Basically, if you're planning on getting this mic, add another 100 to it, and include a cloudlifter, or fethead. That makes it more expensive. But if your studio setup isn't as well treated, having a dynamic mic instead of a con sensor would be a huge help. It's all about planning out your budget.

I had a similar experience as you so i returned my SM7B and bought a TLM 103 and Apollo Twin Interface. I like the 103 but it's very sibilant and my room is untreated. Bought a SM7B again to see if it would work better with the apollo twin and now i love it. I'm actually liking it more than the TLM 103 in an untreated room. I also don't need the cloudlifter as Apollo Twin has enough clean gain.

@vitaliytsvor8129

5 жыл бұрын

100% agree, same here!

@Therockstarway

2 жыл бұрын

This comment is actually why we came to this video thank you so much you just saved us so much money !

This is the most creative introduction ive seen in a long time.

Good video. I will add that I use the SM7B for loud Vocals in a less than perfectly silent home studio. Where a phantom powered condenser mic will pick up every little sound because it is so sensitive, the SM7B will only pick up what is directly in front of it. Loud vocals are isolated and no background noises are added. A much less expensive alternative though is the Sure sm57 with a windscreen. That's what I use for a live mic because of the foam windscreen over the metal screen of the Sure sm58. The smaller slightly elongated foam cover I think works best and seems to add a little bit of range for picking up sound directly in front of the mic. Great for playing an instrument and singing at the same time.

@LizaLavolta

4 жыл бұрын

do you have this mic? I have it and there is definitely a good bit of background noise

@jonnypretorius2568

4 жыл бұрын

LizaLavolta possibly from ur interface not handling? (If you have the cloud lifter in your chain) seems it could only be interface... what interface you using?

It's no secret the SM7B needs a lot of help given it's low output. I decided to pick up an SM7B and dropped a chunk of money on a good preamp. I can easily get usable levels with that setup with little or no noise. A Cloudlifter alone doesn't provide enough gain for an SM7B. You still need other devices in the chain to boost the signal and do so with proper gain staging as to not fuck up the signal to noise ratio. I'm very happy with the SM7B and now I can see why it's as popular as it is. Thanks for the video!

Dude thanks for this video, good explanation, wouldn't know those details otherwise!

Cloudlifter...Easy fix. Problem solved.

@BurntSquirrel

7 жыл бұрын

I did actually, I made the comment before the end. :)

@howardroark4227

7 жыл бұрын

yes

@BurntSquirrel

6 жыл бұрын

WOW...Dick Much?

@Derbaderbin

6 жыл бұрын

Nah hes just repeating what his parents told him when they kicked him out.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Derb 😂 😂 😂

Thx for this super down to earth review!!

That was clear, easy to follow and so freakin’ HELPFUL. Thank you. 🤙🏼

this was really helpful man thanks, clear and straight to the point.

Probably the best take on the SM7B I've seen ... and I love that mic. All comes down to whether the user is comfortable with the price + Cloudlifter and has a great-sounding room in which to use it. Plenty of other mics deliver great consumer-pleasing sound for half the price ... and again, I love the SM7B. Good video.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Ben Brown Thanks so much for your compliment on the review. And yeah, I've used it with the cloudlifter but still, it didn't just WOW me. Thanks again

Excellent explanation. Good posting. Thanks.

You ROCK!!! Thank you for the review!!! CHEERS!!!!

Thanks for your review, mine is coming in tomorrow, pairing with the Cloudlifter CL1 and a scarlett solo 3rd gen. I'm using it for streaming, hope it performs better than my current yeti setup!

Really love your video you explain your point and why you make it very well and I appreciate you explaining about the noise floor and why most home recording artists don't have the equipment to power this mic. I will say I use several of them in my home studio because they sound SO GREAT but like you mentioned I run a prosunous Studio Live 3 board so I can power them however I didn't have a lot of knowledge of noise floor and it makes a lot of things make sense now that you explained it!

I have an SM7b and I think it is a great mic. I use a Rupert Neve 5012 preamp which supplies plenty of gain, which is what it needs. The advantage of this mic is that it picks up less of the room and is great for home recording.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Paul Allen I agree that it sounds great. And yes that's the advantage of dynamic microphones in general.

