In early 2024 Logitech rebranded the Blue Sona as the "Yeti Studio." From what I understand, it's the exact same mic and the only difference is the logo on the backplate. It's a bummer to see the Blue name slip further away, but it seems like this is just another fun consequence of corporate mergers 😉
I heard Tom actually had the mic portion of this review ready a week ago but it took him another week to nail down puns to tie it all together. Great review as always!
@@tombuck Nice. I basically thought the same. There is a subtle difference between both microphones and I'd say it really depends on the voice and preference. The Sona seems to be a quite decent microphone. The only reason going for the SM7B might still be, that it has proven to be tough and it just has a bit more reputation, but I am really surprised by the blind test.
SM7B $399, Blue Sona $349. If you have an SM7B currently, just stick with it. If you're looking to get your first pro mic then save $50 and get the Blue Sona. Although, during black Friday, the Shure typically goes on sale. I bought an SM7B last year from Amazon for $299. However, I use my $99 Rode PodMic 95% of the time.
Yep, this is the smartest way. It'll be interesting to see what happens with holiday sales. With the Earthworks ETHOS also now being priced the same as the SM7B, I'm thinking Shure might try and really offer some tempting price cuts.
This is, hands down, the best review for the Blue Sona out there yet! I've always wondered if the audio quality would change depending on which audio interface the microphone was hooked to but always got bummed that no one seemed to test that in their reviews, so thank you very much for showing us the quality of the Blue Sona across different audio interfaces, including budget ones! Extremely helpful video that absolutely aided me in choosing my next mic, I'll be upgrading from a Rode NT-USB so I'm really looking forward to the improvement in quality! Happily subscribed! Thank you!
I thank you so much! I was really surprised at the differences between interfaces! Definitely something that’s important to consider. Hope you really enjoy the mic!
about interfaces, i think podcastage might have done a test comparing an interface with a similar performance with a relatively "budget" interface vs something that costs more
I really could not here a difference in the blind test ... before I thought the SMB7 sounds better ... so I listened more with my eyes than my ears ... 😉
As a content creator, I simply LOVED all in this mic. It's just perfect in many aspects. But the price... I think this could be more cheaper, but it's ok for a new product.
They'd definitely dominate if it could somehow be $250 instead of $350, but it's a super high quality mic. I think some of the promo photos make it look a little cheap/consumer-y, but in person it's shockingly high quality. I took a part out of the video for the sake of time where I talked about how you really do feel like you get your money's worth with the Sona. Everything about it, form the actual mic fit and finish to the includes accessories just feel premium, so even though it's pricey, it's one of those things where you feel like you used the money well.
Considering most audio interfaces require some kind of preamp booster like a Cloud Lifter or Fethead in order to drive an SM7B, you can basically factor that in to the price difference. There aren't too many sub-$200 interfaces that can drive it cleanly. Scarlett interfaces really should not be pushed beyond 50%. RCP uses very clean preamps, but it costs $700. Same thing with my Zoom F6. I'm currently testing the Wave XLR ($180) by Elgato - and it _can_ drive the SM7B (at 75%) pretty cleanly. Fethead runs $100 and a Cloud Lifter runs $150. You could also use an audio strip with a preamp (dbx286s) - but that runs about $250. But to your point, if this included a USB interface built-in like the Shure MV7, it would be a solid pick at $300-ish. I'm also playing around with the MV7. You can certainly tell the difference but only if you compare them side-by-side.
Blue Sona definitely for present and future generations for ease of use. The over all clarity is nice and more pleasing to my ears with your presentation and I own a shure sm7b. I will be purchasing a Blue Sona for more versatility.
While I think they sound extremely similar, as I rewatch this video, I do think I actually prefer the Sona (especially with the SM7B preset in the RCP). It's a really awesome mic!
I have developed a resistance to all your jokes and puns. No reluctant laughs, no eye rolling. But I couldn’t help but smile when you used the encabulator script for the mic test. Nice touch.
love the design of the Sona. I know the SM7B is a very popular mic but it's so nice to see something that can compare and, in my opinion, look better on camera.
Agreed. I'm glad they didn't tie it to any apps or software or anything- it's just a super solid XLR mic. That makes me hopeful that it'll stick around for a number of years.
I'm surprised about the result of the mic test, because I thought no 2 has a fuller and warmer sound, which I thought would be the SM7B. The Sona does sound great!
You are so Punny, it cracks me up! Absolutely EGG-celent. As someone who watches hours of youtube reviews when I want to purchase something, like literal hours. From the most viewed all the way down to people with under a hundred views, I must say thank you. Your reviews are very on point, discuss many different factors and random things that not a lot of people think about. Also the fact that you can get super techy and super just normal consumer talk is hugely appreciated. I watch and enjoy Podcastage, but half the stuff I have no idea what hes talking about because of my lack of knowledge so I get bored. I have sat through every minute of every review I have watched from you so far. So again, a huge thanks a GG (Good Game/Job) Side Note/Main Point: I recently upgraded from a PodMic to a SM7B. Sounded "OK" but it didn't work well with my mic arm (Blue Compass) because of the connector. I use it through my Wave XLR. Wasn't happy so wanted to get a new mic. Watched your review on the Procaster and was 99% all for it. Then comes the review of the Sona and the review on the Earthworks ETHOS. Guessed correct on both Mystery Tests, and they both sound amazing and now I am so divided. LOL. Anyways enough rambling, seriously just wanted to say thank you! Mahalo from Hawaii!!!
Hey thank you! I'm also someone who goes down the "research rabbit hole" when thinking of buying something, so this means a lot to hear. If you're still searching for a mic, I've heard that B&H currently has the ETHOS marked down to $299! But if you've already got the SM7B, you might want to try out a simple booster like the Klark Teknik CT-1. It's usually about $40 and can really make a difference. 👍
@@tombuck Is it okay if i fan boy for a bit!! LOL Decided on returning the SM7b. Saw BnH had it for 399. Checked again last night and saw the price of $299.00!!! Decision was made right then and there. Hopefully your link is an affiliate link through BnH!!! Paid extra for overnight shipping even though that doesnt exisit in hawaii, so interested to see when it gets here. SO excited to debut it on stream.!! Thank you so much again for the review!!! Aloha
I think one of the key takeaways again here is that the Rodecaster pro can make almost any basic mic sound fantastic so that is probably a better place to start if it's within the budget. I have the original Rodecaster pro 1 and I've tried sure sm58's they sound great, rode podmics, they sound great and also have a shure super 55 solely because I love Elvis and the old school rockabilly style mic looks. And verdict is ... They all sound fantastic in a live stream, live restaurant setting where people are eating and dining in the same room. The Rodecaster one is fantastic however still considering the 2 just because it looks awesome and I'm such a fan of the 1. Great vids, keep em coming
Amazing. I'm using three AT2020's for now but once I grow and get a budget I'll definitely be updating to the Blue Sona, since it's more modern, doesn't need a cloudlifter, and just sounds bettter! Oh, and it's cheaper too.
Other than the sibilance that accompanies the mic, the Sona sounds quite nice. Great they added an active preamp (a la sE Dynacaster) as part of their mic design.
I currently have a GoXLR (which can fully power the SM7B), and I do most of my voice overs in a somewhat treated space (still got a decent bit of echo). Does the Blue Sona do a better job of avoiding background noise compared to the Shure SM7B? Or should I just spend the extra $50 on the SM7B since I already own the gear to power it?
That’s a good question. From what I’ve noticed, the Sona is quieter because it requires less gain. So even though the GoXLR can run the SM7B, it’ll need to be at a higher gain level, which will likely introduce a bit of noise. That being said, with something like the Go, it probably won’t be a huge issue since that’s what it’s made for, so it probably just depends on which mic you like the sound of more. You can’t go wrong either way 👍
I love the fact that you view Everything just on the objective side and with a lot of caution in your wording. You are just spitting out facts. I wanted to get a new Mic and the more i am looking for what to pick the more i Value your Reviews. It really helps me out alot so thank you very much !
Great video Tom! Love the style of the Sona. Prob'ly not worth swapping out our combo of procasters and podmics for now - but one to keep an eye on for the future.
If you've already got a setup that's working for you, there's definitely no need to switch it up (if it ain't broke, don't fix it). But I'm really excited to see something genuinely new being brought to the table. 😎
Wow I am impressed by the Sona! I could tell which mic was which in the blind test, the Sona had a bit more presence or treble, but I thought they were very close and I preferred the Sona over the sm7b. Crazy! Great review as always!
SM7b would Lose each and every blind test against numerous 100$ condenser mics. It's just not meant to be used without eq. It's not even meant to be used for spoken word at all.....
...I was wrong hahaha I definitely preferred the "Mic 2" during your blind test...I'm pleasantly surprised. I've used the Blue Kiwi for many years so, naturally, I have a soft spot for Blue in general...Thank you for solidifying my future purchase!
