Tag: microphone

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YouTube

Those Microphones

I watch a lot of YouTube videos. I’ve become overly sensitive to watching a podcast host who has a big microphone blocking much of her face. Almost always the microphone is from Shure.

I wanted to understand more about this. Why wouldn’t a host want a microphone that is completely out of the picture? Obviously many don’t. So I asked ChatGPT:

I see lots of podcasters who all use shure microphones. These microphones are big, get in the way on video, and just seem clunky. Why do they choose shure? Are there any good competitors? If not why not?

Here’s what I got back:

Great question — and you’ve put your finger on one of those funny “herd instincts” in media tech. Let’s unpack it.

Why so many podcasters use Shure mics (especially the SM7B):

  1. Broadcast pedigree — The Shure SM7B has been around since the late 1970s. It’s been used on radio for decades and famously on Michael Jackson’s Thriller. That gives it “street cred” — it looks and feels like a serious mic.
  2. Voice flattering — It’s tuned to smooth out harshness in the human voice and reduce plosives (“p” and “b” sounds). That makes beginners sound more professional without too much post-production.
  3. Dynamic mic advantage — Unlike condensers (which are more sensitive), dynamic mics like the SM7B pick up less room noise. Most podcasters are recording in bedrooms, not sound-treated studios, so a forgiving mic is a lifesaver.
  4. Brand signaling — It’s become the “uniform” of podcasting. Having one on-camera signals: “I’m legit.” It’s the Tesla Cybertruck of mics: polarizing but impossible to ignore.

The downsides (you’ve noticed them):

  • Huge and in-your-face — On video it blocks faces and looks like you’re talking into a loaf of black bread.
  • Gain-hungry — You need a strong preamp or booster (like a Cloudlifter). Plugging it straight into a cheap interface makes it sound dull.
  • Expensive — At ~$400 plus the extras, it’s a commitment.

Good competitors:

  • Electro-Voice RE20 / RE27 — Classic broadcast mics, slimmer profile, very warm tone. NPR and radio stations love these.
  • Heil PR40 — Also designed for voice, with a bit more brightness. Not quite as “trendy,” but respected.
  • Rode PodMic / Procaster — Cheaper, compact, and solid performers. Rode has been eating into Shure’s market with podcaster-focused gear.
  • Shure MV7 — The “little brother” of the SM7B with USB and XLR. Way more convenient for non-audio-nerds.
  • Neumann BCM 705 — A premium option, smaller footprint, very clean sound.

Why hasn’t anything displaced Shure yet?

  • Psychology + aesthetics: once something becomes the look, it reinforces itself. Guests expect to see it, hosts feel validated by it, and audiences associate it with professionalism.
  • Durability: Shures are tanks. They can take years of daily use.
  • Sound profile: Competitors may be better in certain ways, but the SM7B’s “radio-ready voice” is a safe bet for all kinds of voices.

If video is your main focus and you don’t want a mic blocking your face, the Electro-Voice RE20 on a side boom, or even a lavalier or shotgun mic just out of frame, can give you pro sound without the giant mic visual.