CES 2025 | Shure’s new MV7i podcasting mic is a 2-channel audio interface with built-in DSP effects

Shure knows a thing or two about making a good (and, importantly, popular) microphone, so it’s no surprise that its newly launched mic has the makings of a crowd favourite. Among the plethora of desktop USB mics on the market today, the MV7i, just launched at CES 2025, is somewhat unique.

It’s a USB mic that can act as a dual-input audio interface, complete with built-in DSP for processing audio. This not only reduces the number of devices an aspiring creator would have to buy, but also vastly simplifies and declutters their workflow.

While one channel of audio comes from the MV7i’s own capsule, the second comes from an XLR/TRS combo jack where you can plug in a dynamic or condenser mic, or an instrument like a guitar or digital piano. A USB-C connector allows you to take your audio to your computer, smartphone or tablet. There’s also a 3.5 mm headphone jack to monitor either input source directly. Altogether, it would be a great setup for a podcast interview, or for a singer-songwriter (or musician duo).

There’s some serious onboard DSP available for prettying up your audio. Auto Level Mode dynamically adjusts mic gain, based on the level and proximity of the source, and even room acoustics, making sure the audio is neither distorted nor inaudible. On the other hand, Shure’s proprietary SmartGate™ detects when a speaker stops talking and dramatically reduces the level. This eliminates background noise and crosstalk between the channels, say, in an interview where one person talks at a time.

Real-Time Denoiser, as the name suggests, reduces ambient noise, while the Digital Popper Stopper cuts down plosives in vocals – a task that otherwise requires a pop-filter accessory. Finally, there are three types of reverb available (Plate, Hall, Studio) with adjustable intensity.

By way of interface, there’s a colour-customisable LED touch panel (the same that debuted on the Shure MV7+), which can mute each channel with a touch and act as a live meter for the individual audio levels. Shure’s MOTIV Mix app for desktop and mobile allows further adjustments, such as channel configuration (Mixdown, Multi-Track or Stereo), DSP effects and the LED colours.

All these features won’t come cheap, though. The Shure MV7i is priced at $350, and is available on Amazon now. If you like the onboard DSP features and LED touch strip, but aren’t really looking for a dual-channel interface, the Shure MV7+, priced at $275, should serve you well while saving you a few bucks.