@@tombuck knowing how much you love the SM7B, that statement is a true testament to the performance of the Sona. I'm very excited to get one on order and put it through its paces! Thanks again for such a thorough demonstration.
Hi Sir. In the blind test I could tell the difference and preferred Mic 1 and the reason being was the plosive rejection. They both sound great and very similar in your set up. Other TH-camr videos have had a much more obvious difference. But in your expensive blind test booth 😉 the plosives on the Blue mic was the tell tale sign. On the Scarlet interface I think I marginally preferred the Sona. Since I Have the Rocaster Pro 2 and a Samson 2QU my sound is adequate for my needs. (No one has complained that my sound sucks) Great video as always. Thanks for being Awesome.🤘
There's definitely a plosive difference between the two, but fortunately the Sona is still pretty darn good. The Q2u is a REALLY great mic, and I'm sure it sounds awesome though your RCP2 😎
Definitely has a nice sound. A sort of modernization of the sound profile itself, since its easier to run these modern mics, rather than 1970's technology.
Great review. I am really impressed by the Blue Sona. I was considering getting the Sm7B, but you helped me make up my mind. I'll pick the Sona one paired with the Vocaster Two interface. Cheaper, and performs at the same level, if not better, considering the gain level advantage.
That'll be a great combo, I'm really happy the video was helpful! The SM7B will always be a special mic, but I'e done a ton of side-by-sides now and I can confidently say that I do genuinely prefer the sound of the Sona. 👍
Hey Tom, thanks for another great video as always! For podcasters like myself, it is great to know about all of the different microphone options that are out there. Your knowledge of all of this equipment is very impressive! Also, just bought myself the original RODECaster Pro! It is really going to bring my podcast productions to the next level. Love all of your videos on the RODECaster as well. Stay safe and well and have a great day!
I think they made a marketing mistake with the price. at 275-299 they would ‘own’ the market. Nice video excellent into to the total cost and worked needed for a good sounding Mic. Rode doesn’t want a cloud lifter and basically the Sona, has a built in Cloudlifter. Base-cut and boost are overdone but that can probably be fixed in a firmware. Nice job Tom!
I asked Rode about this and they said they'll get back to me. I'm sure their not too worried about trying to make their gear super setup for a random competitor, but it's a curious question.
Your video just saved me from spending the extra money. I have the Rodecaster Pro 2 for my podcast set up. We use the Rode Podmic . But at my desk I plan to start a solo podcast and I have the Vocaster , I was going to buy the SM7B but now I’m going to go for the Blue Sona 😎 Thanks Tom!
I think Logi did a lot of testing and research into what the SM7B sounds like as well as its construction and isolation system and then added the built in pre-amp which was a great idea in my opinion because it opens it up to more people as there is no need to buy a separate booster for the many who own interfaces like the Focusrite 2i2 that benefit from a built in booster. I also like the design overall that the Sona has. I would say they really did their homework on this one. Congrats to the engineering team I think they did a great job on the design of the mic. They sound very close to me, I only hear very slight differences from one to the other. Plus I like the fact that you also show that aftermarket colored windscreens do in fact fit and look quite good on the Sona even though they are round. Great video.
im going to pick up the Blue Sona, my work has a discount with Logitech, so i can grab it for 250. going to give it a shot. see how it sounds.. Appreciate the review
Tom, as a guy who makes a ton of dad jokes and puns in the videos on his channel, I just want to tell you I appreciate the work here. I know firsthand that writing dad jokes is harder than it looks. :p
Fantastic, Tom!!! Thanks for putting so much time and attention to your review of the Blue Sona. I've seen a few videos, but "didn't get it." You really explain it well! Thanks!
That red wind screen is going to become kind of popular for the gaming streaming Comunity. The sound of the microphone is so good and that look it’s so cool. They should make the wind screen in different colors. Like your videos , I’m always watching
Thank you! I have a feeling they'll release the windscreen in different colors, but I'm surprised that wasn't an option at release. I love it though, if a mic is going to be on camera there's no reason not to make it look how you like 👍
Totally agree with you. Some people like colors in their set up and they can match that beautiful microphone. Also I’m pretty impressed with the audio quality when is connected in a regular audio interface without any microphone lifter.
My problem in the blind tests is that I'm better at telling which is which than I am at deciding which one I prefer! That said, I'm glad you do them, it really astonished me how hard it was to guess which was which. I think the Sona has a more nasally or mid-high tone, but in some ways the brightness is appreciated. I think it even depends on speech delivery and a person's voice which mic will sound better, and I think they're close enough it could be that either is fine. I think the SM7B's quality is just that little much better, but if the saying is true that "gear doesn't matter, your content does", then having *such a similar mic* should really check the box and then some if someone was considering the SM7B and might try the Sona instead... I'm a little disappointed the Sona isn't even less expensive, but the fact that it costs *a little less* while being more convenient and not needing a booster or a mega-advanced interface (potentially saving you more money) is not nothing, for sure.
..i believe there is a typo error "IsThe Sony Just A Copy"..Sony .. Sona.. ..it looks cool, and sounds good..just the price, on the upper limit.. Nice video! Hope all good with you both and dogs!
Bravo! The interface tests are what sets you apart. Excellent job! Thank you very much! EDIT: I'm ready for Oktoberfest! (I'm talking about the outro music ;) )
Haha, I was wondering if anyone would make the Oktoberfest connection 😁 The interface comparisons really surprised me! Everything sounds great through the RCP, but I didn't expect such huge differences with the others. Definitely makes the Sona a go-to recommendation for me.
Awesome! I'm looking at upgrading from a headset to something on the more "enthusiast side" and I think this is exactly it! Thank you for the video, super helpful :)
Damn The Blue Sona is just more modern and convenient than the SM7B. It's great that you don't need to buy a Cloudlifter or any booster just to make your mic sound better. I'll wait for Black Friday sales and see which one's cheaper though since I just got the Elgato Wave DX.
Shure did a pretty huge sale on the SM7B last year, so I feel like they'll probably do that again this year with all the added competition. I'm wondering if Logitech will be able to discount the Sona by then. I know it's usually harder to put new things on sale because they're still recouping costs, but who knows. 🤷🏻♂️
Amazing comparison, exactly as I imagined the video. From the first look, I thought the Sona was a cheap mic because it looked like white plastic. But good to hear that the quality is also good. Would love to see a comparison to my Shure MV7.. Great work Tom 👏
I had the same initial thoughts! I was really happy to find out the the Sona is super well built. Sound-wise, it's fairly similar to the MV7 but the Mv7 is a bit more prone to plosives and obviously doesn't have the built in booster (but DOES have USB functionality). I probably should've included a comparison here haha 😬
Great video as always! I literally just bought an SM7B with a Cloudlifter today. Not that I'm not happy with my setup, but had I watched your video sooner, I would've waited for the Blue Sona (or at least waited for more comparison videos) before making a purchase. Love the built in booster of the Blue Sona!
Wow. I was one of those people that love the SM7B. The Sona sounds great. I do love the Sure better with processing turnd on. Im really looking at the Sona closely
@@tombuck I agree. You blind test was great. I feel in love with the SM7B the first time I heard. Im currently using sampson Qu2 and the Fduce knock of sure MV7. Im looking forward to purchasing the Rode Podcaster to make those fine adjustments. Great video always looking forward to what you will post or stream next.
Review recommendation: I just got FDUCE SL40 for 80€ + shipping. Seems like a fantastic budget entry into SM7B-like mics. Very "curation over configuration" mindset, very plug-and-play. My poorly treated room sounds so much better. Would be interested to see you review this lil guy.
Interesting! Looks like an SM7B/MV7 hybrid. Good to know it's worked well in an untreated space. Thanks for the recommendation, I can definitely add it on my ideas list 👍
When I see the Mystery Mic Box come out I know we gonna get down to the nitty gritty... 🎙🎙 And though I'm not using my Yamaha mixer (RCP2) but I really liked it when it was paired with my dbx 286s and 131s and if I didn't need to have multiple mic inputs I never would have changed to the RCP2. If I didn't have the dbx unit the RCP2 is head and shoulders above the Yamaha in overall sound quality on spoken word like you said.
GoPro timelapse tutorial coming soon! 😁 The Dynacaster is a good option too, I'm just not a fan of the mount/form factor on it (but the sound quality/price/features are awesome).
Definately a difference, although subtile. But that's also true about the price really. The Shure is just marginally more expensive. Like the look of the Sona it's a pretty good looking mic imo.
Thanks Tom, that was another fantastic and helpful video to watch. I have been "eyeing" the SM7V, but I guess I'll wait a little and see if the Blue Sona will convince me otherwise. I am still working with a USB mic, so your review on the Vocaster 2 was very helpful as well.
Interesting that the actual colors are graphite and off-white as opposed to black and white but that’s still better than something like stargazer cream and midnight charcoal. Excellent review. I think you might have been a bit tough on the Yamaha mixer, but it is true that the mic preamps on low end mixers can be a bit noisy on high gain. To be fair, I have about 40 years experience in live sound and recording, which is a different game from podcasting. I probably wouldn’t use either of these microphones to record a choir.
