How to use MV7i and MOTIV Mix for Musicians

The most precious thing a musician has is their creative spark. Those moments when you come up with something original and exciting is what makes all the practice worthwhile. But those moments don’t come along too often, so when they do you have to make sure you capture them quickly. So, you want the time between the idea and the recording to be as short as possible. And that’s why Shure’s MV7i is an ideal mic for home recording musicians. With the [MV7i Smart Microphone & Interface](https://www.shure.com/products/microphones/mv7i) you can start recording two channels of audio with almost zero setup. It’s both a USB microphone and an audio interface, making it the perfect option for efficient musicians who want to work as quickly and creatively as possible. Not only that, but the MV7i is versatile, and works for both vocals and acoustic instruments. Plus, you can plug in electronic instruments like electric guitars and synths, thanks to its dual XLR & ¼” input. Let’s discuss a few ways you can set the MV7i up, starting with a typical singer songwriter approach: one vocal mic, and one acoustic guitar mic.

Thanks to its [SM7B](https://www.shure.com/products/microphones/sm7b)-inspired design, the MV7i is a superior vocal mic, and is great for capturing anything from close up intimate crooning to full blown screaming vocals. As for the acoustic guitar mic, you can plug anything into the MV7i so long as it has an XLR or jack output. You can try a condenser like Shure’s new [SM4](https://www.shure.com/products/microphones/sm4), or even a vocal mic like the [SM58](https://www.shure.com/products/microphones/sm58).

Now, connect your headphones to the back of the MV7i (we’d recommend a pair of Shure’s studio-quality [SRH440A](https://www.shure.com/products/headphones/srh440)). This will allow you to monitor your performance, and adjust your mic levels accordingly. Finally, plug your second mic directly into the MV7i, and then plug that into your laptop/computer/tablet using the USB-C connector. Set your MV7i Input to the Instrument preset in the [MOTIV Mix Desktop App](https://www.shure.com/products/software/motiv-mix) and you are good to go - then you can get recording in your favorite DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Now, if you want to switch out the acoustic guitar for an electric, that’s easy. You can either use a second mic to record the amp, or plug the guitar straight into the MV7i using a jack lead. The same principle applies for any other electric instrument that you’re plugging in directly, like synths or drum machines. All you have to do is set the gain, and you’re ready to record in the DAW of your choice.

***Note:*** if you want to have separate audio tracks in your DAW, simply select **‘Multi-Track’ mode** in the MOTIV Mix Desktop App.

About the author — Andrew Anderson

Andrew Anderson is a freelance writer for Shure. When he isn't touring with one of his several bands, you will find him hunched over his desk at home writing articles for the likes of Vice, The Guardian, Loud & Quiet and more.

Products in this story: - [MV7i — Smart Microphone & Interface](https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/microphones/m/mv7i) - [MOTIV Mix™](https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/software/m/motiv-mix)