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Too hot input from SM7b


Trashytommy

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Ok, só yesterday I was having issues running the SM7b through my Apogee Duet 1 and getting a very low signal. After messing around a lot today with various settings I had a happy accident - don’t know what I did but now I have a great signal - too great.

I’ve read everywhere that you have to push this mic hard to get a decent signal and while I am using a cloud lifter it was strange that the signal was barely usable yesterday.

Tonight I’m having the opposite problem - I have to have my input in logic set to almost zero in order not to clip. Of course I’ve tried singing various distances from the mic and I’ve read elsewhere people suggesting you need to get real close (about an inch away). To get a good signal I’m having to sing about a foot away from the mic, so I guess I’m doing something wrong.

Pretty new to recording with a mic here - any suggestions?

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Get rid of the cloud lifter, you don't need one with that mic. Then, to adjust your recording level, make sure you select the correct analog input type and adjust the mic preamp input gain on the Duet: https://knowledgebase.apogeedigital.com/duet-firewire/gain-staging-how-to-set-proper-levels-with-your-apogee-product-and-recording-software/
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Thanks David - I always have utmost faith in you. However, are you sure you didn’t misinterpret my mic as an SM57? Practically everywhere people recommend a cloud lifter with the SM7b - it’s known for needing one and that’s why I was shocked that my signal is so hot. I had thought of getting rid of the CL but thought that didn’t sound right given all the claims of this mic in particular needing one - I thought it must have been more like I did something stupid in settings.

Maybe I’m being prejudiced after forking out money on the CL but I’m still on the fence with this.

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Is it possible that your input leves are simply too hot today and were too low yesterday? The duet preamps have plenty of gain for an SM7b with or without a cloudlifter. Sorry if this is obvious but since you said you’re new to recording I have to ask. Do you know how to set your recording levels on the Duet? The big knobs if your control for input and output levels.
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Thanks David - I always have utmost faith in you. However, are you sure you didn’t misinterpret my mic as an SM57?

Yes, sure.

 

But just give it a try. Remove the cloud lifter and set it aside. Plug the SM7b directly into the mic preamp on the Duet and adjust the recording level with the analog mic preamp input gain on the Duet according to the link I shared earlier.

 

You should have enough gain.

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