The choice of microphones available to, let’s be honest, people who aren’t emotionally invested in microphones, is mind-boggling these days. You see, not everybody wants to mess around with audio interfaces and a sea of cables and wires. The notion of being able to unpack, plug in and use a mic with the minimum of fuss is massively appealing, and the big mic brands are well aware of this.
Hence why I have the Shure MV6, a new dynamic USB microphone, in for review. The MV6 is aimed squarely at content creators, streamers, and podcasters who want high-quality audio without the complications of more advanced studio-style setups. Essentially, if you’ve ever wanted to up your microphone game, but haven’t got the stomach for adding audio interfaces, XLR cables and more into your setup, then the MV6 could be the perfect option for you.
It promises user-friendly design and top-tier noise isolation features, meaning it’s ideal for capturing clear vocals in a variety of environments. As part of Shure’s growing line of devices catering to the home studio and streaming markets (including the recent Shure SM4), the MV6 could be a real winner if it gets the basics right, i.e. simplicity, ease of use, and high-quality audio recordings. Let’s find out if it does that.
Shure MV6 review: What is it?
It’s clear when unboxing the MV6 that this isn’t a mic designed for studio snobs or audiophile producers. That’s not a criticism, by the way. The mic itself, for a start, comes with a pretty standard matte black chassis, but is punctuated by pops of lime green to introduce a bit of visual appeal. The theory being, I guess, that the mic will appear on cameras and live-streams, so you may as well have something that looks good.
Up front, the Shure MV6 promises plug-and-play functionality, making it exceptionally easy to use, even for beginners. The ubiquitous USB-C connection on the mic’s bottom allows for easy connection with computers or mobile devices, bypassing the need for a separate audio interface, while a 3.5mm headphone out means you can monitor your sound as you’re streaming or recording. It’s so simple and executed flawlessly.
At the heart of the MV6 is its dynamic capsule, which is ideal for speech and vocals. A cardioid polar pattern, designed to isolate the user's voice while minimising background noise, further adds to its desktop speech credentials. This is especially beneficial for those working in noisy or untreated environments, where controlling ambient sound is difficult. The mic's frequency response (50 Hz to 15 kHz) is optimised for vocal clarity, delivering crisp, focused audio that’s ideal for voice recording but slightly limited for capturing instruments with higher frequency detail. Put simply; if you’re looking for something to record your acoustic guitar then there are better options available to you at a similar price point.
The MV6 also features auto-level mode, which adjusts the microphone's sensitivity based on the distance between the user and the mic. This helps maintain consistent audio levels during dynamic recording sessions or streams, where users might shift around without realising it. Additionally, the built-in digital popper stopper minimises harsh plosive sounds, allowing for smoother vocal recordings without needing a separate pop filter.
In my opinion, a standout feature of the MV6 is its integration with the Shure MOTIV Mix app. This extends the microphone’s functionality massively and offers users much more control over their audio settings, granting access to a range of audio customization options, such as tone adjustment and noise reduction. Velvety broadcast tones are but a few clicks of the app away at all times.
One of the MOTIV Mix app’s most notable features is auto-levelling, which ensures your audio stays consistent even as you move closer or further away from the mic. This is particularly useful for streamers or podcasters who might not always maintain a consistent distance from the microphone during recording sessions. The app also offers three distinct tone presets - Dark, Natural, and Bright - allowing users to tailor the sound to suit different recording environments or personal preferences, making it much easier to capture professional-sounding audio without the need for external equipment.
Additionally, the app’s noise reduction feature helps to filter out unwanted background noise, such as fan hums or room reverb, ensuring a cleaner vocal track. While the noise reduction can sometimes be overly aggressive, cutting out subtler details in the recording, it’s an invaluable tool for users working in less-than-ideal recording spaces.
However, it's worth noting that the microphone itself lacks physical gain or volume controls, meaning all adjustments need to be made within the MOTIV Mix app. While this keeps the design sleek and compact, some users might miss the tactile feedback of manual control knobs.
Shure MV6 review: Performance & verdict
In real-world testing, I found the Shure MV6 excelled at delivering clean, professional-quality speech recordings. You’d expect it to do this anyway, but with the super-loud fan from my old gaming PC making it sound like lift-off at Cape Canaveral, the MV6 had an additional challenge to overcome. Thankfully, the mic was able to effectively block out that awful din, producing virtually noise-free recordings. Impressive. The auto-levelling feature, which ensures that your voice remains clear and consistent throughout your recording, was also put through its paces and performed as well as you’d expect. These two factors mean Shure’s promise of it being ideal for podcasters, streamers, and even voiceover artists who require a simple but reliable mic for spoken word recording rang true.
The microphone’s real-time denoiser and popper-stopper had a positive impact on both the quality of the captured sound and the ease with which it could be edited afterwards. In comparison to other USB microphones like the veteran Blue Yeti or gamer-focused Razer Seiren, I found the MV6 offered better background noise rejection which, when combined with the usual Shure levels of high-quality audio, makes it a better all-round choice.
What the MV6 lacks is an XLR output. This may or may not be an issue for you. However if you’re looking for more versatility, and the ability to choose between the simplicity of USB and the depth of a traditional XLR connection, then Shure’s own MV7+ might be a better - albeit more expensive - choice. The voice isolation functionality on the MV6, however, is a nifty trick you don’t see at this end of the price spectrum, ensuring your voice is always front and centre. I was also really impressed with the MOTIV Mix app, which went way above and beyond what you’d expect from a complementary app, giving you much deeper control over a variety of parameters which will make you sound the best you possibly can.
Overall, the Shure MV6 is a well-rounded, highly effective microphone that punches well above its price tag in terms of both build quality and performance. Its easy setup, superb noise isolation, and integration with the MOTIV Mix app make it a standout choice for content creators, podcasters, and streamers looking to up their audio game. While it might not satisfy users who prefer deeper, manual control over their settings, the app-based adjustments and auto-levelling offer a simple, intuitive way to capture consistent, high-quality audio. For those needing a step up from cheaper, more basic condenser microphones, the MV6 is an excellent investment.
Shure MV6 review: Hands-on demos
Brian MacDuff
Wasabi
LAS Curry
Shure MV6 review: Specifications
- Type: Dynamic
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency response: 50Hz to 15kHz
- Connection: USB-C
- Weight: 1,287g (inc. stand)
- Contact: Shure
