Mic Myth Busted: XLR vs USB On The Shure MV7

Let's settle the XLR vs. USB debate with the Shure MV7. In this video, I'll compare the mic's sound quality using USB, a budget interface, and a high-end preamp & interface combo. Can you hear the difference?

• The Shure MV7 recorded in 3 ways: USB, budget interface, high-end preamp
• Why the "XLR is better" myth isn't always accurate
• Factors that truly impact microphone sound quality

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0:00 Intro
0:51 The Recording Chains Used
1:52 What Is The Debate?
3:46 Preamps Have Gotten Better
4:18 Real World Experience With USB Mics
5:18 My Take
5:55 What About You?

[duzikh]

I've listened this video on smartphone. I didn't hear any difference.

[Ethernel]

I agree with you to some degree about the XLR vs USB, but I think there is some Microphone which works better in XLR, in my case MV7 XLR with Scarlett solo, with USB it sounds so mushy and bassy while with XLR it retains a good amount of natural sound.
But still I have a slight issue with both of them having a static noise/hiss in the background.

[ToddDolce]

I also believe that the USB/XLR debate will be reaching an end in the very near future as these newer generation USB mics are really getting better with impressive internal components. Trust me, ....to many the quality sound and internal component gap between USB and XLR has already closed but all I will say is that it is getting very small with each passing year. I'm all set with my studio set up and my RE20 and RE27 N/D mics BUT I do see a time VERY SOON when I will went a quick down and dirty mic for travel or quick impromptu interviews etc and I can assure you that a USB mic will be the go to!

[nomnomnomalot]

I'm hearing more interference on the XLR interfaces, especially on the Vocaster. Both XLR interfaces sound more neutral, with the USB having the bass boosted.

[sorrykiddo]

Sup, Jess! Yeah, MV7 has a really good preamp in it, yet if we compare it with your XLR+Vocaster - the USB version sounds more muffled. XLR version is more clear, live and surround.

[DAGATHire]

this is incorrect tho, its not a debate between XLR and USB, you have it wrong! the debate here is do you need a preamp or not with an MV 7 or similar mic that gives you the option between USB or XLR and in the case of the MV 7 its demonstrably true that a preamp dramatically improves the sound.the Shure mv7 is a dynamic mic and indeed a lot of the mics from shure are dynamic on account they bloody invented dynamic mics but the facts are that shure mics are not loud, they are known to be quite so getting extra gain out of a preamp even a cheap one makes total sense with shure mics, PARTICULARLY the MV7 which is notoriously quiet out of the box and requires extensive audio editing post recording in order to cleanly bring up the sound. you have turned a legitimate debate preamp or not for mics with USB and XLR connectors into a base dum dum debate of USB OR XLR... and that debate has absolutely zero value!

[aftertheshowmoviepodcast]

Can't hear any difference at all.