How to Make Your Shure SM7b Sound Better

[@nemuriyagi]

this helped a ton with the noise floor hiss I was having on my sm7b! I just adjusted around my compressor settings to be more in-line with what you did and it pulled out so much more rich sound with much less squashing. Was definitely over compressing a bit too far before due to just not knowing what I was doing. Thank you!!

[@danielfknb]

"jamie pull up that slide about dmt" killed me

[@BenFrankMadeThis808]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. JRE went on a whole dmt spree last couple years .

[@goobstersroom]

Foreal 😂

[@nathangabriel8888]

LOOOOOOL!!

[@CarefulOptimist]

😂😂😂

[@r3cca00]

That processing on the KZbin segment really made me want to subscribe to your patreon😂. Thanks for the video!

[@ThomasBoykin]

Don’t do it. Because I don’t have one.

[@r3cca00]

@@ThomasBoykin I'll just stick to ringing that bell then so you can send me notifications 😂

[@jessesingersongwriter]

Had always used Cloudlifter with my SM7b, switched to Soyuz Launcher, improved my sound immediately. Great video, wonderful command of audio principles and admirably clear presentation. Thank you!

[@MesaMXR]

Easily the best SM7B video I've seen on KZbin. This is helping me resist the urge to blow a bunch of money on a higher end mic. Also I LOVED the MadTV reference.

[@illy2066]

That Mad reference cracked me up for some reason lol And I'm with you on not wasting money on some expensive mic.

[@powderedwater4742]

buying the sm7b was me blowing a bunch of money on a higher end microphone lmao

[@nickg63]

Dude I am in AWE that you dropped that Mad TV reference

[@watch76]

Excellent example of how knowledge of where you are going is needed to know how to get there… great vid!

[@MrNobodyJustASoul]

man, this is the best guide for a new sm7b user on youtube, trust me ive seen most of them

[@RichardSpeights]

Yes, you don't necessarily need an inline boost. However, I don't like cranking my gain up nearly to max just to reach the proper recording peaks. I'm giving Cloud Lifter a try. UPDATE: I love my Cloud Lifter. It works perfectly, does exactly what I wanted and expected.

[@ronselah8484]

Hey I have a Yamaha mixer mgp 24x do u still need a cloudlifter with this mic thanx

[@serenitybase9888]

nooooo - forget cloudlifters! read up!

[@RichardSpeights]

@@serenitybase9888 I read, I bought, and I used. It works great - exactly what I needed.

[@LilJoe3]

@@RichardSpeights fet head is like 50$ compared

[@RichardSpeights]

@@LilJoe3 Since I am producing audiobooks, I am willing to spend the money for the better product. Remember, this device handles the signal producing the sound, and the less money you spend, the cheaper the recording sound (generally).

[@nesretto]

This video was very enjoyable, thank you :)

[@BjutifulMinds]

What an amazing entertaning and comprehensive vocal processing tutorial . You got a new subscriber.

[@mkilborng1]

Great stuff as always. A video on making ADR sound more natural might be useful. I don’t think I’ve seen a good one on that. Keep at it sir!

[@ThomasBoykin]

I need to get a film with more ADR that I can use for that. Good idea!

[@shakeb1562]

@@ThomasBoykin sir with respect please help , do one for Samson Q2U

[@RichardSpeights]

Thanks for the video. I wasn't certain if I should adjust the SM7B switches until I heard your voice quality with the presence boost switch on.

[@Witive]

El mejor que he visto hasta ahora... Gracias!

[@ThomasBoykin]

De nada, el gusto es mio

[@brandbusters183]

incredibly helpful exactly what i needed thank you man, I am not gonna push I know you are too close to the Mic.

[@Juice-chan]

First. It's a really good video. I am gonna get down on my EQ stuff later. Question: Is there a forum or any place where I can get feedback on my EQing? I am afraid my ears are not trained enough to understand what is good sound and not. So if there is a place where more experienced people could help me with my audio that would be amazing.

[@ThomasBoykin]

A forum would be a tricky place for that. You could have all sorts of people telling you different things. Try to find a local established engineer for that

[@luciomath]

Love your channel, invaluable stuff in the dialogue editing videos. One comment for this video though, what about deessing?! People gonna have S laser beams with all those highs.

[@ThomasBoykin]

All depends on the voice. I’ve found most sibilance is in 3-6k range. So you could easily cut there while boosting above. But each voice is different!