Yeah, even though it's "Off White" it's just white in person. It's great! But it's just white. The Yamaha mixer is amazing, but it's definitely form a time before podcasting/streaming/etc. To me it just emphasizes the importance of considering what your mics will be running thought and not just focusing on getting a great mic by itself. 👍
@@tombuck I failed to say that I liked the Blue a very tiny bit better, but it’s hard to describe why. I refuse to say absolute better or worse except there are some situations where certain microphones are just not suited, which is why I own about 20 different models.
I'd like to see you compare the current crop of microphones against vintage broadcast microphones - like the RCA 44 & 77, Shure 55 (the vintage one, not the repop), EV 66, maybe even some of the cool old carbon mikes.
For $50 less, you'd be hard-pressed to hear any sort of difference in audio quality. I think Blue really knocked it out the park and _blue_ its competition away. It's a modernized SM7B with even better gain control thanks to the ClearAmp technology. If you weren't going with a less expensive, more budget option this is probably the one you'd want to go for. EDIT: I ended up buying it. It's seriously so much better than it has any right to be. I stand by my statement that for $50 less you'd be hard-pressed to find a practical difference between this and the SM7B. For spoken voice content creators that don't do music, this stands really high up there.
I'm really excited to see a "modern SM7B." I thought that's what Shure was going to do with the MV7, and while that is a terrific mic, it's definitely something different.
Getting the SM7B was such a let down for me. Had to get a cloud lifter and still didn’t care for the sound. Then upgraded the interface - still wasn’t happy. Upgraded the interface to a GoXLR and bc I use a MacBook it wasn’t compatible. For the sound I want, I’m still going to have to spend another $600 for the interface like you have. Kind of disappointing.
This definitely isn't an uncommon situation, and it really does come from the SM7B's original intent as a truly pro studio microphone. It's REALLY nice to have more accessible options that still deliver that same great quality now.
It's nice to see another brand offering a dynamic broadcast mic with an in-built phantom-powered preamp, a la the Aston Stealth and sE Dynacaster. It just seems like such an obvious design decision give the prominence of the Fethead, CouldLifter, sE Dynamite, Soyuz Launcher, etc. The design aesthetic of this mic seems to be kinda divisive. I personally think it's pretty cool, although I'd prefer the body in black, or maybe like a charcoal gray. As others have stated, it does seem a little spendy. I could see this settling in around $260-275, which I think would be a fair price.
Great video Tom! I bought a Rode Procaster a few weeks ago... it is fantastic! This mic would hit a little bit harder for me if it were about $100 cheaper. than the SM7B :) I owned the Blue Spark for a while.. it was a great mic. No doubt with Blue being involved the mic is great, but putting Logitec's name on it makes me feel like it was intended to be a consumer level mic and the price seems a bit much. Being so close in price.. most will pick the SM7B.. because of the mic's heritage. Great review. I am really impressed, great job Logitec!
Sounds great! IMO the best sounding spoken word mic out there right now is the Rode Procaster. Sounded better to me than the SM7B in a blind test, and it's under $200. And then of course the Rode Podmic is just an absolute steal for $100 or less.
Every time you turn around a new mic is coming out 🤣😂… I have a Samson q92 and a re27nd… I may get the shure sm7b just for vocal recording. I use the other mics for my podcasts and live stream… I do have condenser mics for recording but I want to add a dynamic mic to my recording for singing… great review
It's pretty crazy how much competition there is in this space at the moment. The Sona is one of the rare ones that I think really does bring something new to the tables rather than "Company X's version of Company Y's mic" that we've seen a lot. Even though it kind of is Blue's version of the SM7B. 😬
My only complaint with my SM7b is that I haven't been able to get it dialed in where it doesn't pick up mouth noise. It's been a big struggle for the past couple years
Ahh yes, that can be tricky. Some of it can be remedied by adjusting mic technique, but I also no a few people who use “de-clicking” plugins to help too.
The Blue Sona has caught my eye for sure. Only problem is just getting an SE Electronics Dynacaster in June with quite a bit of feature parody for $60 less. Sure aesthetically the Sona is perhaps more eye catching as it draws from the SM7B, but the difference in function and sound is making me wonder how much is gained or lost with a price that competitive between the Dynacaster and the Sona. Also of note, the Dynacaster can toggle between active and passive mode which can make a huge difference for those using portable recorders for podcasting over a mixer setup as far as battery life can go.
Thanks for the review. It seems really impressive, but I think the price point is not competitive. Here in Europe ( specifically in Germany) the Shure SM7B is 359€ and the Blue Sona is 349€. My question to you Tom, which one would you choose if you were here in Germany :) Thanks!
Interesting that they're so close! I would still base the decision on what equipment you have. If you have a good preamp/mixer/booster, then the SM7B is a classic that won't regret and it'll last for the rest of your life. If you're working with a basic interface, then the Sona is definitely the way to go. Not needing more gear or boosters is a huge cost-saving benefit of the Sona, even if the base prices aren't that different.
@@tombuck thanks for the advice. I'm currently using Sennheiser MKE 600 with Mix Pre 3 II, which I'm totally happy with, but Shure SM7B tempts me extremely.
I guessed correctly on the mystery mic, but I had a 50/50 chance so... The Logi mic removes the need for additional hardware, so the cost savings is more than just the purchase price. The main takeaway from this though was that I don't need a Rodecaster mixer! The differences were negligible.
Haha, those are pretty good odds I suppose 😁 And you're totally right about the RCP. While it's absolutely incredible in terms of features, if you're just looking for an interface for one or two mics, there are definitely other options (the Vocaster Two is really impressive).
Good review, first off. But, hmm,... on the fence about this. I watched first on treadmill, where I watch youtube frequently. There was no comparison: through the crappy TV speakers-- the SM7b had a clarity on your voice that the Sona could not match. The Sona sounded muddy, almost underwater. But.. I switched to airpods pro, what most people listen to a podcast with, I would imagine. There I could hear what you were talking about. This mic sounded really good--although I still thought the 7b was better. But listening through the airpods, I could see how someone might begin to weigh in the built in pre, savings on cost, etc. Still, the SM7b is a tried and true classic. This is the new kid. If it were my dollars, I would understand that I need to build in a cloudlifter to the cost of a SM7b. And if I had the Rodecaster II, there would be no contest--the SM7b is just, I believe, a better bet. And...btw, I rarely use my SM7b. I gravitate to either an RE20 or a Neumann BCM705 Dynamic. So I'm not a 7b apologist. I just feel with the Sona this close in price, you stick with the classic. Thanks for the great review, Tom!
There really are so many variables. While editing/recording I switched between Rode headphones, AirPods, MacBook speakers, and living room sound system and there were definitely differences across each system. I was surprised that I found I preferred the Sona over the SM7B in each case though. The RE20 is definitely a great one. We did a blindfolded mic test with all of mine a few months ago and that was the one I ended up choosing. 😁
I am curious to see how well the Blue Sona will sell. Its in a very tough price zone particularly for a newcomer. My take is that the Blue Sona will go on sale once the hype is over.
It'll definitely be interesting to see. I feel that it's fairly priced, but I think I might also have spent too much time with microphones where I'm forgetting that the idea of spending $200+ on a mic seems completely absurd when getting started or making a first upgrade.
Great vid. Surprised I preferred the Blue Sona. Bass sounds deeper. Other mics with the same built-in preamp concept (but switchable) to consider include the SE Dynacaster and Aston Stealth. In future vids, can you extend the time to listen to the noise floor? thx!
Yes, definitely! I realized how short it was while editing. It's one of those things where during recording it feels like I'm sitting there forever, and then watching it back it's only like 2 seconds. 🤦🏻♂️
Came back to revisit this video to see if I should recommend the Sona to people when they are asking me about the SM7B, and darn it, that Sona does make Tom's voice just a tad bit better! I'd say this: the $50 price difference is negligible. That's not a legitimate reason to get the Sona instead of the Shure. But if you're recommending a mic to a "newbie," and they want SM7B sound but don't care about branding, this is an obvious choice. It removes the added complication and cost (typically average $100 extra) of a gain booster for the Shure. That being said, before buying a Blue Sona instead of a Shure SM7B, go and listen to other reviewers with different types of voices to hear how it sounds on different people. If you have a voice similar to Tom's, and you're not dead set on buying the Shure, just get the Blue Sona. But there's no denying the ubiquity of the Shure SM7B. If part of the reason you want one, and not a knockoff of one, is because of the iconic design and nostalgic, shiny "piece of history" aspect to it, you're not gonna be happy until you've bought at least one SM7B😂 that's certainly why I bought mine, even though there are fantastic options out there that would suit my purposes for way less money.
