Shure SM7B & Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen

[Joni_78]

I bough these for my son because he needed a better microphone. This was maybe overkill for his needs but was easy pick so I didn't have to spent my time reading reviews.

Are these all that are needed on PC? He has been using these for couple of months and says that it's "quieter" than his old integrated microphone in headphones. I just checked and he has set the gain to max in 2i2. I haven't yet checked if it's clipping. He said that it would need a third "something" between the 2i2 and PC or Microphone and 2i2.

I don't know much about these so basically

A. These are enough for PC and I should check how he has set the settings

B. 2i2 Is no good

C. Needs that third equipment between X and Y

D. Something else

[Joni_78]

I just checked and when speaking (3 fingers away) Premiere Pro is between -21 and -24 dB.

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

Mind to tell us WHAT product you bought?

[Joni_78]

On 20/10/2023 at 22:29, Mindovermaster said:

Mind to tell us WHAT product you bought?

I thought it’s in the title? I’ll edit the post.

 

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

On 20/10/2023 at 14:43, Joni_78 said:

I thought it’s in the title? I’ll edit the post.

Either I missed that or you didn't include that. Should help other members. I am not all sure what the problem is, just helping.  

[Joni_78]

I don’t know if it’s the red wine but there’s no option to edit the post anymore. But yeah the product is in the title.

[Joni_78]

On 20/10/2023 at 22:45, Mindovermaster said:

Either I missed that or you didn't include that. Should help other members. I am not all sure what the problem is, just helping.  

Yeah it was on the title, sorry for not including it in the post.

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

On 20/10/2023 at 14:47, Joni_78 said:

Yeah it was on the title, sorry for not including it in the post.

Now back on topic..  

[Joni_78]

But yeah he has been using the 3 finger rule and I listened some of the Premiere Pro recordings and the volume on the microphone was really low.

[Sikh]

I can already tell you what the problem is, you are trying to drive a GAIN HUNGRY mic with the Scarlett. A lot of people do this and I dont know why because Shure makes it very clear that the mic is very hungry.

The ideal gain from the preamp for the Shure SM7B is around 54db. It also depends on how far the mic is from your son's face (should be 6-8" optimal since its a dynamic) and how quiet or loud your son talks.

Since you already have the hardware, the best way to make it work with what you have is to buy a Cloudlifter. Yes the Cloudlifter is expensive but its doing a lot of the heavy lifting that the Scarlett can't do. If you can return the Scarlett, I recommend finding a preamp / mixer that has a preamp that can give you a clean 70amps. 

I know Rode now makes a mixer that is a solid alternative to the GoXLR and its called the RODECaster. I would look into similar devices. They will give you son a lot more control and he should have that control given how powerful the SM7B is.

Hope this is helpful for you! 

[Joni_78]

On 20/10/2023 at 23:20, Sikh said:

I can already tell you what the problem is, you are trying to drive a GAIN HUNGRY mic with the Scarlett. A lot of people do this and I dont know why because Shure makes it very clear that the mic is very hungry.

The ideal gain from the preamp for the Shure SM7B is around 54db. It also depends on how far the mic is from your son's face (should be 6-8" optimal since its a dynamic) and how quiet or loud your son talks.

Since you already have the hardware, the best way to make it work with what you have is to buy a Cloudlifter. Yes the Cloudlifter is expensive but its doing a lot of the heavy lifting that the Scarlett can't do. If you can return the Scarlett, I recommend finding a preamp / mixer that has a preamp that can give you a clean 70amps. 

I know Rode now makes a mixer that is a solid alternative to the GoXLR and its called the RODECaster. I would look into similar devices. They will give you son a lot more control and he should have that control given how powerful the SM7B is.

Hope this is helpful for you! 

Thank you! Cloudfilter was what my son said he needs, but i’m always sceptical of what he says he needs.  

[Joni_78]

On 20/10/2023 at 23:20, Sikh said:

I can already tell you what the problem is, you are trying to drive a GAIN HUNGRY mic with the Scarlett. A lot of people do this and I dont know why because Shure makes it very clear that the mic is very hungry.

The ideal gain from the preamp for the Shure SM7B is around 54db. It also depends on how far the mic is from your son's face (should be 6-8" optimal since its a dynamic) and how quiet or loud your son talks.

Since you already have the hardware, the best way to make it work with what you have is to buy a Cloudlifter. Yes the Cloudlifter is expensive but its doing a lot of the heavy lifting that the Scarlett can't do. If you can return the Scarlett, I recommend finding a preamp / mixer that has a preamp that can give you a clean 70amps. 

I know Rode now makes a mixer that is a solid alternative to the GoXLR and its called the RODECaster. I would look into similar devices. They will give you son a lot more control and he should have that control given how powerful the SM7B is.

Hope this is helpful for you! 

2i2 is beyond return. If Cloudfilter and RØDECaster Pro would cost the same, what would you do?

[Sikh]

On 20/10/2023 at 16:11, Joni_78 said:

2i2 is beyond return. If Cloudfilter and RØDECaster Pro would cost the same, what would you do?

Rodecaster hands down. It'll give your son way more control over his mic without having to use software solutions like Voicemeeter which can also introduce latency. 

I would go hardware over software every time when it comes to audio. I recommend using good cables to connect everything and you should be all set

[scumdogmillionaire]

Cloudlifter or sE Electronics DM1 Dynamite which is a bit cheaper.