Microphone is a very basic audio equipment that all who are working with audio or even video have to use and own one at some point. They are also one of the keys for audio quality yet, not all microphones are made to be the same hence it is important to choose the best options such as Shure SM7B Vs Rode NT1A. These popular models are ideal for vocals and recording but, do check what they can offer below first before deciding on which you should go with.
In this article, we are going to give you information about:
- Which Microphone to Purchase
- What are Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A
- What Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A Look Like
- How are the Specification of Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A
- How are the Performance of Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A
- What else Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A can offer
- Shure SM7B Vs RODE NT1A
Microphone Options
Some people are capturing moments with cameras and producing still images that can show what happened at a certain time, some people are capturing moments but with playback properties so then we can enjoy and see what we have seen and experienced in that certain moment, and some of us are capturing sound for different purposes. It is for playback reasons and similarly, the key of capturing anything is the tool itself because they can affect the result very much and chances are they will also get affected by what you are trying to capture.
Microphone is the tool we use to capture sound and this basic tool is everywhere now from your headsets, earphone, smart watch, smartphone, laptops, etc. They are going to capture your voice or sound around the user and send it to another component for storage or processing depending on what you are currently doing. While all microphones will do the same job, not all of them are the same and ideal for all applications which is why it is necessary to choose based on their purpose.
Activity is probably the first part we consider when buying a microphone because different activity will ask for different microphones. A handheld for example will be ideal for practical application such as live vocal and performance. They can be with cable or wireless depending on which seems more convenient but with the price of less clutter we may have to sacrifice the frequency response as it may be less reliable at times and we also have to pay attention to the battery.
Place is an important point as well since the environment will play a huge role in which microphone to use. For example the omnidirectional type is picking sound from any direction and is great when used in a studio but you will not want to use it in a crowded space where there are so many sounds coming from all directions that we don’t want to capture. In this case cardioid or super cardioid is better because they reject the sound from other directions but the front to reduce feedback. Read also: Rode NT USB vs NT1A.
| Shure SM7B | Rode NT1A | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 7.47 x 3.78 x 5.81 inches | 15.25 x 4.5 x 11 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 2.03 pounds | 4.6 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
Sound is probably the most important for most people and the type of microphone does affect how it sounds in general. For example, the dynamic microphone which is the most popular type we use today is highly durable and in terms of sound it has a warm and full sound, ideal for live music or gigs. On the other hand those who want to capture bright and detailed sound will go for a condenser microphone that is more often being used in the studio for recording purposes.
About Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A
There are lots to consider when looking for a microphone but everything will be decided by what you need since we also may want this microphone for different applications. But, if you are here then it means they are going to be used in a studio or at least for recording and streaming purposes or not intended to do live performance. For this type of activity, a cardioid microphone will be the most ideal option to choose because it won’t capture from the rear.
There are tons to choose from when you look for a cardioid microphone but most of them are very reliable with some differences in terms of the sound color or character yet, the differences are usually not like a night and day in items from the same price range. For the best product quality, we do recommend finding well-known names because they are more promising and usually they also have tons of models and price points to choose from such as those from Shure and Rode.
We are sure most people are familiar with these names because they are very much popular among audio equipment users due to their amazing microphones but, they may have some differences too when it comes to the real products. From their best-selling options we have Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A which are equally well-known among streamers and podcasters as two great companions in your journey but, we also think they are ideal for vocals and recording activities without burdening us with a hefty price.
They are not the most affordable as you can find lots that are cheaper than these two but for the quality they can offer, Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A are indeed affordable. They are able to capture a clean and crisp sound for your listener to enjoy. They are good for small studios in our house or even in a professional setup as well. Overall, they are an equally good option and chances are you will love just any of them.
Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A Design
Moving into their build and external quality, starting with Shure this microphone is clearly built to last. The unit itself is made with an all metal construction and with a hinge mounting that allows the microphone to be angled up to certain degree to follow your comfortable height. On the bottom of the mic there are low cut and mid boost switches which are very difficult to flick somehow. There seems no internal suspension system in this microphone to handle noise and handling bump into the stand.
While Shure is full matte and black, the Rode NT1A is silver and when it comes to build quality, it is very well made too but this model will give you a shock mount in the box and a small pouch to keep the microphone away despite there is no padding at all here. The shock mount is nice however, it feels solid including the filter that is attached firmly and not flimsy at all. It has no switch or anything on the unit but the port itself.
Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A Specification
Moving further, let’s see what these microphones can offer and starting from the type, they are already very different from this part since the Shure is a dynamic microphone while the latter Rode is a condenser type. Naturally, the NT1A will capture more sound from the surrounding than Shure which is why SM7B is preferred by those streamers to prevent capturing too much from their room. For the polar pattern however, they are the same with cardioid pattern which means they will mostly take sound from the front and sides.
Most podcasters are using cardioid microphones because they can clearly capture what’s in front of it while ignoring the sounds from other directions. In addition, they are forgiving because even when not precisely placed, they can still work well, making them great for musicians as well when trying to record various sound sources especially in live performance.
Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A Performance
For the performance itself, we do think Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A are sounding very good and ideal for different types of application but probably for people with different tastes because at the end it is always which sounds better on your ears. With the pop filter Shure is flatter in our opinion, it sounds very neutral and this is probably the best for podcasting or just audio streaming and content making in general. For Rode, this microphone is slightly brighter in comparison.
It seems that the unit is more ideal for vocalists and used in a music recording situation because it certainly captures the highs of people’s voices so it is not going to sound as flat as the Shure. However, if this is the type of sound you are looking for then it will be a great idea to choose it.
Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A Features
The last part we want to mention is the additional features and in this part only Shure SM7B that comes with a feature and as we have mentioned above, it is the small switch located at the bottom of the microphone which function is for low cut and mid boost. These switches will alter the sound color of this microphone and give you an alternative to how it sounds which is great as you can pick what setting fits in your ears better but, personally, we do like the flat option best.
Shure SM7B vs Rode NT1A
Both Shure SM7B and RODE NT1A are an amazing option for people who are looking to buy a new microphone for their setup. They can easily be your daily driver but in comparison Shure is probably flatter, it has this neutral sound that fits in most people’s ears while also very affordable. But, for vocal heavy application, NT1A seems more capable for studio recording to capture the most of your voice.
Conclusion
All in all the choice is all yours as we may have different taste but if you are here for podcast or broadcast microphone, we highly recommend Shure SM7B as it sounds amazing, very affordable, and even has features to tweak its sound.