the sm7 in my experience is a hit or miss mic .. its not something that i would get if i only had one mic... it can sound really boxy and dull... espcially when ur recording someone with a deep voice... it sounds great on some voices, crappy on others .. i think its a great mic, but a llittle overated imo... esp for hip hop... i think the guys that praise it so much are more into rock and other genres. it gives u that close, thick,and warm sound but it lacks any type of sheen or presence.. and its not the clearest mic in the world either. It works for that grimey style for sure but if u want those polished, modern sounding vocals imo u need to look elsewhere.