There are so many good microphones for versatility, such as Lewitt LCT 440 Pure Vs Shure SM7B. These microphones are perfect for everyone who wants a reliable microphone for different purposes especially broadcasting. They sound pleasant and easy to use, but they are also different so let’s see what they can offer before deciding.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Which Microphone to Buy
- What are Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B
- How are the Unit of Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B
- How are the Setups of Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B
- How are the Sound Characters of Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B
- What else Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B can offer
- How is the Performance of Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B
- Lewitt LCT 440 Pure Vs Shure SM7B
Choosing a Microphone
Working with audio is complicated, but you will need to choose the setup and equipment. There are many good microphones to consider based on what you want to achieve and what the equipment can offer. The best microphone will be the one that can capture your sound accurately without introducing any coloration, but accurate microphones may not be the best for you. People tend to choose the mic that flatters their voice the most or sounds pleasant according to their preference.
In general, microphones are separated into condensers and dynamics. The difference is in the microphone component and the performance. Condenser tends to capture more from your sound source, but they are less durable than a dynamic, so they are ideal for vocals and acoustic guitars in a recording studio. The dynamic microphone is more suitable for live applications and recording electric guitars because it works better for louder instruments with more low to mid frequencies. You can use both for speech or broadcasting, depending on the setup.
Besides the microphone type, you can find microphones with different connectivity options. The standard connectivity is XLR cable, which can come with the kit or buy separately. XLR mics require other equipment to connect with your computer or machine with no proper port. Today, microphones come with USB connectors for both computers and compact smart devices. They will be a fantastic choice if you are recording on the go or want the most straightforward setup.
| Lewitt LCT 440 Pure | Shure SM7B | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 2.04 x 1.42 x 5.43 inches | 13.3 x 7.2 x 4.8 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 1.7 pounds | 2.03 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
About Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B
There are so many good microphones to choose from, and it is wise to get one that you enjoy using. Selecting one for singing is probably the most time-consuming because different vocalists or singers may need a different microphone to highlight the best part of their voice. If you only use the mic to record spoken words like in broadcasting, then a mic that sounds neutral or a bit warm will be an exciting option. Warmer microphones tend to be more pleasant for speech.
You may want to consider the budget too because microphones are available at a varying price points. The most attractive options you can count on in the affordable range are Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B. These microphones are very popular for their sound and build quality, so many love them. The SM7B is one of the most popular broadcasting mics nowadays, and we can see why. This mic is not only built like a tank but also sounds pleasant, especially for broadcasting purposes.
The LCT 440 Pure is more famous for recording vocals, but we found this mic versatile enough for other applications, at least for speech, guitar amp, and acoustic guitars. Does it mean the SM7B is terrible for recording vocals? No, we think the mic is impressive for singing even though it is more famous for being a broadcasting one. It is warm but not boomy, making it relatively versatile for other recording purposes or music.
However, the LCT 440 Pure will be the better choice if you record many guitars, primarily acoustic, because we think the top end of this mic is more pleasant for this type of instrument. The SM7B is excellent for electricity, but it is lacking for the acoustic part. Both mics are attractive and worth buying, but we recommend matching them with the application. Read also: Lewitt LCT 440 Pure Vs TLM 102 here.
Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B Microphones
Before checking what the Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B can offer, let’s look at the unit first. This Lewitt microphone is more affordable than Shure, but it gives you more in the box. The mic comes with a shock mount and mounts attached to the accessory. It also gives you a popup filter that looks like a mic cover encloses the grille. The mic includes a pouch without any pad, so it is not protective but beneficial for storage.
Similarly, the SM7B also comes with some accessories. The mic itself is already attached to the microphone mount, and it comes with an adapter to connect to the boom arm. The mic has a thin foam cover, but it gives a thicker foam for a more effective plosives rejection. The unit is bigger than LCT 440 Pure and heavier too. But, the build qualities of these microphones are equally robust, and they are made of all metal without any noticeable flex. As for the connectivity, the two are using an XLR cable.
Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B Setup
Now come to the most important part, let’s see what the Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B can offer starting from the setup. What to note is that LCT 440 Pure is a condenser mic, so you will need to supply the unit with a 48V phantom power. This microphone will require connecting an audio interface or a mixer and other power supply. The SM7B is a dynamic mic, so it doesn’t need the phantom power but make sure your preamp is powerful because it will require a high gain.
Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B Sound Character
Next, let’s see how they sound because this is a vital part of a microphone. The mics sound lovely and clean, which is the key to a broadcasting mic and slightly different. The SM7B is a bit warm and rounded on the low end, but it is neither overly boomy nor dark. The LCT 440 Pure is more detailed, especially on the high frequency, which makes your voice sound more prominent. However, the mic doesn’t have a presence boost like the TLM 201.
The spoken words are amazing, and you can count on them for broadcasting, making podcasts, or doing voice-overs. The LCT 440 Pure sounds brighter, which is suitable if you often record string instruments, especially acoustic guitars. The elevated high frequency is ideal for bringing a live nuance to your recording and capturing its best part. The body is there without overpowering the highs. As for electric guitar, both Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B is good.
With Shure SM7B, we think the electric guitar sounds more prominent when it is recorded solo, but in a band setup, the difference may not be as noticeable in the mix. Overall these microphones are versatile, but if you record or sing with acoustic guitars, the sound of LCT 440 Pure will be livelier.
Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B Features
One thing that we want in LCT 440 Pure is added features because it will make the mic even more versatile and attractive, but it doesn’t have any. On the other hand, SM7B is coming with some. You can find a pair of switches at the bottom of the mic. We can protect this panel with the included cover to prevent accidental activation. But, it is a deep switch that requires a thin panel or nails to access, so we think it is very safe even without the cover.
This switch is for low-cut filter and mid boost. The switches can be helpful depending on the recording circumstances. We prefer the flat mode with both controls off because it is the most flattering, but you can use the low cut to reduce rumble or low-frequency sound and mid boost if you like this sound character.
Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B Performance
Lastly, the Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B are fantastic for the overall performance. They are great-sounding mic and also very durable. There is no concern when installing and using the mic, including the plastic shock mount of LCT 440 Pure, because it works very well. There is none to tweak on this microphone, so it is more straightforward. On the other hand, Shure SM7B is also simple, but you can adjust the sound directly on the unit. You can get a pretty boomy sound as well using the recording software.
Our only complaint about SM7B is the high gain because, without any cloud lifter, our gain is almost at 100%. But, while investing in cloud lifters is excellent to reduce around half of it, the cost adds up quickly, with SM7B already cost higher than many broadcasting mics.
Lewitt LCT 440 Pure Vs Shure SM7B
Both Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and Shure SM7B are good microphones depending on which seem to work best in your application. The most noticeable difference is their sound character because LCT 440 Pure is more elevated on the high frequency making this mic perfect for vocals and acoustic guitar. It gives great articulation to your words, so it is suitable for broadcasting too. The SM7B is excellent for speech and electric guitar but lacks sparks on the top end.
Conclusion
There is no wrong choice if your purpose is for broadcasting. But, we recommend the LCT 440 Pure because it is more versatile, affordable, and works well if you already have equipment with phantom power. The mic is helpful for singing, broadcasting, and recording guitars.