[@weganstwo_podcast]

Great, thank's mate, these tips may really improve the quality of my podcast ;)

[@gg.6967]

Very entertaining,the rap break too!

[@roro_fosho]

great video, and illustrative examples - just discovered this channel. Would be cool to see something like this but on the EV RE20, just to compare dynamic mics in different vocal performance situations.

[@ThomasBoykin]

I don’t have one, but maybe I’ll buy one

[@epicsnake21]

Thanks for making this video!

[@ThomasBoykin]

Glad to help

[@RandumbTech]

Man this was awesome! I have an RE20 but plan to implement some of these EQ tips. Thx!

[@SeanofAllTrades]

If you can't afford the Fab Filter EQ the Melda Audio EQ is free and also has a visualizer.

[@Moltown]

Your videos always rule man!

[@DragunnitumGaming]

I think Jimmy should pull up that slide on dmt, but maybe that's just me 🤷‍♂

[@janickagrayston1168]

Awesome tutorial! Great info and made me laugh a few times:). thanks!

[@numero-_-uno]

the best video on mixing vocals in general thats the best philosophy , i had an issue cause i was mixing my vocals on the chorus then i would listen to the whole song and it would suck cause the verse would be kinda rap and intro outro spoken words(style podcast) so i had problem with the lows and highs wow now i would put my vocals in 3 different channels spoken/rap/sing and eq//comp differently then send em to all vocals channel WOW thanks dude you are awesome !!!!!

[@wyattkane]

Some say that Jamie still hasn’t pulled up that slide.

[@thebees2957]

Love the Mad TV reference lol

[@ThomasBoykin]

YOU WIN

[@russellni9930]

Love your style!

[@Lianz23]

Thank you for your videos! About this one, I noticed hiss in all the recordings, which happens to me with my Focusrite 2i2, but in your spoken word throughout the video there was no hiss or background noise. Is this because of some noise reduction plug-in or just the preamp levels?

[@ThomasBoykin]

No noise reduction in this. It is a combination of preamp levels and projecting. Louder source= less gain needed.

[@sandrinedreeny6189]

Great video! I am hesitating between Shure MV7+ AND SM7dB + interface shure MVX2U (to make it USB). Which one would you recommend? I have no gears and want to do video podcasting/ youtube interviews with remote guest. I want to keep it simple but with good sound. Thank you!

[@InaktiverUser]

do you like the sm7b more than your rode nt1 ?

[@ThomasBoykin]

In a few situations, but the NT1 stays on my boom arm 90% of the time

[@theorulez]

Great video.

[@logan0501]

"Jamie pull up that slide about DMT" lmaooo

[@MFKitten]

I don't like the "boost to find the resonance" trick because the resonance caused by the EQ will make it harder to tell if that's what you've got. I prefer just pulling it down and moving it around to see where it fixes the icky thing I'm hearing.

[@ThomasBoykin]

That works too!

[@94magic]

video started out with a buzzing/hissing sound in the background. the same sound i'm trying to get rid of.

[@ThomasBoykin]

Get closer to your mic or use noise reduction

[@justlivinginthematrix6260]

Any idea why I would be experiencing phasing and distortion with my shure and Apollo twin when I’m tracking in the console app?

[@ThomasBoykin]

Are you monitoring both the direct input as well as the recorded track? Usually it’s one or the other.

[@princy._]

I'll mainly use the mic to record vocals, is the Elgato Wave XLR a good interface to use with it? Unlike the Focusrite Scarlett, it provides enough gain without having to max it out, removing the need for a cloud lifter.

[@ThomasBoykin]

That looks like a great option. Would make a killer on-the-go setup

[@Kamarkarze]

Don't push me 'cause I'm close to the mic I'm tryin' not to lose my head(room) 😂😂😂😂

[@ThomasBoykin]

Missed an opportunity there!

[@Dannydowns1234]

I just cannot get a crispness that I'm after with my setup. Is it my preamp that's holding my sound back? I've got the least expensive focusrite scarlett. I'm running a cloud lifter with my sm7b too. I'm having to compress the hell out of my signal to get the volume necessary for Spotify.

[@ThomasBoykin]

Probably the source voice. Some people just don’t have that sound

[@Bradleybrookwood]

I love this microphone. I keep the presence boosting feature engaged and the other switch at the default position and it works wonders for me. I also work with logic pro as well, well there are things I'm trying to learn. I needed to get a cloud lifter for my audio interface because I have a scarlet and those audio interfaces tend to have a lot of preamp noise. I wish there was a way I could get rid of the humming and hissing from the audio interface. it seems no matter what frequency settings I try I can never seem to get rid of that hissing and humming

[@coscrupi]

Its like a jungle sometimes, Its makes me wonder how I keep from going under.

