sm7b with vs pre-amps?

hello,
since this question involves the pre-amps common to both interfaces, i didn't think it would be inappropriate to post the question here as well (at least i hope it's not anyway...).


i'm considering the purchase of an sm7b and thought i'd ask if anybody has been using one with the vstudio 100, octa-capture or vstudio 700 (since the pre's are said to be very similar, if not the same).

from what i've read, the sm7b sounds great, but requires a pre-amp capable of hi gain. just wondering how the vs pre's do with it?

thanks for your comments.

thanks norrie.
i've got a friend who has an outrageous mic collection and he really loves the sm7b. he's told me more than once that it's the mic for me. maybe he will lend it to me for a few days (weeks ) so i can test it out with the vstudio 100 pre's.

enjoy your new mic.
thanks again.

thanks sacalait,
that's good to know...

I have an SM7b and VS 700R myself... not very impressed. Unfortunately, this mic has taken a back seat in my studio for now as the VS 700R does not liven it up. Lots of noise introduced if you have to crank it.

I also have an ART Tube MP PRO which I occasionaly run the SM7B into, crank it about 2/3 of the way, and then run it into my 700 and put some gain on it. Works fairly well.

If you have a loud vocalist, or not recording quiet sources, get the SM7b.  If you have extra cash to burn on a high-end pre (API, Grace, Great River, etc) even better. Keep in mind that the SM7b needs around 60db of CLEAN gain for most vocals. The VS 700 pres do a MAX of 62 (I believe).

Overall I love my SM7, it really has a punchy yet smooth sound to it. It just shines better with a great pre that can drive lots of clean gain.

poppa_John is right about the gain.  I've been using a Focusrite FSA ONE as the mic pre for the SM7 and it's pretty sweet.  I also have an A-Designs Pacifica... so I have access to two VERY good mic pre's.  If you have a 'timid' vocalist, go elsewhere in your mic locker.  But the SM7 gets a substantial amount of use in my studio- and my studio is my day gig.

M@ B

Here is a solution (Cloudlifter) that is really quite good with the SMb, RE20 or ribbon mics.  If you have a high-quality high-gain pre (I have a Great River I use for these situations - Love it), then you may not need the Cloudlifter, but one of these is handy to have around the studio and would solve your problem with the SMb (or even ribbon mics) for much less money than a high-end pre.  Just something for you to look into.

swizzle


Oops...forgot to add the link :)

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CL1Cloud/ 

hi swizzle,
interesting, a  little "direct/gain box" for mics and stuff.
thanks for the suggestion. not sure i have enough reasons to need one.
i don't think it could replace a good pre-amp.
it's good to know such a thing exists.
thanks again.


edit:
just to be clear, i am not looking to purchase a "high end pre-amp" because i don't have high end money. i'm interested in a good "high gain pre-amp." the recently popular g.a.p. pre '73 seems to fit the bill with 80db of smooth gain for $299. i think it and the sm7 would yield excellent vocals for a project studio.

thanks.

M@ B

swizzle


Oops...forgot to add the link :)

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CL1Cloud/ 

hi swizzle,
interesting, a  little "direct/gain box" for mics and stuff.
thanks for the suggestion. not sure i have enough reasons to need one.
i don't think it could replace a good pre-amp.
it's good to know such a thing exists.
thanks again.


edit:
just to be clear, i am not looking to purchase a "high end pre-amp" because i don't have high end money. i'm interested in a good "high gain pre-amp." the recently popular g.a.p. pre '73 seems to fit the bill with 80db of smooth gain for $299. i think it and the sm7 would yield excellent vocals for a project studio.

thanks.

M@ B
 
I agree with you on having a really good mic preamp to work with, and from everything I've been hearing and reading about the GAP Pre-73, it is enormous bang for the buck; I don't believe you'll go wrong with this choice.  I wouldn't mind having one or two of them in the studio myself, but I've already got enough preamps now.  As you already know, the Pre-73 is a transformer input/output design based on the Neve 1073 that adds that so-called "British" vibe to your source, very much like the Great River MP-2NV that I have in the studio, only the Pre-73 is reasonably priced .  In other words, it adds color to your source; the higher the input gain needed, the more color added.  That's not necessarily bad; I like it and what it does especially for vocals and acoustic guitar...wow.  Even inexpensive mics will sound good through this type of preamp...I love mine and use it all the time. 
 
That being said, there may be times when I don't want to alter the sound of the mic (i.e., I want to capture the sound of the mic un-colored).  High output mics are great for this, but low output mics such as the SM7b and ribbon mics can present some challenges for sure.  That's were the Cloudlifter comes in handy for me.  It allows me to use less input gain at the preamp, thus eliminating or minimizing preamp coloration.  The SM7b is such a great sounding mic (especially on powerful vocalists), that I sometimes don't want any coloration added, even minimal.  But, different strokes for different folks; there are many ways to skin the cat, as they say.  Is the Cloudlifter a must have?...NOT.  But if it is in your budget at a later date, it is something you may want to consider adding to your arsenal; just an option I wanted you to know about.  Will the SM7b sound great with the Pre-73?...I have no doubts that it will.  It appears also that Laney was able to get great results using the VS700R's clean preamps...that's good to hear.
 
Okay, enough rambling; I'll just say that I've been in the music and recording field since...err, let's just say a long time, and in my opinion it really doesn't make a tinker's d@%m what kind of equipment that you have (i.e., it does not have to be high-end); it's what you do with it that matters in the end.  I've seen some stellar recordings done with equipment that you wouldn't believe was used (after all, it is more about the music and musicians, than it is the equipment).  A cheap violin in the hands of a master will sound infinitely better than an expensive violin in the hands of an amateur.  Best of luck with your decision and keep on making music; the world needs it more than ever.
 
Later...

hi swizzle, i looked at the cloudlifter some more as well as the fethead. thanks for the suggestion.

hello,
i realize this thread has veered a bit out of the preferred confines of this forum, so swizzle, i decided to pm the reply to your "I'd be interested to know what you decide and how your decision works out for you" statement. if need be, we can resume this convo in the hardware forum.

thanks to all,
matt