Shure’s Motiv M7 is an affordable alternative for podcasters, but it’s still a high-end product. It has a touch-slider on the front that adjusts the headphone volume and the mic gain, with a button to switch between the two functions, as well as a mute button.
Shure’s entry into the USB space is a dynamic mic, meaning it’s more durable on the inside—and that it’s a little better for uncontrolled environments. It handles background noises and rumbles well. In addition, the M7 makes use of the ShurePlus MOTIV app to control tone, level, aspects of setup, and more. Also, the mic has a traditional XLR plug, which makes it more versatile if you decide to upgrade your studio.
While this mic is great for clarity, it’s also very focused. If two people are conversing from different positions in front of the mic, it struggles to capture them both. If you’re trying to record multiple people, you’ll probably want more than one mic.
We were also disappointed that this microphone does not come with its own stand by default. If you don’t already have a mic stand, you’re going to be paying extra for a mini tripod.