You're totally right in that It really does depend on a person's specific voice. The Sona is really great though! I'm currently working on a review for the Shure SM7dB, which includes some Sona comparisons and it really does shine...and is $150 cheaper than the SM7dB. That being said, you're also totally right about wanting "the real thing." If you want an SM7B, nothing else will really scratch the itch.
@@tombuck not to try and taint your own thoughts that you're forming for your review (I'm sure you'll do it in good ole Tommy B style as usual), all things considered (including price), I think Aidan Wolf over at Dark Corner Studios put it well in his recent review of the SM7dB: "This mic would have been mic of the year... In 2020."
although I have an SM7B I had the Sona for a while and was like meh, don't need it!, Then it hit $250. I managed to get one for around $185 and am glad to be revisiting it. Nice mic for sure!
You’re a great teacher! 🏆 I learned a ton not only about the new microphone, but also about important considerations for audio recording. As you said, *you don’t know what you don’t know*!! Thanks for helping us to understand a little more. I may need to get myself one of those nifty boards instead of just plugging my Rode video mic into my Sony a7iv! That may require a mic with Phantom power! 💥
Thank you sir! There Rode mic into the Sony is more than enough for just about everything (and there's no need to sync anything)! The Vocaster Two interface DOES have a camera output though, so it makes it really easy to connect XLR mics to any camera with a regular mic jack 💡
Many thanks for delivering such a high quality video about the Blue Sona in a such short time 😀 Have you compared the Sona on the RodeCaster Pro 1 vs 2 in terms of possible disadvantages because of the built in booster of the Sona and the RCP 2 statement regarding additional signal boosting? It seems to work very well on the RCP2 😀👍🏻
Part of the magic of the RCP2 is that EVERYTHING works well one it 😁 Fortunately the Sona does still work well with the RCP1 since it's got the built in booster, but adding EQ takes a bit more time since there's no SM7B preset (which I really like on this one).
The many shootouts between the Sona and the SM7B have really emphasized how much the (gained-up) preamp contributes to the SM7B's sound. The Sona is much more consistent from preamp to preamp, for better or for worse. I will say that the Sona's switches seem to be somehow even less useful than the SM7B's, which is an achievement in itself lol Also, I'll note that the Sona's supercardioid polar pattern does require better mic technique (vis-à-vis the SM7B's cardioid polar pattern), which may not come easily for, say, a streamer who's primarily focused on a screen rather than mic position. Not necessarily a pro or a con-just something to keep in mind.
Haha, I hear you on the switches. I always just keep my SM7B switches to the default position. You're totally right about the polar pattern requiring better technique.
Whoosh, what was that animation at 04:40? Sooo cool, handmade I guess 🙂 Now, the mic, if the price difference is only $50, I'd still go for the SM7B, any day. I have loads of Logi products and like them, but nope. You fooled me with the blind test, but after you've revealed the nr. 1 and nr.2 and I watched again, I understood one thing, allow me to get nerdy on this end - the reason I was fooled was that the proximity from your mouth to the microphones became obvious from the side camera view. The Blue Sona needs less closer positioning of the mouth than the SM7B - in order to give that nice boomy bass. I guess it's that they adjusted the pickup pattern to allow for more distance before loosing the basses. On the SM7B it's like 2-3 inches and then it's gone. That's what my ears hear sire dear (destroyed from years of touring and playing without protection - kids... beware!). This has become an essay but I'll still continue to say that I do agree with your final judgement, and speaking from the practical view the Sona is a great mic to get, versatile, good sounding, personally I don't like the design at all but _that's_ really only me. Great review as always Tom!
GoPro 11 light painting! Next week's video is going to be all about it 👍 The Sona is definitely a bit more forgiving if you get away from it a bit, which is probably a great thing in terms of usability for "the average Joe (or Mac 😁). I still love the SM7B, but I'm just super excited to have a VERY similar sounding mic that's easy to recommend to anyone wanting an upgrade without already owning a bunch of equipment.
I noticed for my voice that if I do some EQ with the flat sound, I sound really good for video recordings. For livestreams, my Vocaster One's Radio EQ setting with some adjustments to the compression and EQ sliders with the Sona's presence boost turned on also makes my voice sound good for livestreaming situations. Again, this is mostly for my voice which is bassy in the low tones and sounds less bassy the higher or more excited I get.
The Sona sounds slightly more distorted in the low mids, and is slightly more sibilant. However it sounds identical otherwise and no one is ever going to hear the difference that's for sure. Great mic either way, and might even be better for a lot of people since it'll probably be easier to dial in than the SM7b.
Was looking at the procaster but it's quite expensive in Taiwan, so for a little more I can grab the sm7b, the Sona isn't even available here. I'm just thinking about if a cloudlifter is needed or not for the sm7b with the Rodecaster pro 1
I love my sona great review btw. Also I used both of the switch at the same time of the sona the bass cut and presence for my voice it is good its more clearer. I upgraded from an Audio-Technica bp40 the Sona sounded better and more clearer.
Yep, so much depends on specific voices! I've got friends who never need boosters with the SM7B because they just have such naturally loud/boomy voices while I always need one (or the RCP2) to make it sound it's best. Tons of variables in the audio world, so it's always important to focus on what works for yo bas an individual 👍
In early 2024 Logitech rebranded the Blue Sona as the "Yeti Studio." From what I understand, it's the exact same mic and the only difference is the logo on the backplate. It's a bummer to see the Blue name slip further away, but it seems like this is just another fun consequence of corporate mergers 😉
SNR also slightly different and new one can't run off 24V phantom power like Blue Sona.
they still sell both which is super confusing, I was on there page trying to figure out what the difference was between them
“I’m really attracted to the implementation of the magnets” that’s the most clever pun I have ever heard.
I was very proud of that one 🧲
I heard Tom actually had the mic portion of this review ready a week ago but it took him another week to nail down puns to tie it all together. Great review as always!
That's definitely the most time-consuming part of production. My writing staff and I spend a lot of late nights putting it all together. 😬
@@tombuck over tequila I'm sure... I prefer G&T when pulling it all together...
@@tombuck The B&H Link for the mic is goes to a TH-cam.
Wild. I actually vastly preferred the blue sona in the blind test.
Thanks so much for this video, it’s fantastic as always, Tom!
Thanks Cole! I had the same thoughts about the blind test.
@@tombuck Nice. I basically thought the same. There is a subtle difference between both microphones and I'd say it really depends on the voice and preference.
The Sona seems to be a quite decent microphone. The only reason going for the SM7B might still be, that it has proven to be tough and it just has a bit more reputation, but I am really surprised by the blind test.
Same I preferred 2nd mic, it sounds more full?
SM7B $399, Blue Sona $349. If you have an SM7B currently, just stick with it. If you're looking to get your first pro mic then save $50 and get the Blue Sona. Although, during black Friday, the Shure typically goes on sale. I bought an SM7B last year from Amazon for $299. However, I use my $99 Rode PodMic 95% of the time.
Yep, this is the smartest way. It'll be interesting to see what happens with holiday sales. With the Earthworks ETHOS also now being priced the same as the SM7B, I'm thinking Shure might try and really offer some tempting price cuts.
@@tombuck ETHOS seems like a steal at $399
Shure SM7B it is legendary microphone... I think blue sona very overpriced. It must cost 150 dollars or something like that.
You are saving more than 50 bucks. Remember that the sona includes the booster. That’s at least an additional $100 savings
This is why I wish I lived in America sometimes. We never have great deals like this in the Uk. 😢
This is, hands down, the best review for the Blue Sona out there yet! I've always wondered if the audio quality would change depending on which audio interface the microphone was hooked to but always got bummed that no one seemed to test that in their reviews, so thank you very much for showing us the quality of the Blue Sona across different audio interfaces, including budget ones! Extremely helpful video that absolutely aided me in choosing my next mic, I'll be upgrading from a Rode NT-USB so I'm really looking forward to the improvement in quality!
Happily subscribed! Thank you!
I thank you so much! I was really surprised at the differences between interfaces! Definitely something that’s important to consider. Hope you really enjoy the mic!
about interfaces, i think podcastage might have done a test comparing an interface with a similar performance with a relatively "budget" interface vs something that costs more
I really could not here a difference in the blind test ... before I thought the SMB7 sounds better ... so I listened more with my eyes than my ears ... 😉
As a content creator, I simply LOVED all in this mic. It's just perfect in many aspects. But the price... I think this could be more cheaper, but it's ok for a new product.
They'd definitely dominate if it could somehow be $250 instead of $350, but it's a super high quality mic. I think some of the promo photos make it look a little cheap/consumer-y, but in person it's shockingly high quality.
I took a part out of the video for the sake of time where I talked about how you really do feel like you get your money's worth with the Sona. Everything about it, form the actual mic fit and finish to the includes accessories just feel premium, so even though it's pricey, it's one of those things where you feel like you used the money well.
