I just got into this stuff a couple of weeks ago, and I have learned so much about microphones. Now onto interfaces and preamps. I have no idea what these things are! Educate me, Sound Gods!!!
I watched this video years ago, and im still coming back to it. I used my Procaster for 4 years now, and today I ordered the Broadcaster. Im soooo excited!
The reason the SM7B sounds muffled "like it has a veil over it" is because it does! That black foam windscreen (even the thinner one) is quite substantial and with it secured by the black ring at the base it significantly degrades the sound. Taking off the foam transforms the SM7B into a different mic, with noticeably better clarity and definition across the spectrum. More presence and air, and yes, a bit more sibilant, but overall a distinctly cleaner sound. Looks a little odd at first. Put a decent pop filter in front of a foamless SM7B and see what you think. - And a huge Thank You! for generously producing and sharing these videos. You are coaching and mentoring an enormous number of people who use voice in a diversity of personal and professional pursuits.
For radio (or podcasts) that hypes the high mids with multiband compressors a lot that veil is will actual help a ton. But for regular spoken voice I agree, get a nylon popfilter for that thing. It's beautiful.
Exactly the sound of the SM7b sounds like it is in a closet ..... take any condenser mic put a fat thick windscreen leave some air space and you sound similar to the sm7b.... BUT you don't look as cool.....
It is funny because this video made me decide years ago to go for that Broadcaster mic. Doing so much voiceover work with it now days for radio imaging, it is absolutely perfect.
Agreed. I have a Broadcaster and an SM7B myself and sound/tone-wise the RODE is superior across the board, except it's a little less forgiving in untreated rooms being a condenser and it's a little more plosive than the 7B.
@THEDDTinc. NEW the Broadcaster has a certain richness that my RE20 doesn't have, but what I will say is this, the RE20 kinda has the sound I wanted in my head (that awesome radio sound but not too much boom and sizzle). I haven't compared the the RE320 with the Broadcaster though, which is probably a better comparison given the RE20 is a little more expensive again the the Broadcaster and RE320. With all that said: my favourite mic is my Rode NTG-3 Shotgun mic :-)
@THEDDTinc. NEW my recommendation these days would be the RE20 or if you wanted something a little cheaper and slightly higher output RE320. They're so versatile and sound fantastic. The RODE NTG-3 sounds best on my voice, because my voice doesn't have a lot of low and mid-bass, and the NTG-3 helps me in that range. If you already have a deeper voice, or you're recording in a space with a lot of standing bass waves, I'd avoid going with a shotgun mic. Just my opinion.
@@JoshuaCListon Is the Broadcaster also good for other applications other than Voice, like how the SM7B works very nice on Guitar cabs, Bass Cabs, Drums etc
Wow! In flat mode, just listening on my car speakers, the Rode impressed me. When all the switches on the SM7B were engaged, it sounded off. I cranked the speakers on the Sure and did hear some noise that wasn't evident in the Rode. This has once again confirmed my decision that if I need a front address mic in the future, it will more than likely be an EV RE series or, now, a Rode Broadcaster. Thanks Mike! Always a great educational video that saves tons of time and money.
Mike, you're one of the best channels that I use as a reference to choose or decide, and I always refer my voice-over friends to see your videos when they ask me " which mic to buy" , respect
Thank you. I will be buying a Rode Broadcaster for my main channel (not this one), I do youtube tuition and I really like the proximity effect on the broadcaster. Also in some countries the broadcaster is used in most radio stations.
Yes, SM7B is more like sound in a can, and lack of presence, a little bit boost of mid-range in a not-so-good way(sound for me, haven't seen its freq. map). I am fan of both company, I have Shuer SM58 & Super55, also have RODE NT1 & NT2000 & M5 Pair, but IMO, for song & voice-over recording I choose RODE, for Live or other noise enviroment performing Shuer is the only option. I used to work at a traditional FM station(in China) several years ago, they used 4 RODE Broadcasters and a pair of Dynaudio LYD8 monitor, the sound just tight and punchy and powerful, so now I am considering for buy one(Broadcaster). and at last and the most important, this is a very good comparision, THANK YOU!