The video is really fantastic! The relaxed feel meets confidence is a welcome change on YT. Love from Down Under mate :)

first 30 seconds and already love your content and style keep it up

You can pair this with the SSL 2 or 2+, I have this combo works good if the sound is good. Gain isn't a problem, plus you get a converter better than UAD Apollo (tested) as it has more body and less thin sounding plus you get quite and plenty of gain, setting 9 of 10.

The noise isn't from your microphone bud it's from your pre.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Ghost in the Machine I know this. My other mics work very much fine with the same pre though.

@GhostCollective

6 жыл бұрын

It's all good i was just pointing out that you kept saying the hissing was coming from your mic. You other's mic don't need to be driven as much as the sm7, still doesn't change that it's on your pre, not the mic to get it up to level, and when it comes to the shure it's definitely done intentionally. I enjoyed your review, and I'm glad you posted it! I just don't think you should be pointing people away from a very solid mic just because it requires a good pre. In my eyes that would be like saying someone shouldn't buy a good guitar cabinet, just because you need a good amp to make it shine. Just my opinion, thanks again for the review

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Ghost in the Machine thank you for your kind words and objective criticism.. My whole point of my channel is to simply educate through my experience. What you are saying makes complete sense and I'm not disputing that, but the whole point is that you do need a really good mic pre for your mic to shine.. And that's a problem for how much money it costs in my opinion. Of course it's a great microphone, it sounds great, my most successful song on Soundcloud was recorded with it.. But considering that I can grab a low budget audio interface, grab a Condenser mic for a fraction of the price, and rock out, means for a person looking to save as much money (an upcoming independent artist which is what my channel is dedicated too primarily) as possible, it isn't worth it in my opinion. The

@GhostCollective

6 жыл бұрын

i mostly agree. Although the only thing i would take issue with is even if investing in a sm7b setup costs you a grand.....i really don't think there is another mic that will get you near the level of quality you get with the shure. Plus having god mic pre's is nevvvvvver a bad thing if you actually care about producing solid tracks. But yes, if this was directed ONLY for those that are wanting to stay at the level of just playing around, then yea it probably isn't worth the investment. But then again, almost nothing would be worth investing in if all u wanted to do was buy a scarlett 2i2 and play around with a daw for fun.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Ghost in the Machine Ghost thanks for the dialog. I'm sure it'll be instrumental for someone browsing this video. The only thing I'll add to what you said was that when one is adding simple vocals over a two track instrumental, accompanied with the right engineer, you won't need more than a focusrite and a sub 100 microphone to make sellable music. If you want to win awards and such of course you'll need better.. I definitely appreciate the love and perspective you have brought to the channel. Much respect my dude.

This is massively helpful! I have an SM7B and it is SO quiet! I thought there was something wrong with my audio interface cause I knew the mic was supposed to be awesome.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+kendalljones99 glad you liked the video!!

My previous mic was an MXL 770 which is a pretty decent condenser mic for the price. My core interface is a Behringer UMC204HD. I just picked up a used SM7B and looking for the right set up. Anybody had any experience with the DBX 286s preamp processor? I've watched videos where the DBX really does an amazing job in terms of removing background noise, hissing, etc.; as well as being able to compress and transform the sound into what you're looking for. The Cloudlifter is around the same price and doesn't do the same job. What would you recommend? Rapping, Singing, & Podcasting.

Great, informative review. Many thanks.

Amazing review man

I am using an MXL 770 mic with a ProFXv2 mixer with onboard phantom power for internet broadcast and studio recording. I wan to upgrade the mic. Do I still need the cloudifier?

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Say's Grooves the phantom power will be useless with an SM7B. A cloudlifter will give your microphone a boost. I would say yes you will need it if your buying a 7B.. Thanks for the question bro. All the best

Awesome video; really clear and informative

Love the practicality of what you share. So, do you have a Dynamic you recommend for home office voice overs and video recording? I love the dynamics for this application because of the external noise rejection in a less than perfect recording environment. SM-57?

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

Personally if you can catch a CAD e100s on Massdrop or on sale, I'd go that route. Love that mic. The Shure is still a great mic though. And THANKS mane

Please don't listen to this guy. Just but a Fethead when you buy the mic.