Considering most audio interfaces require some kind of preamp booster like a Cloud Lifter or Fethead in order to drive an SM7B, you can basically factor that in to the price difference. There aren't too many sub-$200 interfaces that can drive it cleanly. Scarlett interfaces really should not be pushed beyond 50%. RCP uses very clean preamps, but it costs $700. Same thing with my Zoom F6. I'm currently testing the Wave XLR ($180) by Elgato - and it _can_ drive the SM7B (at 75%) pretty cleanly. Fethead runs $100 and a Cloud Lifter runs $150. You could also use an audio strip with a preamp (dbx286s) - but that runs about $250. But to your point, if this included a USB interface built-in like the Shure MV7, it would be a solid pick at $300-ish. I'm also playing around with the MV7. You can certainly tell the difference but only if you compare them side-by-side.
It’s currently $299 after a discount on Logitech’s site. Inching closer…
Blue Sona definitely for present and future generations for ease of use. The over all clarity is nice and more pleasing to my ears with your presentation and I own a shure sm7b. I will be purchasing a Blue Sona for more versatility.
While I think they sound extremely similar, as I rewatch this video, I do think I actually prefer the Sona (especially with the SM7B preset in the RCP). It's a really awesome mic!
I have developed a resistance to all your jokes and puns. No reluctant laughs, no eye rolling. But I couldn’t help but smile when you used the encabulator script for the mic test. Nice touch.
Victory.
Bought this yesterday and I just discovered this video today. The best video on this mic on TH-cam.
Thank you! Hope you like your mic 👍
love the design of the Sona. I know the SM7B is a very popular mic but it's so nice to see something that can compare and, in my opinion, look better on camera.
Agreed. I'm glad they didn't tie it to any apps or software or anything- it's just a super solid XLR mic. That makes me hopeful that it'll stick around for a number of years.
I'm surprised about the result of the mic test, because I thought no 2 has a fuller and warmer sound, which I thought would be the SM7B. The Sona does sound great!
You are so Punny, it cracks me up! Absolutely EGG-celent. As someone who watches hours of youtube reviews when I want to purchase something, like literal hours. From the most viewed all the way down to people with under a hundred views, I must say thank you. Your reviews are very on point, discuss many different factors and random things that not a lot of people think about. Also the fact that you can get super techy and super just normal consumer talk is hugely appreciated. I watch and enjoy Podcastage, but half the stuff I have no idea what hes talking about because of my lack of knowledge so I get bored. I have sat through every minute of every review I have watched from you so far. So again, a huge thanks a GG (Good Game/Job) Side Note/Main Point: I recently upgraded from a PodMic to a SM7B. Sounded "OK" but it didn't work well with my mic arm (Blue Compass) because of the connector. I use it through my Wave XLR. Wasn't happy so wanted to get a new mic. Watched your review on the Procaster and was 99% all for it. Then comes the review of the Sona and the review on the Earthworks ETHOS. Guessed correct on both Mystery Tests, and they both sound amazing and now I am so divided. LOL. Anyways enough rambling, seriously just wanted to say thank you! Mahalo from Hawaii!!!
Hey thank you! I'm also someone who goes down the "research rabbit hole" when thinking of buying something, so this means a lot to hear.
If you're still searching for a mic, I've heard that B&H currently has the ETHOS marked down to $299!
But if you've already got the SM7B, you might want to try out a simple booster like the Klark Teknik CT-1. It's usually about $40 and can really make a difference. 👍
@@tombuck Is it okay if i fan boy for a bit!! LOL Decided on returning the SM7b. Saw BnH had it for 399. Checked again last night and saw the price of $299.00!!! Decision was made right then and there. Hopefully your link is an affiliate link through BnH!!! Paid extra for overnight shipping even though that doesnt exisit in hawaii, so interested to see when it gets here. SO excited to debut it on stream.!! Thank you so much again for the review!!! Aloha
I think one of the key takeaways again here is that the Rodecaster pro can make almost any basic mic sound fantastic so that is probably a better place to start if it's within the budget. I have the original Rodecaster pro 1 and I've tried sure sm58's they sound great, rode podmics, they sound great and also have a shure super 55 solely because I love Elvis and the old school rockabilly style mic looks. And verdict is ... They all sound fantastic in a live stream, live restaurant setting where people are eating and dining in the same room. The Rodecaster one is fantastic however still considering the 2 just because it looks awesome and I'm such a fan of the 1. Great vids, keep em coming
Amazing. I'm using three AT2020's for now but once I grow and get a budget I'll definitely be updating to the Blue Sona, since it's more modern, doesn't need a cloudlifter, and just sounds bettter!
Oh, and it's cheaper too.
It's just absolutely awesome for so many reasons! The 2020 is pretty fantastic too though, so I'm sure your current recordings sound fantastic.
Other than the sibilance that accompanies the mic, the Sona sounds quite nice. Great they added an active preamp (a la sE Dynacaster) as part of their mic design.
I currently have a GoXLR (which can fully power the SM7B), and I do most of my voice overs in a somewhat treated space (still got a decent bit of echo). Does the Blue Sona do a better job of avoiding background noise compared to the Shure SM7B? Or should I just spend the extra $50 on the SM7B since I already own the gear to power it?
That’s a good question. From what I’ve noticed, the Sona is quieter because it requires less gain. So even though the GoXLR can run the SM7B, it’ll need to be at a higher gain level, which will likely introduce a bit of noise. That being said, with something like the Go, it probably won’t be a huge issue since that’s what it’s made for, so it probably just depends on which mic you like the sound of more. You can’t go wrong either way 👍
@@tombuck I just decided that I'm gonna buy both and send back the one I am not going to use, thanks for the answer!
I love the fact that you view Everything just on the objective side and with a lot of caution in your wording. You are just spitting out facts. I wanted to get a new Mic and the more i am looking for what to pick the more i Value your Reviews. It really helps me out alot so thank you very much !
Can’t wait to buy it in Taiwan! Finally a competitor against SM7B!
A legit, true competitor (in my opinion).
Great video as always, I was waiting for this video to buy the Sona, on my way to the store 😍😍😍
Thanks José! It's a really great mic! I'm excited to work on some podcast episodes with it this week. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for your video. Your work is more 'professional' than the work of many so called professionals. David
Thank you David! I appreciate the kind words! 🙏
Podcastage
The B&H link seems to go to a video on your other channel, rather than B&H. I have done this in the past too, all that cut and pasting!
Thanks for catching that! Fixed now 👍
Great video Tom! Love the style of the Sona. Prob'ly not worth swapping out our combo of procasters and podmics for now - but one to keep an eye on for the future.
If you've already got a setup that's working for you, there's definitely no need to switch it up (if it ain't broke, don't fix it). But I'm really excited to see something genuinely new being brought to the table. 😎
Wow I am impressed by the Sona! I could tell which mic was which in the blind test, the Sona had a bit more presence or treble, but I thought they were very close and I preferred the Sona over the sm7b. Crazy! Great review as always!
SM7b would Lose each and every blind test against numerous 100$ condenser mics.
It's just not meant to be used without eq. It's not even meant to be used for spoken word at all.....
The Blue Sona walks the path of the Se Electronics Dynacaster.
Included booster and EQ switches.
I'm glad more of those being released.
Definitely great features to see in more mics 👍
...I was wrong hahaha
I definitely preferred the "Mic 2" during your blind test...I'm pleasantly surprised. I've used the Blue Kiwi for many years so, naturally, I have a soft spot for Blue in general...Thank you for solidifying my future purchase!
I ended up forgetting which was which when editing and I preferred mic 2 too 😁
@@tombuck knowing how much you love the SM7B, that statement is a true testament to the performance of the Sona. I'm very excited to get one on order and put it through its paces! Thanks again for such a thorough demonstration.
It's a great one! The SM7B took a while to worm its way into my heart, but I really do love it and appreciate its legacy.
Hi Sir. In the blind test I could tell the difference and preferred Mic 1 and the reason being was the plosive rejection. They both sound great and very similar in your set up. Other TH-camr videos have had a much more obvious difference. But in your expensive blind test booth 😉 the plosives on the Blue mic was the tell tale sign. On the Scarlet interface I think I marginally preferred the Sona.
Since I Have the Rocaster Pro 2 and a Samson 2QU my sound is adequate for my needs. (No one has complained that my sound sucks)
Great video as always. Thanks for being Awesome.🤘
There's definitely a plosive difference between the two, but fortunately the Sona is still pretty darn good.
The Q2u is a REALLY great mic, and I'm sure it sounds awesome though your RCP2 😎
Definitely has a nice sound. A sort of modernization of the sound profile itself, since its easier to run these modern mics, rather than 1970's technology.
Yeah, that's a great way to put it: "a modernization of the sound profile itself."
Great review. I am really impressed by the Blue Sona. I was considering getting the Sm7B, but you helped me make up my mind. I'll pick the Sona one paired with the Vocaster Two interface. Cheaper, and performs at the same level, if not better, considering the gain level advantage.