We have Rode Broadcasters in our Radio Suites at the University for training Broadcast Radio Journalist. Great to learn the proximity effect is enhanced the closer you get. Great comparison review. Thank you.
Nice comparison. As much as the SM7B has a solid reputation, I'm sat here with a decent pair of headphones on and the Rode is my preference. It may be a little more fatiguing to listen to over a long duration as it is a little bright but it really sounds sweet and rich. It suits your voice.
Great video, thank you. I ran through the comments and it seems to me that nobody mentioned that the indicator light can be switched on/off through two additional pins of the XLR connector of the Broadcaster. Broadcast consoles usually has this feature of controlling an on air lamp via dedicated contacts. When said additional pins of the XLR connector of the microphone is not used, the LED can simply indicate the presence of phantom power. Please note that muting a microphone on a mixer will not switch off the phantom power since even several seconds are required to polarize a condenser when the phantom power arrives and usually one does not have time to wait for the microphone to be ready when unmuted.
The Rode broadcaster is a great mic and has no gain issues. The presence or what I call sparkle in the top end is awesome and I do get up on my broadcaster as it produces a very rich sound with presence. The sm7b has always sounded dull and dark to me. Love to see you put the CAD 100s up against this rode broadcaster. My voice like yours always sounds better on a condenser mic. Much more articulate.
This guy has a very cool voice i have to say. Wow! So, as an owner of the broadcaster, in my opinion it sounds just way better than the SM7B in direct comparison
I used it for 2 years, I sold it a month ago and that I realized the mistake, I sold it much lower than our market ($ 220), new ones in the store ~ $ 600, they took it in 4 hours, I didn’t even have time to change my mind))) Now I’m sorry, because the room naked, and he worked perfectly in an empty room ...
Pretty much the results that I got when I compared my new Broadcaster to my SM7b. It's also has much less self-noise (at least with the signal chain I'm running). Thanks for the awesome vids Mike!
Would love it if, somewhere down the line Mike would get the opportunity to throw the Rode Procaster at the Shure SM7B. Basically I want a dynamic mic, but this price point is a little too high for me. But, obviously, I think that these mics are the quality I do want. So if the Procaster stands up, that might be the one for me.
Love my SM7B. The Broadcaster sounds nice, but in less than ideal environments, condensor mics can sound far more noisy than dynamic. And a solid preamp will take care of any noise concerns. My SM7B sings with the Grace M101 preamp running into an Audient ID22 (passthrough.)
I used it with a roadcaster 1) Already switched to more serious equipment, a ua610 tube preamp and a rare altair cn220 radium compressor / gate (500 € 2001, already vintage)
Excellent video as usual. Most anyone I've talked to about the SM7B, including producers at the radio stations I work with (and I use their SM7B's as well in their studios) all recommend using a Cloud Lifter or a FetHead with it because it's so quiet. Factory specs say requires minimum 70 dB of gain but 90 is optimal. Wondering if you ever use such an add-on with it to pump up it's performance. Keep up the great work!
Rode Broadcaster all the way! It’s what I use on my show. Up close and personal and the sound is amazing. Great comparison! I’ve often wondered. But I am a huge RODE Fan! Thanks again. 👽
Explore with Rick That’s kinda what we do at Paranormal Analytical for Radio and Facebook. The Rode Broadcaster is just awesome. The SM7B is great, but I just prefer the RODE.
Explore with Rick I use the Yamaha MG10XU on the show and it works great. You can find them around $160. The good thing about the RODE, you don't have to drive your pre-amps to hard. The SM7B you will be pushing it to the limits and still have to work on it in Post.
4 года назад
whoa the broadcaster sounds amazing! Lively Full and well balanced
Listening to this with my Sennheiser HD280 Pro, the Rode sounds better on your voice, its brighter and clearer and I quite like the sound. With the Shure, when you put the presence boost on, it seemed to just boost the high frequencies and cut all the bass and I would have liked more bass than that and with the bass roll off on, it sounded too thin to me.I don't normally like the sound of Rode mics, but that is quite a good sounding mic.
