Shure MV7X Podcast XLR Microphone

The MV7X is an XLR-only version of the MV7 XLR/USB podcast microphone; it offers the same mic element and physical construction, minus the digital features. While the sonic signature is identical, the price point is even lower for users who only need the XLR connectivity.

The mic takes its design and sonic cues from the Shure SM7B, a classic used on countless podcasts and radio broadcasts. Use the mic in close proximity to your voice and you'll find it exhibits a clear, intelligible, and high-quality sound with a frequency response optimized for rich and natural vocal reproduction.

Outfitted with a traditional XLR 3-pin output, the MV7X can connected to any XLR mic input, whether it's on an audio interface, an external mic preamp, or a mixer. No power source is required for the MV7X because it is a dynamic microphone, so forget about needing to engage phantom power like you would for a condenser mic.

Like the SM7B, the MV7 has a built-in pop filter to protect against plosives and p-pops, greatly simplifying your editing process. With its integrated ready-to-mount yoke with 5/8" threading, the mic offers a build quality that is rugged, with an all-metal construction for reliability in mission-critical circumstances.

The mic features a unidirectional cardioid polar pattern, which is the best natural defense against room noise: since the capsule mostly captures what's directly in front of it, you won't pick up as much room noise as you would with another polar pattern. Depending on your particular room, you may still need a little room treatment, or some noise-reduction software, to address issues such as your computer's hum or your air conditioner—but the chances of that are markedly lower with a cardioid polar pattern.