@vuze6075

4 жыл бұрын

Whats a good priced fethead?

@toxichatter8387

3 жыл бұрын

Is the fethead better then the cloud lifter ?

@caseydia3957

3 жыл бұрын

@@toxichatter8387 it's not better, but it's more convenient and cost effective for me

@officialmultimedia8107

3 жыл бұрын

​@@vuze6075 I got the Fethead Regular on amazon for $90 amzn.to/3jvmKqt Works great. I would not bother with the sm7b without it. The signal is very low without it. I like the fethead over the cloud lifter because it is small and no power cable

You are 100% correct. I have this mic but I agree the noise floor is horrible. I even got the cloudlifter and it did give me more gain, but it raised the noise floor too. I took it back to the store. Great review, very accurate.

Thank you for making this honest review onnthe SM7B. I ended up getting an Electro Voice RE20 to use with my Rode Rodecaster Pro II. I appreciate this alot. There are so many mixed reviews and most of the ones i seen were from individuals who got the product sent to them free of charge and thats such a gray area man. 🙇‍♂️🙏

Thanks for this video. I learned about the hiss factor on this mic the hard way. Preamp required

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Doug Sheridan me too Doug.. Me too.

@jessefordmusic9775

6 жыл бұрын

A preamp is required for any microphone. Condenser or Dynamic.

I want the shure 7m7b with a cloudlifter but here in Canada that will cost me $710.75 and the fethead doesn’t sound as good as the cloudlifter so can you or someone please recommend me a better dynamic mic for vocals than the shure since I’m going to be spending this kind of money anyway?

what about powerful pres in the box like the neve 1073 that you can get with ua interfaces, will that drive it ?

How would you feel about the SM7B if you ran it through a better preamp Hayden? Microphone aside, wouldn't a better preamp make all instruments sound better?

You’ve obviously never heard of a 512c preamp! Trust me this mic is golden, but you need an adequate signal chain! Rap, Narrating, Radio, Podcasting for the most part is all I would use for this mic. Dude it’s a Dynamic mic like you said so don’t compare it to a diaphragm mic.

Hey can you tell me what the dude lew later who does unbox therapy what type of microphone and pop cover he using ??

Great review...!! Congrats...!!

Great video man. I agree with you.

I'm using a Shure SM7b in my home studio. Going directly into a Roland Octa Capture. And live onstage directly into a TC Helicon Voicelive 3. I'm not using a cloudlifter etc. Never had a problem, and no hiss! The sound is great.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Paul van Huet - Vanhamuziek I'm glad your getting really good sound out of it bro!

Thank You very much for this Video! Greetings from Switzerland

What would be the best in home studio mic for rap vocals if I don’t have a booth?

Just sold my Shure SM7B today to get the akg c214 was having way to many issues with the sound being too low I bought the cloud lifter but it just brought out a hissing noise in the back of my recordings. If you are gonna get this mic make sure you have a good audio interface because my focusirte 2i2 was not enough apparently

Yo, I appreciate this man. Put it in perspective, big time for me!!!

@GazingSkies

3 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't trust him so much on the review. Using something like a Cloudlifter or Se Dynamite Gain Boost will increase your signal without increasing the noise floor

Great review!!

Which one would you prefer for Shure SM7B, SSL2 or ID4 and why?

Should I choose SM58 over SM7B For home studio recording ?

Very good review bro! 👍🏽

So I just picked this mic up and I have a dbx 286s. Thought should be more than enough power for the mic, correct?

@Onlyonesanta

5 жыл бұрын

Well was it enough?

I love my SM7B! I use it for all my songs.

@dariofromthefuture3075

3 жыл бұрын

Do you need an amplifier? Thanks

but its good for talking to people, right? also can you explain what the phantom thing and cloudlifter thing is?

I totally agree, great advice !

Had my first SM7B mic and absolutely love it, I really don’t have any issue with it, I recorded many songs and still do! I engineer my own music and never really had that “floor noise” in my audio; yea I use alot of gain for it but with plugins stuff you can get that industry sound to your songs, the plug in “Noise Gate” will be your friend for this microphone cutting that noise from your preamp

@robertmedina3982

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you.. noise gate has awesome results when used properly.