Mike, I have used you videos many times to help other You Tubers and Twitch gamers to decide on a mic. You videos are informative and in depth yet fun to watch. I now have a request. Can you review some mics that can be used on cameras like a DSLR and can also be used on a stand for podcasting and vlogs? A dual use mic would be very helpful to many of us. Thanks! And keep up the great work.
I used it for 2 years, I sold it a month ago and that I realized the mistake, I sold it much lower than our market ($ 220), new ones in the store ~ $ 600, they took it in 4 hours, I didn’t even have time to change my mind))) Now I’m sorry, because the room naked, and he worked perfectly in an empty room ...
I looked at just about every mic I could find a review for that was in my price range, and there are several out there that I thought would really work for me, but not gonna lie, the look of the SM7B did have something to do with me picking it.
Would love to see a collaboration with Podcastage. Think it would be both interesting & entertaining. A christmas special rounding up the years mic releases and their favourites would be an example.
Brilliant video Mike. The broadcaster sounds absolutely phenomenal. Real quandary because I was thinking about investing in the SM7b but may have to save a little more for the Rode.
I've been using a Rode Procaster for a little over a year now and I've absolutely love it, but I've been thinking about picking up an SM7B as well. Now, you have me thinking that I like the Rode Broadcaster a little better.
so glad i found you!!!!!!!!!!!! I love your channel and content, so helpful to see someone with your passion reviewing all these mics! i been working with a blue yeti because i didn't want to invest before i knew what i was doing and im at a point where i need an actually good mic. thank you for these videos! so much!
I've watched most of your great videos (some of them several times), but I never left a comment. This is the first time... The information you share is always helpful. Your voice is so relaxing (sometimes your videos play in my headphone in the background while I'm coding my games). I'd love to make my room isolated from the noisy neighborhood and noise cancellation headphone helps, but still doesn't let me work and record in quiet :P I've checked your kits, along with several other websites and videos about how to make a sound proof room or booth. But most of them are just acoustic treatments, and not real sound proofing. Is there a way I can make a silent booth? minimum of 2m x 2m ? ... Whisperroom is super duper expensive and I'm not even considering. Thanks again for the great work you do. You've made improvements in our lives! :)
I have had a broadcaster for 2 years already, the lows were initially cut there, I compared it with the nt1000 (they have the same capsules), but it worked fine for me with a bass-baritone, there is no booming like on most microphones. im use him with ua610 preamp
That's why many radios use Røde Broadcaster, not Shure SM7B. (By the way, i saw one radio that they used Shure and then they changed into Røde Bradcaster)
Hey Mike, thanks for this comparison. The SM7B is great, but people need to know just how many other mics out there compete with it at lower price points. I was wondering if you would consider doing a video about phase cancellation. I have tons of issues monitoring my voice while recording with my voice and the headphone monitor phase cancelling each other, which makes it really hard to listen to myself talk for extended periods of time. Is there anything I can do about it? Thanks again.
I'm a HUGE fan of yours and a big fan of Rode mics... Thank you for another great video! I agree with most folks here - I think the Broadcaster sounds better on your voice (which is very similar to my own)
Thank you Mike. I prefer the Rode as I found to be, to my ear, more alive. Shure is lazy and I am waiting for it to deliver. For me, it does not. Shure is less present; I have to work for Shure to listen to and get the feeling. Rode is effortless for me. Then again, the sound is such a personal thing and I am glad we have choices to get exactly the effect we think we like. Give Shure "the bean" and it starts the wind and sticks up the joint.....smiles.
lol, CONGRATS on the AC! And thank you for your videos. You are an inspiration and a joy. And no, I'm not joking. I'm actually serious. Awesome job man, awesome job.
Wow, after hearing this comparison, I'm confused why the SM7b is still seen as like a "standard"... The Broadcaster sounds WAY better to my ear. You're totally right about the SM7b's "presence" boost. It sounds more like a mid/high-mid boost. Like it adds more nasal tones with a bit of brightness. Kind of like the sound of a phone call... The Broadcaster just sounds so much more crisp and clear while still keeping that low end that people like in a voiceover/radio/podcast mic sound. Maybe the SM7 is just one of those things that stays around because it's been around. People see it a lot, so they think of it as "the radio mic", so then they get one, which makes more people see it etc etc etc. It's like how people think things like Beats headphones are good because they see famous/rich people with them. Definitely considering picking up a Broadcaster now!
