The Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone is an affordable but upmarket microphone that allows everyday gamers and streamers to enjoy a professional edge. Furthermore, this impressive dynamic capsule mic is available for under £130. As such, you get a lot of bang for your buck and an incredibly user-friendly option. Alongside this, the generous people at Shure have included MOTIV Mix Desktop software FOC.
This complete package lets newbie gamers or would-be streamers sound like a professional without the headache of top-end software and bank-breaking budgets. Additionally, the USB approach is versatile and user-friendly. Though I appreciate the professional edge of the MV7 and SM7 alternatives, it is more plug-and-play, and many people will find that appealing.
The setup is fantastic, but it is the technology that piqued my interest. The voice isolation tech combined with the auto gain and anti-popping software creates a dreamy and alluring result. Alongside this, the built-in headphone jack streamlines your experience. In short, if you want something that delivers exceptional audio whilst looking great, this is the microphone for you.
What’s in the box of the Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone?
- The packaging appears distinctly Shure-like. The crisp imagery and key selling points are fantastic to look at. Furthermore, it is recyclable and sturdy.
- The Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone is a compact beast. There is a removable foam filter and a touch-to-mute button. At the rear, you find the USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack. Finally, the microphone can be connected to a boom arm or the included base.
- A small stand is provided to complement the compact design.
- Power the microphone with the USB-C to USB-C cable.
- A warranty card is provided.
Technical aspects.
The Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone has borrowed technology from its market-leading siblings. The MV7 and SM7 microphones are iconic and every major streamer, gamer, and YouTuber has one to work with. Well, this “entry-level” alternative will give its powerful siblings a run for their money. Every element focuses on exceptional audio quality and a user-friendly experience.
The dynamic capsule is a strange choice. Most gaming microphones use condenser tech and this makes the MV6 unique. The dynamic capsule is combined with a tight cardioid pattern and excellent rear rejection. Accordingly, unwanted noises melt away. We’ve all listened to podcasts and recordings where doors are slammed, or the family dog is barking. Thankfully, that is a thing of the past when you use this product.
I found the lack of a volume or gain manual control dial somewhat strange. However, this was a deliberate choice as this microphone utilises auto-levelling functionality. In layman’s terms, it adjusts the pickup from your voice depending on the distance of the user to the mouthpiece. Consequently, the result is a balanced audio file that requires less editing.
Ppppppp, Ssssss, Ttttttt!! The plosive noises drive every viewer to distraction. It’s human nature to emphasise these sounds, but as a viewer, you do not want to hear them. Thankfully, the MV7 Digital Popper Stopper tech eliminates these horrible sounds. The result is a softer and cleaner audio file that won’t make your audience wince.
Audio quality.
Filling a device with market-leading tech doesn’t guarantee professional results. Many products make big promises, just to let everyone down. Luckily, the Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone delivers on every aspect. My go-to microphone is the SteelSeries Alias Pro or the NZXT capsule microphone. However, this Shure option blows the latter choice out of the water whilst running the Alias Pro to the edge of its life. Furthermore, the auto-adjusting features make recording an absolute pleasure.
As soon as you plug it in, this mic gets to work. You can run it without the MOTIV MIX app, but I recommend installing this software (more on this later). I set my device approximately 8 inches from my face and tested the pickup and clarity as I spoke, sang, and shouted at different volumes. Other than terrible singing, the recorded audio never crackled, stuttered, or failed. The microphone recorded every high, mid, and low tone with unbelievable accuracy. Additionally, the auto-balancing corrected the extremities and kept the resulting audio at a reasonable and palatable level.
Usability.
The combination of plug-and-play functionality and the excellent MOTIV MIX app makes this a technophobe’s dream. I’ve never used a mic that has this level of audio quality and a low-maintenance approach. There are no dials or controls to play with. Additionally, the touch to mute button is responsive and a handy LED highlights the recording status.
The MOTIV MIX app allows you to drag and drop your input device, and your monitoring product and control the main mix levels if you wish. This is perfect if you wish to have more control over specific moments in your recording. Alternatively, maybe you wish to play with dynamics whilst creating a deliberate loud or low point. This is achievable with some minor in-app adjustments. Subsequently, the Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone is as simple or as complex as you wish it to be.
Build quality.
Shure is renowned for its build quality. The professional market will not accept poor quality and the regular streaming and gaming community should not as well! Thankfully, this microphone is incredibly well-built. The foam filter can be removed and replaced if required. The metal casing has a brushed metal finish and is robust and hard-wearing. Furthermore, the hinge point is tight but easy to adjust once it’s on a stand or boom arm.
Putting together the device takes less than a minute and the base is sturdy and strong. An anti-slip ring prevents it from moving, and I had no issues with it when it was sitting on my desk. I tried it with my boom arm as well, and I found the hinge point to be responsive and easy to handle. Finally, the positioning of the ports was fantastic. The USB-C and audio ports are sturdy, and I had no issues with cable management.
Is the Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone worth it?
There are plenty of decent microphones available at this price point. However, none compare to the Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone! This incredible device delivers amazing audio recording and a user-friendly approach. Furthermore, the free app is exceptionally easy to use, and the compact design is ideal for smaller workstations or those who wish to use a boom arm. Finally, the next-level tech will blow you away. Accordingly, I recommend buying it here!
(More information on Shure can be found here!)
(Full disclosure! Shure provided a sample for an unbiased and free review!)
