Shure’s MV7 microphone has been a solid option for podcasters and streamers since its launch in 2020. The company introduced the first microphone with a USB and XLR connection. This hybrid setup offers the ability to easily connect to a computer or more robust recording setups as needed. It’s also $150 cheaper than Shure’s workhorse SM7B, which you’ve probably seen in professional podcast videos. Now the company is back with a new version of the MV7, called MV7+, with a “slimmer design” and a host of software features aimed at improving the audio before you start any editing workflows.
The most noticeable change is the new multi-color LED touch panel. According to Shure, this component is fully customizable with over 16.8 million colors for a visual display of your sound levels. You can also opt for an “ambient pulse effect”. Additionally, a tap of the LED panel mutes the MV7+ when you cough, sneeze or need to clear your throat.
In what Shure calls “real-time denoising,” the MV7+ uses digital signal processing (DSP) to eliminate background distractions. The company says this works in conjunction with the microphone’s voice isolation to produce excellent sound in noisy environments. The MV7+ also features a digital popper stopper to combat the dreaded explosives, but this microphone does so with virtually no unsightly filter showing up in your live stream.
Shure says it has improved the MV7+’s Auto Level mode, a feature that makes gain adjustments based on distance, volume and room characteristics to automatically balance the sound profile. There’s also a built-in reverb that offers three settings (Plate, Reverb and Studio) before you start fine-tuning in your on-the-go DAW. And just like the MV7, the MV7+ still features hybrid XLR and USB outputs for connecting to mobile devices and laptops, as well as a more powerful audio mixer. While the previous model had a micro USB port for USB-A and USB-C cables, this new model only has USB-C.
With the MV7+, Shure also announces the MOTIV Mix app. In addition to optimizing the colors of this LED panel, the software offers a five-track mixer as well as the ability to adjust settings like sound signature, gain, and more. There’s also a sound check tool to help you set the optimal gain setting, and a monitor mix slider allows individual adjustments for microphone output and system audio playback. The company explains that this new Mix app will be available for older microphones like the MV7 and MVX2U, but is currently only available in beta for use with the MV7+
The MV7+ is available now in black and a white version will be released “in the coming weeks.” Both cost $279, $30 more than the MV7 at launch. Shure also sells a “podcast kit” that bundles the MV7+ with a basic Gator desktop mic stand for $299. If you prefer the more versatile boom stand, this package is $339. Whether you buy the standalone microphone or one of the kits, a three-meter USB-C to USB-C cable is included.