That'll be a great combo, I'm really happy the video was helpful! The SM7B will always be a special mic, but I'e done a ton of side-by-sides now and I can confidently say that I do genuinely prefer the sound of the Sona. 👍
I think you should consider sE DynaCaster prior decide to choose Blue Sona.
@@nata.sasmita i will check it out, thanks 👍
Hey Tom, thanks for another great video as always! For podcasters like myself, it is great to know about all of the different microphone options that are out there.
Your knowledge of all of this equipment is very impressive! Also, just bought myself the original RODECaster Pro! It is really going to bring my podcast productions to the next level. Love all of your videos on the RODECaster as well.
Stay safe and well and have a great day!
Thanks Hamilton! I hope you're enjoying the RCP! It's such an incredible tool and there are so many cool things it can do!
@@tombuck Absolutely! Can't wait to start working with it for my podcasts. Excited to see your upcoming videos! Keep up the great work!
I think they made a marketing mistake with the price. at 275-299 they would ‘own’ the market. Nice video excellent into to the total cost and worked needed for a good sounding Mic. Rode doesn’t want a cloud lifter and basically the Sona, has a built in Cloudlifter. Base-cut and boost are overdone but that can probably be fixed in a firmware. Nice job Tom!
I asked Rode about this and they said they'll get back to me. I'm sure their not too worried about trying to make their gear super setup for a random competitor, but it's a curious question.
I really enjoyed all the Yokes in this video! also LIght painting for B-Roll on the Sona was AWESOME!
Thanks Morty! The GoPro light paining video is coming next week 👍
oh wow that off -axis rejection is really intense. good vid as always.
literally couldnt tell a difference between them with studio headphones on! very impressive work by blue
Your video just saved me from spending the extra money. I have the Rodecaster Pro 2 for my podcast set up. We use the Rode Podmic . But at my desk I plan to start a solo podcast and I have the Vocaster , I was going to buy the SM7B but now I’m going to go for the Blue Sona 😎
Thanks Tom!
So glad to hear it! You’ll love the Sona, it’s a great mic 😎
honestly I like the Sona's sound better in that test but I did think it was the sm7b in the test, soooooo I know what Mic I am getting thank you!
I think Logi did a lot of testing and research into what the SM7B sounds like as well as its construction and isolation system and then added the built in pre-amp which was a great idea in my opinion because it opens it up to more people as there is no need to buy a separate booster for the many who own interfaces like the Focusrite 2i2 that benefit from a built in booster. I also like the design overall that the Sona has. I would say they really did their homework on this one. Congrats to the engineering team I think they did a great job on the design of the mic. They sound very close to me, I only hear very slight differences from one to the other. Plus I like the fact that you also show that aftermarket colored windscreens do in fact fit and look quite good on the Sona even though they are round. Great video.
Both Amazing Mics, I think the Sonar sounds fantastic... well done Logitech
i got my sona today i absolutly love it. Thanks for the review :D
So glad you're liking it! I hope you have a ton of fun with it.
im going to pick up the Blue Sona, my work has a discount with Logitech, so i can grab it for 250. going to give it a shot. see how it sounds.. Appreciate the review
Great deal! Definitely a steal at that price.
Nice comparison. I also preferred the Blue Sona in the blind test.
The Sona really is awesome!
The Sona has depth and a clarity that I really like. Great comparison video.
I love it! I'll be producing some podcast episodes with it this week and Im really excited for it 😎
Tom, as a guy who makes a ton of dad jokes and puns in the videos on his channel, I just want to tell you I appreciate the work here. I know firsthand that writing dad jokes is harder than it looks. :p
I pay my writing staff very well. 😁
(but seriously, thank you)
Fantastic, Tom!!! Thanks for putting so much time and attention to your review of the Blue Sona. I've seen a few videos, but "didn't get it." You really explain it well! Thanks!
I'm sorry it's not the "Green Sona" 😬
@@tombuck well….that’s a good thing! Makes it easy NOT to buy! 🤪
That red wind screen is going to become kind of popular for the gaming streaming Comunity. The sound of the microphone is so good and that look it’s so cool. They should make the wind screen in different colors. Like your videos , I’m always watching
Thank you! I have a feeling they'll release the windscreen in different colors, but I'm surprised that wasn't an option at release. I love it though, if a mic is going to be on camera there's no reason not to make it look how you like 👍
Totally agree with you. Some people like colors in their set up and they can match that beautiful microphone. Also I’m pretty impressed with the audio quality when is connected in a regular audio interface without any microphone lifter.
My problem in the blind tests is that I'm better at telling which is which than I am at deciding which one I prefer!
That said, I'm glad you do them, it really astonished me how hard it was to guess which was which. I think the Sona has a more nasally or mid-high tone, but in some ways the brightness is appreciated. I think it even depends on speech delivery and a person's voice which mic will sound better, and I think they're close enough it could be that either is fine. I think the SM7B's quality is just that little much better, but if the saying is true that "gear doesn't matter, your content does", then having *such a similar mic* should really check the box and then some if someone was considering the SM7B and might try the Sona instead...
I'm a little disappointed the Sona isn't even less expensive, but the fact that it costs *a little less* while being more convenient and not needing a booster or a mega-advanced interface (potentially saving you more money) is not nothing, for sure.
..i believe there is a typo error "IsThe Sony Just A Copy"..Sony .. Sona.. ..it looks cool, and sounds good..just the price, on the upper limit.. Nice video! Hope all good with you both and dogs!
Thanks for catching that! My autocorrect kept replacing Sona with Sony 😁
Never thought #2 would be the Sona. They’re pretty similar. But #2 would be my choice 😉
Me too! I was honestly surprised by that.
Bravo! The interface tests are what sets you apart. Excellent job! Thank you very much!
EDIT: I'm ready for Oktoberfest! (I'm talking about the outro music ;) )
Haha, I was wondering if anyone would make the Oktoberfest connection 😁
The interface comparisons really surprised me! Everything sounds great through the RCP, but I didn't expect such huge differences with the others. Definitely makes the Sona a go-to recommendation for me.
Awesome! I'm looking at upgrading from a headset to something on the more "enthusiast side" and I think this is exactly it! Thank you for the video, super helpful :)
Damn The Blue Sona is just more modern and convenient than the SM7B. It's great that you don't need to buy a Cloudlifter or any booster just to make your mic sound better. I'll wait for Black Friday sales and see which one's cheaper though since I just got the Elgato Wave DX.
Shure did a pretty huge sale on the SM7B last year, so I feel like they'll probably do that again this year with all the added competition.
I'm wondering if Logitech will be able to discount the Sona by then. I know it's usually harder to put new things on sale because they're still recouping costs, but who knows. 🤷🏻♂️
@@tombuck hi what was the sale?
It was just some Black Friday sales in November. Keep an eye out this year 👍
Amazing comparison, exactly as I imagined the video.
From the first look, I thought the Sona was a cheap mic because it looked like white plastic. But good to hear that the quality is also good. Would love to see a comparison to my Shure MV7.. Great work Tom 👏
I had the same initial thoughts! I was really happy to find out the the Sona is super well built.
Sound-wise, it's fairly similar to the MV7 but the Mv7 is a bit more prone to plosives and obviously doesn't have the built in booster (but DOES have USB functionality). I probably should've included a comparison here haha 😬
@@tombuck ah cool, thanks. There is always something you could add, but not needed at all. Loved the video.
Great video as always! I literally just bought an SM7B with a Cloudlifter today. Not that I'm not happy with my setup, but had I watched your video sooner, I would've waited for the Blue Sona (or at least waited for more comparison videos) before making a purchase. Love the built in booster of the Blue Sona!
Great job on the review. I actually really appreciated the blind test. I will be getting the sona!
Wow. I was one of those people that love the SM7B. The Sona sounds great. I do love the Sure better with processing turnd on. Im really looking at the Sona closely
I've been so impressed with it (and I still love my SM7B too). The Sona with the SM7B preset is my favorite.
@@tombuck I agree. You blind test was great. I feel in love with the SM7B the first time I heard. Im currently using sampson Qu2 and the Fduce knock of sure MV7. Im looking forward to purchasing the Rode Podcaster to make those fine adjustments. Great video always looking forward to what you will post or stream next.
I'm SHURE to learn from all of your videos. Thank You for all the sound advice.
I'm always happy to provide sound advice for your sound device 👍
Review recommendation: I just got FDUCE SL40 for 80€ + shipping. Seems like a fantastic budget entry into SM7B-like mics. Very "curation over configuration" mindset, very plug-and-play. My poorly treated room sounds so much better. Would be interested to see you review this lil guy.
Interesting! Looks like an SM7B/MV7 hybrid. Good to know it's worked well in an untreated space. Thanks for the recommendation, I can definitely add it on my ideas list 👍
When I see the Mystery Mic Box come out I know we gonna get down to the nitty gritty... 🎙🎙
And though I'm not using my Yamaha mixer (RCP2) but I really liked it when it was paired with my dbx 286s and 131s and if I didn't need to have multiple mic inputs I never would have changed to the RCP2. If I didn't have the dbx unit the RCP2 is head and shoulders above the Yamaha in overall sound quality on spoken word like you said.
