{"id":50973,"date":"2023-10-03T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/?p=50973"},"modified":"2023-10-02T13:49:29","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T12:49:29","slug":"shure-mvx2u-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/equipment\/shure-mvx2u-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Shure MVX2U Review: Auto-Gain Any XLR Mic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the not-so-distant past, you needed a lot of expensive physical gear and a bunch of cables to add processing to your voice. Then, along came digitization. This meant you could now mix your traditional analogue gear with software,<\/a> which could simplify the process with plugins.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drawback was that plugins could only be applied post-recording signal.\u00a0Where am I going with this? Well, this article will be looking at DSP tech via the Shure MVX2U<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg>\"authors<\/div>

Editor\u2019s Note<\/p><\/div>

Thanks for reading our review of the Shure MVX2U. Just a quick heads up that we received this unit free of charge, and that we also use affiliate links on the site to products and services we think you’ll find interesting. We’d earn a small commission should you choose to buy through them (at no extra cost to yourself), and this helps support all the free content we put out. This will also never cloud our judgement when it comes to writing reviews – we’ll always give you our honest opinions, no matter what! <\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is DSP and Why Should I Care?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before I get into the performance testing of the MVX2U, let me explain what DSP in audio is and why it\u2019s an awesome development for audio hardware.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DSP stands for Digital Signal Processors. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a typical recording setting, your voice is converted from an analogue source (XLR microphone) into a digital source (interface does this conversion).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, DSP technology can manipulate this signal BEFORE it hits your computer and recording software<\/a>.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is this a biggish deal? In our digital audio age, what you record into the DAW is what the signal is. If it clips, even if you put a limiter plugin on the damage, clipping will still be there.  All plugin processing is completed post-recording.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But DSP allows us to mimic outboard analogue gear-like signal flow that we can use to shape the signal a bit via compression or EQ, for example, before it hits the DAW\/computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how does this tie into the Shure MVX2U?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Shure MVX2U?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On paper, the Shure MVX2U is an audio interface<\/a> with DSP technology on an automatic setting. That means any XLR mic can be auto-gained for you. You are no longer restrained to the handful of USB mics<\/a> that can do this. You could very well use a U87<\/a> that is auto-gained to get that classic tone without worrying if your recording levels<\/a> are set correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MVX2U is not your traditional interface, either.\u00a0It fits in the palm of your hand! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compatibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Apple users, it\u2019s business as usual to set up in your sound settings, but for Windows \u2013 there\u2019s no ASIO driver from Shure. So, outside of Audacity<\/a>, other DAWS that cannot use Windows Audio directly need to grab ASIO4ALL or something similar. It\u2019s not recommended by Shure to use with mobile devices as it\u2019s designed specifically to work with their Shure Motiv Desktop software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out of the Box<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s what you get… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • The MVX2U itself<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Quick Start Guide<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • USB C to C cable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \"Shure<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    If your computer doesn\u2019t have a USB C port, you will need a USB C to A adapter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Connections on the Shure MVX2U<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The device is fairly simple in that it has:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • female XLR connectivity<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • one 3.5mm headphone jack for monitoring<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • one USB C port to connect to the computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • one 48V indicator (phantom power<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      ShurePlus Motiv Desktop App<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      All of the DSP features are enabled or disabled in this desktop app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"ShurePlus<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      There are so many settings in both the auto and manual tabs that don\u2019t fit in a screenshot! Fear not, though – the UI is super clean, and it\u2019s very easy to figure out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I found that the Near setting worked best for a dynamic mic<\/a>, whereas Far worked best for a condenser mic<\/a>.  Inside the automatic tab, the Tone refers to a vague EQ profile via Dark, Neutral, and Bright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The gain settings under the automatic tab are labelled Quieter, Normal, and Louder. This is how much input gain is applied based on \u201chow loud\u201d you want the recording to be.  I found Normal to be the best approach, but depending on how loud your voice is, you may need to experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Now, if you like control but still want to use an XLR mic as a USB mic with the DSP processing, the manual tab is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"ShurePlus<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Input gain, EQ, high pass filter, limiter (on\/off only) and compression are controllable.  However, the nitty-gritty compression settings are not controllable and are only altered via Off, Light, Medium, and Heavy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      So that all looks great on paper, right? Now, let\u2019s see (hear!) how the Shure MVX2U performs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Shure MVX2U Tests<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The following tests are all performed using the automatic tab on both a dynamic and condenser mic. I used the standalone iZotope RX Editor<\/a> to record, as it could easily use Windows Audio and see the MVX2U using MME for the driver type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      SM58 via the Shure MVX2U<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Testing a dynamic mic, then, in the form of the Shure SM58<\/a>, I start off with the loud gain, and there is an impressive amount of it. So much, in fact, that I am clipping a dynamic mic, which is pretty unheard of!<\/p>\n\n\n