I love you videos Mike! I learned a ton about mics and audio gear and voice over work in general from you. Keep it up! As for these two, I prefer the SM7B. I just prefer dynamics in general. Thanks again!
Broadcaster has a higher pitch, though SM7B has a deepness, smoothness and richness to it I like. Broadcaster is a good mic, but I would personally go for the Shure
im not sure whether it's condenser or dynamic. i feel like sm7b is better for purposes i would use a dynamic mic for. and if i wanted more higher pitches, i would use a condenser rather than a broadcasting mic.
Dude, I love your intros, they crack me up...glad to hear your A/C is back. Question, can you use phantom power with the Dynamic Shure or would it damage it?
Man if i had the money the sm76(b?) sounds so nice and clean to me. oh well, cheap usb mic works fine for my taste. no pro, just hobby. cheers, keep 'em coming.
If you want these videos to give us a certain idea of quality, please I ask you to modulate the audio to the video as high as possible without distortion. Thank you.
Hi Mike. Thanks for the review I have both and love them. But a 3 way comparison try the Sennheiser MD421. Or 4 way Electrovoice 320. Or 5 way. No stop it. Love the videos Mike.
I have a $500 price range. Mostly doing voice-overs and some podcast. I want a mic that has the proximity effect as well and I do not want to add any after effects to it. What mic do I get?
Explore with Rick i think, you should buy Røde Broadcaster because you are going to save money (idk like 80 dollars) and then you can think about pre-amps, compressors and etc.
Like, I have Røde Broadcaster and i'm loving it, The Microphone's sound is rich and when i'm listening to myself, i feel so good, but it's your choice.
Thank you #BoothJunkie AKA Mike . Please keep up the great work, I have learned so much more from you other than just about microphones. Thanks to you and few positive people in my life, It has re-sparked a passion of mine, To work with audio and video, I am going back to school for it here very soon. Keep up the great videos, I'm looking forward to more videos about the vo business as well.
I listen on headphone in high monitor level. Somehow i hear some static noise in SM7b. When you change to the Broadcaster, suddenly the noise gone. Poof! So silent! At this test, i tend to like the Broadcaster more.
Hi Mike, great video, thank you! A question: what are the benefits of the low-cut buttons on these mics, over just cutting out the low end via EQ in post?
The broadcaster works perfectly fine without a cloudlifter, so its a cheaper option. Also some people complain that even with the cloudlifter the audio sounds disappointing, not only few are having this issue.
He started about 2 years ago with this youtube channel and his audience is not that broad. I mean we could say that most of the people who upload videos to youtube use a microphone to record audio, but not everybody is interested in all details or comparisons of different mics. Some youtubers just buy Blue Yeti USB microphone and that's where it ends for them. Anyways I wish him more success, as he deserves it! He is also charismatic as hell which definitely helps to grow his audience and I have to admit that I absolutely love his voice!
I had SM7B, Its was good, but like your said you need to crank up the gain. When I had at 7+ on my soundcard, it made some hiss sound that I had eq alot of songs. So after couple of years, I sold it. Its good for broadcast. But it gave me alot of headache, because I record it. I had to eq alot, to sounded great. My other phantom power of my neumann u87 copy, which is jjlabs bmc3 which look like an black version of u87, which is much better sound wise then my SM7B. If you ever buy an SM7B, you need like he said an cloudlifter.
Hi Mike, would you compare the Broadcaster to the other classics (mk 416 and tlm 103), because I think we all noticed how well the broadcaster sounded with your voice here.
This video was perfect timing for me. I have a CAD E100, but I was getting some background hiss, so I bought an SM7B last night. I also already own a fetthead to boost the gain, but I was hoping to eliminate any background noise. I am about to try it. :) Any other dynamic mics in this class I could look into?
The CAD E100 is supposed to be a super quiet mic. So you probably have some room noise. OR you could think about upgrading your preamps on your interface, they could be introducing that hiss you are talking about. My guess is your preamp or interface is introducing the hiss....