Yep, the Mystery Mic Box™ is when you know the video has a high budget. 🎩
great video as always 👏
PS: the links for the Blue Sona Microphone are duplicates.
Thanks for catching that! Fixed now 👍
That light painting though! This vs the Se Dynacaster would be pretty cool!
GoPro timelapse tutorial coming soon! 😁
The Dynacaster is a good option too, I'm just not a fan of the mount/form factor on it (but the sound quality/price/features are awesome).
Nicely done Tom 😊 I’m enjoying my Blue Sona as well too. It definitely surprised me.
Glad you're liking it too! It definitely caught me off guard, but I've been having a ton of fun with it.
Loved the blindfolded test! I actually preferred the Sona, which I didn’t expect :)
Me too!
Definately a difference, although subtile. But that's also true about the price really. The Shure is just marginally more expensive. Like the look of the Sona it's a pretty good looking mic imo.
#2 in the blind test for me! Great review, I'm impressed with Logitech's work on this mic
Same here!
surprisingly i felt the sona was smoother during the blindtest. impressed. im not an audio expert though
I'm no expert either, you just gotta go with what you like 👍
Thanks Tom, that was another fantastic and helpful video to watch. I have been "eyeing" the SM7V, but I guess I'll wait a little and see if the Blue Sona will convince me otherwise. I am still working with a USB mic, so your review on the Vocaster 2 was very helpful as well.
Interesting that the actual colors are graphite and off-white as opposed to black and white but that’s still better than something like stargazer cream and midnight charcoal.
Excellent review. I think you might have been a bit tough on the Yamaha mixer, but it is true that the mic preamps on low end mixers can be a bit noisy on high gain. To be fair, I have about 40 years experience in live sound and recording, which is a different game from podcasting. I probably wouldn’t use either of these microphones to record a choir.
Yeah, even though it's "Off White" it's just white in person. It's great! But it's just white.
The Yamaha mixer is amazing, but it's definitely form a time before podcasting/streaming/etc. To me it just emphasizes the importance of considering what your mics will be running thought and not just focusing on getting a great mic by itself. 👍
@@tombuck I failed to say that I liked the Blue a very tiny bit better, but it’s hard to describe why. I refuse to say absolute better or worse except there are some situations where certain microphones are just not suited, which is why I own about 20 different models.
Tom Buck. It's been a while, but you still rock!!!
I'd like to see you compare the current crop of microphones against vintage broadcast microphones - like the RCA 44 & 77, Shure 55 (the vintage one, not the repop), EV 66, maybe even some of the cool old carbon mikes.
That would be incredible fun!
@@tombuck I think so too. Isn't it cool having random strangers assigning work to you?
For $50 less, you'd be hard-pressed to hear any sort of difference in audio quality. I think Blue really knocked it out the park and _blue_ its competition away. It's a modernized SM7B with even better gain control thanks to the ClearAmp technology. If you weren't going with a less expensive, more budget option this is probably the one you'd want to go for.
EDIT: I ended up buying it. It's seriously so much better than it has any right to be. I stand by my statement that for $50 less you'd be hard-pressed to find a practical difference between this and the SM7B. For spoken voice content creators that don't do music, this stands really high up there.
I'm really excited to see a "modern SM7B." I thought that's what Shure was going to do with the MV7, and while that is a terrific mic, it's definitely something different.
Getting the SM7B was such a let down for me.
Had to get a cloud lifter and still didn’t care for the sound. Then upgraded the interface - still wasn’t happy. Upgraded the interface to a GoXLR and bc I use a MacBook it wasn’t compatible.
For the sound I want, I’m still going to have to spend another $600 for the interface like you have. Kind of disappointing.
This definitely isn't an uncommon situation, and it really does come from the SM7B's original intent as a truly pro studio microphone. It's REALLY nice to have more accessible options that still deliver that same great quality now.
It's nice to see another brand offering a dynamic broadcast mic with an in-built phantom-powered preamp, a la the Aston Stealth and sE Dynacaster. It just seems like such an obvious design decision give the prominence of the Fethead, CouldLifter, sE Dynamite, Soyuz Launcher, etc. The design aesthetic of this mic seems to be kinda divisive. I personally think it's pretty cool, although I'd prefer the body in black, or maybe like a charcoal gray. As others have stated, it does seem a little spendy. I could see this settling in around $260-275, which I think would be a fair price.
I'm wondering if they'll lower the price at some point. I think it's worth it, but it would definitely attract a lot more users if it were under $300.
First I have heard of this mic. Thanks for the video Tom!
Great video Tom! I bought a Rode Procaster a few weeks ago... it is fantastic! This mic would hit a little bit harder for me if it were about $100 cheaper. than the SM7B :) I owned the Blue Spark for a while.. it was a great mic. No doubt with Blue being involved the mic is great, but putting Logitec's name on it makes me feel like it was intended to be a consumer level mic and the price seems a bit much. Being so close in price.. most will pick the SM7B.. because of the mic's heritage. Great review. I am really impressed, great job Logitec!
I'm definitely confused about the Logitech/Blue relationship and who gets top billing, but either way, it's a super outstanding mic! So I'm happy. 😁
@@tombuck it really is impressive.
Sounds great! IMO the best sounding spoken word mic out there right now is the Rode Procaster. Sounded better to me than the SM7B in a blind test, and it's under $200. And then of course the Rode Podmic is just an absolute steal for $100 or less.
Every time you turn around a new mic is coming out 🤣😂… I have a Samson q92 and a re27nd… I may get the shure sm7b just for vocal recording. I use the other mics for my podcasts and live stream… I do have condenser mics for recording but I want to add a dynamic mic to my recording for singing… great review
It's pretty crazy how much competition there is in this space at the moment. The Sona is one of the rare ones that I think really does bring something new to the tables rather than "Company X's version of Company Y's mic" that we've seen a lot.
Even though it kind of is Blue's version of the SM7B. 😬
My only complaint with my SM7b is that I haven't been able to get it dialed in where it doesn't pick up mouth noise. It's been a big struggle for the past couple years
Ahh yes, that can be tricky. Some of it can be remedied by adjusting mic technique, but I also no a few people who use “de-clicking” plugins to help too.
The Blue Sona has caught my eye for sure. Only problem is just getting an SE Electronics Dynacaster in June with quite a bit of feature parody for $60 less. Sure aesthetically the Sona is perhaps more eye catching as it draws from the SM7B, but the difference in function and sound is making me wonder how much is gained or lost with a price that competitive between the Dynacaster and the Sona. Also of note, the Dynacaster can toggle between active and passive mode which can make a huge difference for those using portable recorders for podcasting over a mixer setup as far as battery life can go.
The active/passive switch is a huge benefit. I didn't realize the Dynacaster could do that!
Wow. On the blind test, I guessed the wrong one! And, I even said, oh that’s definitely the shure 🤦🏽♂️
So you weren't really Shure? 😬
I heard clearly a differece between both mics. The Sona had a metallic sound compare to the very warm and soft SM7B. Both are great
Yeah, "metallic" is a good way to put it (but I like it).
Thanks for the review. It seems really impressive, but I think the price point is not competitive. Here in Europe ( specifically in Germany) the Shure SM7B is 359€ and the Blue Sona is 349€. My question to you Tom, which one would you choose if you were here in Germany :) Thanks!
Interesting that they're so close! I would still base the decision on what equipment you have. If you have a good preamp/mixer/booster, then the SM7B is a classic that won't regret and it'll last for the rest of your life.
If you're working with a basic interface, then the Sona is definitely the way to go. Not needing more gear or boosters is a huge cost-saving benefit of the Sona, even if the base prices aren't that different.
@@tombuck thanks for the advice. I'm currently using Sennheiser MKE 600 with Mix Pre 3 II, which I'm totally happy with, but Shure SM7B tempts me extremely.
The blind test confirmed what I though initially, the SM7B picks up just a bit more room noise, but otherwise very similar.
I guessed correctly on the mystery mic, but I had a 50/50 chance so... The Logi mic removes the need for additional hardware, so the cost savings is more than just the purchase price. The main takeaway from this though was that I don't need a Rodecaster mixer! The differences were negligible.
Haha, those are pretty good odds I suppose 😁
And you're totally right about the RCP. While it's absolutely incredible in terms of features, if you're just looking for an interface for one or two mics, there are definitely other options (the Vocaster Two is really impressive).