@TheEffex

2 жыл бұрын

@@robertmedina3982 let me know if you have any questions I still use the same from 2 years ago, it help make my record go number 2 on radio charts back in May 2021

@robertmedina3982

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheEffex thanks… that is so cool.

Rapper here.....Thing i'm afraid of is getting a Fethead for my SM7B & the noise floor rising (like u stated). I'm doing home recording also with not the greatest treatment in the world. Would u suggest selling the SM7B and getting the Rode NT1 Kit? It's about $270 on Amazon

Im wondering if i should get this mic or not. I have the Rode Nt1, and it doesnt sound too much different from my MXL 990. These mics take lots of bass out of my voice, and dont pick up all of my syllables. I dont even wanna record anymore because of this reason, but i really wanna record. Any recommendations?

@bobbyblueflame

5 жыл бұрын

Practice your pronunciation. A great mix and a great song start first with a great recording.

im scared that my interface does not work anymore someone said his interface stopped working so he bought a new one and this made me think man this is a really important peace of equipment. and i watched a video where people said theese microphones last you for years does this mean microphones can Break Fast ?

I agree with you up to a point. You can basically solve all the mic's noise/level problems by grabbing a Cloudlifter. That's what seemed to fix it for me, anyway. But love your channel though dude. Great video quality, editing, persona, everything. Great job.

I wanted to get the rode but i also like the darker vintage sound you get from the shure.

Nice review and description of everything. You got to admit though broadcast microphones through a cloudlifter sound amazing! But yeah the cost is really high though.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Dad Surviving Divorce I agree

@jasiek5150

6 жыл бұрын

You can get a device the same as the cloudlifter called the SS1 by the simpy sound company. Just purchased it and it does exactly the same as the cloudlifter but its more than half the price!

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Jan Bures awesome. Thanks for the information and glad your contributing too the conversation!

@DSD

6 жыл бұрын

Jan Bures I’ll have to check that out too. If it sounds good and is clean the price is definitely right!

Brilliant and clear explanation. $400 for the mic then another $150 for Cloudlifter. Gets expensive!

Great video, K.C. I subscribed today. I enjoyed your piece.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Jude Rocket Dude that's great. I have another video coming out tomorrow or the next day. I appreciate the love so much.

Thank you, you helped me with this vid

What a fantastic video.

I got a shure sm7b I love it

I think some of you are being unfair. To a great extent, he isn't wrong. If someone shells out $399 for this mic simply because they hear everyone saying it's a great mic, may well encounter the issue he has described. Yes, a Cloudlifter solves the issue, but that's another $149 to get the best performance out of this mic. For many, an investment of nearly $550 is just going to be too steep. And if that is too steep for your home studio budget, I'm guessing you're also not working in a well treated studio, which means that even with a Cloudlifter, you're still not going to get the optimal benefit of this mic. So yes, I would agree, that for many people setting up a home studio, dropping nearly $550 on this microphone and a Cloudlifter, you may not get results that seem that much better than a cheaper microphone. To be clear, I'm not bashing this mic either. I have one, and a Cloudlifter, and I'm very happy with it. But it isn't going to be a magical game changer for everyone, especially those on a tight budget.

@noestoydebroma

3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree I have a new sm7b with the same "issues"

@theoutsiderjess4869

2 жыл бұрын

The sm7b is a forever purchase but you shouldn't buy it without researching, knowing what comes with it, and of course don't buy if you don't have enough money

@ethannaka1822

2 жыл бұрын

@Benji Feliksa hows it work?

Yes. Next question. (Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder tracked with it for a reason).

Hi, just wanted to mention, that I came across an alternative to the Cloudlifter. I A/B them too, and it was only subtle differences that is not audible by my ears. The alternative is Klark Teknik Mic Booster CT 1 or CM-1.

Thank you for this great vid. though I use a Shure SM7b with a Universal Audio interface and I get no hum or hiss, its perfect!

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+michael algar your welcome and glad you're having success with it bro

Get the SS1 by The Simply Sound Company and you are sorted! The SM7B works like a dream with that and its only $50! Best vocal mic in my opinion when paired with that!

did the neumann price go up in 3 yrs time?

