foot ceilings. While there was no official baffling, Hank III reports that they recorded the vocals and acoustic guitars tucked in a corner. In keeping with the minimalist approach, few microphones were used during those tracking dates and just three kinds: Shure SM7, SM57 and KSM32. Hank III sang into the SM7, used the 57 on his acoustic guitar and kept a KSM32 going at all times to capture room vocal and guitar tracks that were later blended in.

See how Gary Louris uses Shure SM7

Gary Louris

Singer, Guitarist

Jayhawks

...
Verified via Mixonline

Used for vocals on XOXO, as stated by engineer Nick Tveitbakk in this October 28, 2020 Mix Online interview.

Acoustic guitars were miked with an AKG C414EB and a Coles 4038 side by side, and vocals went into Neumann U47 and Shure SM7 mics, also side by side, to provide a range of textures. Acoustic guitars were miked with an AKG C414EB and a Coles 4038 side by side, and vocals went into Neumann U47 and Shure SM7 mics, also side by side, to provide a range of textures. “We’re always going for keeper vocals, so the option is there,” Tveitbakk says.

See how Eric Burton uses Shure SM7

Eric Burton

Singer, Guitarist

Black Pumas

...
Verified via Photo

Used for vocals on Black Pumas, as shared in this January 16, 2020 Instagram post by the band.

#tbt to the beginning of Black Pumas, an early recording session in 2017 at Electric Deluxe Recorders in Austin, TX. 📷: @cristian.sigler #blackpumas #ericburton #adrianquesada #electricdeluxerecorders

J

Joakim

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via CROWDSPACER STUDIO NYC

According to a list of equipment which is used in his studio, Crowdspacer, Joakim is also a user of Shure SM7.

See how Common uses Shure SM7

Common

Rapper

Soulquarians

...
Verified via YouTube

One of three mics used for his feature on Pete Rock's "Verbal Murder 2", as is visible in Soul Survivor's documentary at 17:54.

See how John Cunningham (Producer) uses Shure SM7

John Cunningham (Producer)

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via reddit

SM7 (used for Sad) a lot on U87, also Manley Reference Cardioid.

See how Bruce Swedien uses Shure SM7

Bruce Swedien

Music Producer

...
Verified via Soundonsound

In an article from Sound on Sound titled "Bruce Swedien: Recording Michael Jackson," it is revealed that Bruce Swedien consistently used the Shure SM7, an original 1980s model, for Michael Jackson's vocals. Swedien owned several of these microphones, but one, in particular, was his favorite and was used for capturing Jackson's lead vocals on iconic tracks such as "Billie Jean," "Thriller," "Beat It," "Bad," and "The Way You Make Me Feel."

H

Hunter Brown

Guitarist, Keyboardist

STS9

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"I use a Royer R-121 and Shure SM7 and sometimes a Sennheiser MD 421 on my cab. That’s going through a Retro compressor, a Burl Mothership [analog to digital converter], an Empirical Labs Fatso compressor, and a Dangerous Music BAX EQ. That signal chain’s amazing, but everything else is just coming through my pedalboard."

See how Austin Dickey uses Shure SM7

Austin Dickey

Singer

For The Likes Of You

...
Verified via YouTube

Austin uses an sm7 vocal mic in this video. For this video Jarred Dines Got several friends to sing on a song written about their friend Shanon who had died. Austin was one of the featured vocalists in this song

Album Usage

The Shure SM7 has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Shure SM7, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
8
Neumann U67
Neumann U67 Condenser Microphones
6
Neumann M149 Tube
Neumann M149 Tube Condenser Microphones
5
Neumann U87
Neumann U87 Condenser Microphones
5
Urei 1176 LN Revision H
Urei 1176 LN Revision H Effects Processors
5
Sennheiser MD 421-II
Sennheiser MD 421-II Dynamic Microphones
4
AMS Neve 1081 Mic Preamp & Equalizer
4
Avid HD I/O
Avid HD I/O Audio Interfaces
4

Community setups

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wanya7

wanya7

Gear IQ 1824

wanya7

wanya7

Gear IQ 1824

wanya7

wanya7

Gear IQ 1824

2 alternative and related items for Shure SM7, curated by the Equipboard community.

Shure SM7A
Vintage or Discontinued newer

Produced for only two years, the SM7A was the successor of the SM7: https://service.shure.com/s/article/sm7-sm7a-sm7b-differences

SM7 - Introduced 1973 with a U.S. retail price of $256.80.

SM7A - Humbucking coil improved; design of the mic mounting yoke also improved. Introduced 1999.

SM7B - Larger foam windscreen added. Introduced 2001.

More Shure Dynamic Microphones

Accessories & Related Items

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    jeromy
    jeromy

    Gear IQ 238