Good review, first off. But, hmm,... on the fence about this. I watched first on treadmill, where I watch youtube frequently. There was no comparison: through the crappy TV speakers-- the SM7b had a clarity on your voice that the Sona could not match. The Sona sounded muddy, almost underwater. But.. I switched to airpods pro, what most people listen to a podcast with, I would imagine. There I could hear what you were talking about. This mic sounded really good--although I still thought the 7b was better. But listening through the airpods, I could see how someone might begin to weigh in the built in pre, savings on cost, etc. Still, the SM7b is a tried and true classic. This is the new kid. If it were my dollars, I would understand that I need to build in a cloudlifter to the cost of a SM7b. And if I had the Rodecaster II, there would be no contest--the SM7b is just, I believe, a better bet. And...btw, I rarely use my SM7b. I gravitate to either an RE20 or a Neumann BCM705 Dynamic. So I'm not a 7b apologist. I just feel with the Sona this close in price, you stick with the classic. Thanks for the great review, Tom!
There really are so many variables. While editing/recording I switched between Rode headphones, AirPods, MacBook speakers, and living room sound system and there were definitely differences across each system. I was surprised that I found I preferred the Sona over the SM7B in each case though.
The RE20 is definitely a great one. We did a blindfolded mic test with all of mine a few months ago and that was the one I ended up choosing. 😁
lol 15:00 I like the blind box🤣 I honestly couldn't tell much of a difference wow👏
I am curious to see how well the Blue Sona will sell. Its in a very tough price zone particularly for a newcomer. My take is that the Blue Sona will go on sale once the hype is over.
It'll definitely be interesting to see. I feel that it's fairly priced, but I think I might also have spent too much time with microphones where I'm forgetting that the idea of spending $200+ on a mic seems completely absurd when getting started or making a first upgrade.
Great vid. Surprised I preferred the Blue Sona. Bass sounds deeper. Other mics with the same built-in preamp concept (but switchable) to consider include the SE Dynacaster and Aston Stealth. In future vids, can you extend the time to listen to the noise floor? thx!
Yes, definitely! I realized how short it was while editing. It's one of those things where during recording it feels like I'm sitting there forever, and then watching it back it's only like 2 seconds. 🤦🏻♂️
How does the Beacn mic compare to the Blue Sona? I ended up getting a blue sona but I really like the beacn mic as well.
I haven't used the BEACN myself, but I think they're pretty different based on what I know, and I personally prefer the sound of the Sona.
Came back to revisit this video to see if I should recommend the Sona to people when they are asking me about the SM7B, and darn it, that Sona does make Tom's voice just a tad bit better!
I'd say this: the $50 price difference is negligible. That's not a legitimate reason to get the Sona instead of the Shure.
But if you're recommending a mic to a "newbie," and they want SM7B sound but don't care about branding, this is an obvious choice.
It removes the added complication and cost (typically average $100 extra) of a gain booster for the Shure.
That being said, before buying a Blue Sona instead of a Shure SM7B, go and listen to other reviewers with different types of voices to hear how it sounds on different people. If you have a voice similar to Tom's, and you're not dead set on buying the Shure, just get the Blue Sona.
But there's no denying the ubiquity of the Shure SM7B. If part of the reason you want one, and not a knockoff of one, is because of the iconic design and nostalgic, shiny "piece of history" aspect to it, you're not gonna be happy until you've bought at least one SM7B😂 that's certainly why I bought mine, even though there are fantastic options out there that would suit my purposes for way less money.
You're totally right in that It really does depend on a person's specific voice. The Sona is really great though! I'm currently working on a review for the Shure SM7dB, which includes some Sona comparisons and it really does shine...and is $150 cheaper than the SM7dB.
That being said, you're also totally right about wanting "the real thing." If you want an SM7B, nothing else will really scratch the itch.
@@tombuck not to try and taint your own thoughts that you're forming for your review (I'm sure you'll do it in good ole Tommy B style as usual), all things considered (including price), I think Aidan Wolf over at Dark Corner Studios put it well in his recent review of the SM7dB: "This mic would have been mic of the year... In 2020."
although I have an SM7B I had the Sona for a while and was like meh, don't need it!, Then it hit $250. I managed to get one for around $185 and am glad to be revisiting it. Nice mic for sure!
Microphone Two was my Favourite
You’re a great teacher! 🏆 I learned a ton not only about the new microphone, but also about important considerations for audio recording.
As you said, *you don’t know what you don’t know*!! Thanks for helping us to understand a little more.
I may need to get myself one of those nifty boards instead of just plugging my Rode video mic into my Sony a7iv!
That may require a mic with Phantom power! 💥
Thank you sir! There Rode mic into the Sony is more than enough for just about everything (and there's no need to sync anything)!
The Vocaster Two interface DOES have a camera output though, so it makes it really easy to connect XLR mics to any camera with a regular mic jack 💡
Many thanks for delivering such a high quality video about the Blue Sona in a such short time 😀 Have you compared the Sona on the RodeCaster Pro 1 vs 2 in terms of possible disadvantages because of the built in booster of the Sona and the RCP 2 statement regarding additional signal boosting? It seems to work very well on the RCP2 😀👍🏻
Part of the magic of the RCP2 is that EVERYTHING works well one it 😁
Fortunately the Sona does still work well with the RCP1 since it's got the built in booster, but adding EQ takes a bit more time since there's no SM7B preset (which I really like on this one).
@@tombuck Many thanks. Note to myself: „stay strong and don‘t by the RPC2.“ 🙈🙏
The many shootouts between the Sona and the SM7B have really emphasized how much the (gained-up) preamp contributes to the SM7B's sound. The Sona is much more consistent from preamp to preamp, for better or for worse. I will say that the Sona's switches seem to be somehow even less useful than the SM7B's, which is an achievement in itself lol
Also, I'll note that the Sona's supercardioid polar pattern does require better mic technique (vis-à-vis the SM7B's cardioid polar pattern), which may not come easily for, say, a streamer who's primarily focused on a screen rather than mic position. Not necessarily a pro or a con-just something to keep in mind.
Haha, I hear you on the switches. I always just keep my SM7B switches to the default position. You're totally right about the polar pattern requiring better technique.
Whoosh, what was that animation at 04:40? Sooo cool, handmade I guess 🙂 Now, the mic, if the price difference is only $50, I'd still go for the SM7B, any day. I have loads of Logi products and like them, but nope.
You fooled me with the blind test, but after you've revealed the nr. 1 and nr.2 and I watched again, I understood one thing, allow me to get nerdy on this end - the reason I was fooled was that the proximity from your mouth to the microphones became obvious from the side camera view. The Blue Sona needs less closer positioning of the mouth than the SM7B - in order to give that nice boomy bass. I guess it's that they adjusted the pickup pattern to allow for more distance before loosing the basses. On the SM7B it's like 2-3 inches and then it's gone. That's what my ears hear sire dear (destroyed from years of touring and playing without protection - kids... beware!). This has become an essay but I'll still continue to say that I do agree with your final judgement, and speaking from the practical view the Sona is a great mic to get, versatile, good sounding, personally I don't like the design at all but _that's_ really only me. Great review as always Tom!
GoPro 11 light painting! Next week's video is going to be all about it 👍
The Sona is definitely a bit more forgiving if you get away from it a bit, which is probably a great thing in terms of usability for "the average Joe (or Mac 😁).
I still love the SM7B, but I'm just super excited to have a VERY similar sounding mic that's easy to recommend to anyone wanting an upgrade without already owning a bunch of equipment.
I noticed for my voice that if I do some EQ with the flat sound, I sound really good for video recordings. For livestreams, my Vocaster One's Radio EQ setting with some adjustments to the compression and EQ sliders with the Sona's presence boost turned on also makes my voice sound good for livestreaming situations. Again, this is mostly for my voice which is bassy in the low tones and sounds less bassy the higher or more excited I get.
The Sona sounds slightly more distorted in the low mids, and is slightly more sibilant. However it sounds identical otherwise and no one is ever going to hear the difference that's for sure. Great mic either way, and might even be better for a lot of people since it'll probably be easier to dial in than the SM7b.
I think there is a bit more sibilance, but side by side I actually prefer it.
Was looking at the procaster but it's quite expensive in Taiwan, so for a little more I can grab the sm7b, the Sona isn't even available here. I'm just thinking about if a cloudlifter is needed or not for the sm7b with the Rodecaster pro 1
I think you saw my other reply by now, but just in case, YES definitely use a booster. The Klark Teknik CT-1 is a great budget option.
I love my sona great review btw. Also I used both of the switch at the same time of the sona the bass cut and presence for my voice it is good its more clearer. I upgraded from an Audio-Technica bp40 the Sona sounded better and more clearer.
Yep, so much depends on specific voices! I've got friends who never need boosters with the SM7B because they just have such naturally loud/boomy voices while I always need one (or the RCP2) to make it sound it's best. Tons of variables in the audio world, so it's always important to focus on what works for yo bas an individual 👍
I think the ultimate setup is the blue sona with the elgato wave xlr interface
That would be a great one. I haven't used the Wave, but I know it's simple with tons of clean gain.
@@tombuck I picked up the blue sona a few days ago. It's really the best looking microphone. Great review by the way.