I use a cloudlifter, into an Apollo. I get ZERO hiss, well maybe some increased room sound if i jack up the gain considerably. But my signal is quiet AF until you sing/talk.

you’re probably not gonna reply but what preamp are you using, also can u link me to a song u recorded using this microphone thanks

I returned my cloud lifter and presonus interface. Now I’m running my sm7b straight off my Mackie profx6v3 mixer and I’m a happy camper.

I just bought it becuase of the reviews, and was wonering why I couldn't get it to record anything decent. It wouldn't pick up the fine sounds of my voice and you literally had to shout into it, now I know why, money I didn't need to spend! Your video was informative, I am a novice trying to get my voice and music heard and no idea what I am doing :(

@Daniellespah

4 жыл бұрын

Buy a cloudlifter, it'll fix everything

great video man

I appreciate you bro!!

I can agree with you, you need a mixer to get the best out of shure sm7b, you need a good mixer to get rid of the mudd in the microphone so you get a good clean vocal. You have microphones like the tlm 103 or u87 ai that is perfect just plugin right in the interface but with the shure sm7b, there gonna be alot of mudd and bass from the microphone if you not have a mixer with equilizer like soundcraft or something connected to it.

If i have a neve 1073 preamp is sm7b then worth it?

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+max larsen why wouldn't it be

Great video - very informative :)

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Munich Band thank you bro 🙏🏾 🙏🏾

Pleas what's the track name at the end of the video ? it's dope !

Very well wxplained

sooooo... i purchased the shure before i did research (i know not cool) but im stuck with it so is my only option a cloudlifter or is there an alternative way? if not anyone wanna buy a (like new) mic lol

@dscotttherapper6532

3 жыл бұрын

You still selling it like new?

@dequince38

3 жыл бұрын

@@dscotttherapper6532 i sold it already bro

Is the rme babyface pro enough?

you can get a preamp at guitar center with enough power. you can get avalon, manley, etc. you will need to add a zero onto the end of what you are used to spending. but you can get it at gc.

Thank you man!

Nice man.. first person to give me me a bad review. But making good points. I’m looking to beef up my home studio. I do records metal vocals. Thanks..

You have a great sounding voice.

Wouldn't you agree the hiss your reference is more the result of using econo preamps?

I dont get it? your recommending the A Neumann Tlm 102 which would be more expensive than the SureSM7b with the cloud lifter? why is this?

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Quincy Pinola my point was, if you buy a Shure with a cloudlifter, you then enter into a different price segment, 500 bucks or so.. You then could make the argument that a Neumann 102 is the better value for that money with a standard focusrite or something like that. Thats all.

@quincypinola839

6 жыл бұрын

Im sure the Neuman 102 is good. Doing reserch i like the sound of the SureSM7b, but now its seems i have to get the cloudlifter, because I have a Focusrite with phantom power. With out regard to price which one do you like better the Shure or the Newmann and why?? Im resarching the newman next but I have a NT1 rode thats pretty good and the Shure is dynamic so i thought it would be good route to go since I all ready own a condeser mic.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Quincy Pinola the sound is really good on the shure but you have to keep in MIND that it's a dynamic, meaning the closer you are the better. For some, that's really good, but for me, I like some distance from the mic cause I have a voice that can be really deep. And what's wrong with the NT1? that's a good mic if you ask me

@quincypinola839

6 жыл бұрын

Aww the Nt1 is a great mic nothing wrong at all, it was a step up from the sterling I began with, It will still get use for sire, Iwas just looking into getting a new mic, so the shure seemed like a good choice because i would have a diifernt type in my studio. I was leaning toward the NT1ia , but i think the NT1 is good not too much differnt, its just flatter. Next i will get a tube mic from Rode the NTK

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Quincy Pinola the NTK is a fantastic microphone. If anything happened to my Neumann that's what I would use.

You can buy the fethead, or cloudlifter. Or you can use a Y-cable and two off the shelf preamps will do it too. You can double the tracks in your DAW, or just buy a better pre amp. It all just comes down to summing signals, or better amplification of the signal. To be frank, if you have a decent preamp you could get by on a sm58. SM7B is a bit much for what you get. The RE20 was one of the best mics I've ever used for rappers. I use an instrument microphone from electrovoice and that is serving me very well.

