Shure has long been one of the most recognisable names in audio, with products like the SM7B becoming fixtures in studios, broadcast booths and creator setups across the world. However, the landscape has changed. Today’s streamers, gamers, and content creators want professional sound without the complexity of traditional audio chains, and they expect reliability whether they are broadcasting from a bedroom or competing on a tournament stage. In this interview, Mario Ponce — gamer, musician and Shure Solutions Engineer — explains how the company is adapting to modern workflows, why audio quality matters more than ever, and how Shure’s heritage in live production continues to shape the tools creators rely on.
Adam Riley, Director at Cubed3:Shure is known for iconic microphones like the SM7B, but today’s creators want simplicity and plug-and-play performance. How is Shure adapting?
Mario Ponce, Gamer, Musician and Shure Solutions Engineer: The SM7B remains the gold standard for many creators, streamers, and broadcasters, but today’s audience often needs something that’s easier to use right out of the box. That’s where products like the MV7+ and MV6 come in. These microphones are inspired by the SM7B‘s heritage and built for modern workflows. USB-C connectivity makes it easy to connect to laptops, phones, and gaming setups, while onboard DSP and software features help creators sound professional without needing to be an audio expert. Our goal is to give new creators access to the same audio quality Shure is known for while removing barriers to getting started.
Adam Riley: Why should gamers and streamers care about audio quality when so much attention goes to video?
Mario Ponce: That’s one of the biggest misconceptions we see. People will spend hundreds of dollars on a camera and then treat audio as an afterthought. The reality is that audio is half of the experience. Viewers might tolerate imperfect video, but poor audio immediately impacts how professional and engaging content feels. If you’re building a stream, creating videos, or communicating with teammates, investing in quality audio can dramatically improve the way your audience experiences your content. That’s why we’re focused on making professional-grade sound accessible to creators at every level.
Adam Riley: Esports venues and major live events often rely on Shure wireless systems. What sets Shure apart?
Mario Ponce: Reliability. Whether it’s a sold-out esports arena, a tournament broadcast, or a live production, failure simply isn’t an option. Shure has spent decades building expertise in wireless technology, and we’re constantly investing in innovations that help users perform in increasingly crowded RF environments. Technologies like wideband tuning and WMAS are designed to maximise spectrum efficiency and minimise connectivity issues. For event organisers, broadcasters, and esports productions, that means greater confidence that everything will work exactly as expected when it matters most.
Adam Riley: How does Shure maintain its reputation for reliability and durability?
Mario Ponce: Trust is earned over time, and durability has been part of Shure’s identity since the beginning. Every product undergoes extensive testing through dedicated engineering and quality teams. We evaluate everything from mechanical durability to electronic performance at an incredibly detailed level. Our products are built to perform consistently, whether they’re being used in a home streaming setup, a production studio, or on a world tour. When someone chooses Shure, they’re investing in equipment designed to deliver dependable performance for years.
Adam Riley: Shure serves musicians, broadcasters, streamers, and enterprise customers. How do you build products that meet such different needs?
Mario Ponce: What’s interesting is that many of those audiences face similar challenges. For example, a streamer broadcasting from a bedroom and a professional participating in a conference call both need clear voice capture in acoustically imperfect environments. Technologies like real-time denoising are valuable in both scenarios. Since we work across so many industries, we’re able to take innovations developed for one market and apply them to another. That helps us continually improve the experience for creators, gamers, performers, and professionals alike.
Adam Riley: What is Shure doing to support the gaming and streaming community beyond product development?
Mario Ponce: We believe the best way to understand a community is to actually be part of it. That’s why we’re active at events like TwitchCon, DreamHack, collegiate esports programmes, and other gaming-focused gatherings. We spend time listening to creators, streamers, and players so we can better understand how they’re using our products and what challenges they face. We also have many gamers within Shure. We have team members who stream, compete, and create content, which helps ensure we’re designing products with a genuine understanding of the audience we’re serving.
Adam Riley: Looking ahead, what areas of audio technology excite you most?
Mario Ponce: I’m excited about what comes next beyond traditional stereo audio. The way people create, communicate, and experience content continues to evolve. Audio technology is becoming more immersive, more intelligent, and more integrated into the overall experience. There’s a tremendous opportunity to rethink what a microphone can do and how creators interact with audio in the future. That’s an area we’re looking at very closely.
Adam Riley: We’ve seen gaming brands partner with hardware manufacturers for special editions and collaborations. Is that something Shure is interested in?
Mario Ponce: Absolutely. We’ve already explored creative collaborations, including partnerships like our MV7+ Supreme release and certifications with platforms such as OBS. These relationships help us connect with creators and communities in authentic ways. Gaming, streaming, and content creation continue to be important growth areas for Shure, and we’re always interested in opportunities that help us better serve those audiences.
Cubed3 Summary
Shure’s legacy has always been built on reliability, engineering discipline and an understanding of how people actually use audio technology. What emerges from this conversation is a company that is not only aware of the needs of modern creators, but actively embedded within their communities. From USB‑C microphones inspired by broadcast icons to wireless systems trusted in esports arenas, Shure is shaping products that balance heritage with accessibility. As audio becomes more immersive, intelligent and integrated into the way people create and communicate, Shure’s focus remains clear: deliver dependable sound, remove barriers for new creators, and continue evolving with the audiences it serves.