@WilliamBurnettPhotography

2 жыл бұрын

SM58, SM57, sm55, and sm7b are all unidyne 3 design cartridges. The biggest difference in these mics are the shock mounts and transformers. The 58, 57, 55sh all have a high roll off earlier than the SM7b and for vocals are essentially interchangeable in a treated room. In an untreated room the SM7B offers better off axis rejection. The sm7b also controls electrical interference better.

aas legitment alntive to the sm7b is a procaster paired with a focuserit solo + cloud lifter sounds fairly similar and its around half the cost

THANKX MAN AND GOD BLESS

Just subbed. Gold stuff rh

I’m just looking for a good mic to buy can someone tell me what mic to get. I got a rode nt2a

@OTSCasper

3 жыл бұрын

AT2020 All the way. It sounds sooo much better, theres not too much difference but to me it sounds alot flattter and with the Shure it sounds like its a bit muffled in the high end and a very curved frequency response vs the flat requencey response the AT2020 has. The Rode NT2A is actually really good too if you had the money and already got a rode then you made the right choice. If you needed a cheeper mic that sounds way better than the shure then the AT2020 is way better just for 99$

@jamalgreen15

3 жыл бұрын

@@OTSCasper oh ok yeah man I got the rode and the Shure sm7b too I think the rode is way better some people thought my mic was bad and I was using the rode but my mixing quality was ass 😂 I gotten better and people thought I recorded all my new songs with the shure but nope just one song and that was blast off not trynna promote myself but I feel like people don’t know anything cause my friend kept saying “you need a good mic like the blue bird” I’m like bro it’s my mix for one and you don’t know anything about the rode then if you think it’s a bad mic. You ever heard don’t by Bryson tiller he recorded that song with the rode nt1a and got drake like quality so how can the rode nt2a be a bad mic? It’s all about mixing. I want the Neumann tlm103 but ima keep working on the rode first to find my sound

@jamalgreen15

3 жыл бұрын

@@OTSCasper do you know any mics for deep male vocals?

@jamalgreen15

3 жыл бұрын

@@OTSCasper oui I got a better idea not trynna promote myself again but could you listen a little bit to my tracks called “Vibe Aries” and “Blast Off” for me please and tell me what I mic would work for that style? I’m still trynna explore with different mics to see what’s better

Great video mate! Got any tips on any good Audio Interfaces that would be recommended with this microphone? I see the Focusrite Scartlett gets mentioned a lot, and the Steinberg UR22 also popps it head into the game.

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Dunphy I'm glad you enjoyed my friend. I would say any interface with a really good external preamp would be good. Probably the best pre amp for the money would be the Golden Age Project Pre 73. That thing pumps like nobodies business for sub 400 bucks. Good luck with your recordings man 🙏🏾

@DunphyMan

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks a bunch man! 👍

@MotifLegend

6 жыл бұрын

+Dunphy your body welcome my dude

@HowardOlsen

6 жыл бұрын

I've got a UR22MKII and a Behringer UMC202HD - The Behringer is every bit as good as the Steinberg for 1/3rd the price. But with both of them, I have enough gain for an AT2005, SM-57 but the SM7B needs more juice. Cloudlifter or Fethead provide it ...

sigh, I totally face the problem you mentioned, I got it caz friend said it's amazing, I was planning to get something that was half the price and much much louder...

Proper, real, practical advice here mate, great video! I'm a few years into the rabbit hole of production and it takes a long time to sift through all the misinformation to find what's good. More people putting out genuine stuff like you the better. Peace

I just got a brand new SM7B for $299 and my UA6176 preamp can support this mic with plenty of gain with no hiss (can do 65 dB into 500 ohms). That said, I think a great alternative to the SM7B is the SM57, which isn't as "power hungry" for gain. The SM57 works with my Focusrite Scarlette USB interface with no problems.

Thank you SO much..

Honestly, the SM7B is worth it for me, because I don't have the best treatment in the world. It tends to reject of a lot of the BS. With a decent preamp, the microphone hiss isn't really an issue.

I got it recently and you 100% need a cloudlifter unless your very very loud. You gain knob will need to be turned up around half way or more depending how loud you are. I'm personally quiet so I go around half or more.