[@ThomasBoykin]

Broken glass everywhere?

[@ItWasEnder]

Why hasn’t jamie pulled up the slide yet 😔

[@MsLawRaw]

jamie pull up that slide about dmt

[@justinmiller6881]

This dudes hilarious

[@justinmiller6881]

Hey great video. I have a tube preamp that’s basically a studio channel and will allow me to ad some eq and compression before my Scarlett 18i8. Do you think it’s worth using for extra tone shaping or should I just record raw and do all that in the DAW?

[@ThomasBoykin]

Either way is fine, just do what sounds best to you.

[@kelvynification]

A little bit of hiss!!! Sorry! The extra gain that you get from something like a Cloudlifter reduces the noise floor that raising the gain on the interface preamp introduces whilst providing you with enough gain. You really need a Cloudlifter or something like that if you want a more pristine sound.

[@trollingisasport]

lol MAD TV fan

[@ThomasBoykin]

MAD

[@somethingsomething3248]

i got the reference lol

[@Zugliss]

for the rap part, should've just read cat and the hat

[@sevchyk]

Can you show us the results of your work released anywhere or you are another "know-it-all-but-did-nothing" youtube hobbyist commenter?

[@ThomasBoykin]

Check my IMDb credits.

[@sevchyk]

@@ThomasBoykin Are you the one that was born at the German Air base?

[@sevchyk]

@@ThomasBoykin Are you here or you backtracked?

[@someonesgottapostit]

Stopped watching in under 30 seconds when he compared it to Beats by Dre headphones lmao

[@ThomasBoykin]

Thanks for 29 seconds of your time

[@tims.2832]

Man, did I had to endure crappy videos about editing the signal of sm7b until the algorithm finally allowed me to see this one

[@RichardSpeights]

Yes, you don't necessarily need an inline boost. However, I don't like cranking my gain up nearly to max just to reach the proper recording peaks. I'm giving Cloud Lifter a try.

[@oldtimer666]

Same here, i own a focusrite clarett pre usb which i considered a decent interface but upon arrival of the microphone i noticed that i was only getting about -18dB of gain with my gain knob cranked out and the type of voice i have i would have to increase the gain of my recordings in my DAW which i hate doing since it brings more noise to the recording and loss of dynamic range. I bought a Dynamite DM2 yesterday and oh boy the difference is night and day and in my experience i didnt experience any noise floor in my recordings maybe because my room is about 70% acoustically treated. But whoever is buying this mic for vocal takes either get a really good interface like a RME or UAD apollo and if you cant afford those go for a cloudlifter it is a must trust me.

[@utubewillyman]

Yeah, I'm worried about recording a singer in a video where the mic is not supposed to appear in the frame. The room is poorly treated acoustically, so I don't want to use my large-diaphragm condenser. So he'll need to stand farther from the SM7B and there might not be enough signal even if I max my gain. I'm researching some cheaper alternatives to Cloudlifter.

[@oldtimer666]

@@utubewillyman get the tnt dynamite

[@utubewillyman]

@@oldtimer666 Thanks. I'm going to read some reviews. The Klark Teknik is so much cheaper though

[@raventime5606]

You can get a wa12 for the price of a cloudlifter LMAO

[@theoutsiderjess1869]

I'm glad someone made a video on this because people talk about this mic shows how good it sounds but don't show how it's supposed to be Eq to get the best use out of the sound

[@ThomasBoykin]

Thanks Jess. Most mics benefit from some EQ and compression. The SM7b is no different.

[@Might_b_iz]

This was exactly what I was looking for, thank you so much! All I heard was I needed to buy a CloudLifter so I am glad I found this video. My audio sounds a lot better now and I can actually hear my voice whereas before I couldn't hear anything.

[@ERICDIZZYASMR]

This is great. Using these techniques for my vocals that I record with my Re-20. The boost in the high end paired with the SA2 made my nips tingle. I use UAD plugins when I record my podcast, what do you suggest for podcast compression settings when using the LA-2A or 1176?

[@ThomasBoykin]

La2a into the 1176. Hit em both just enough and this chain will give you a great vocal sound.

[@cmili4039]

@@ThomasBoykin hell no, 1176 into la2a, u can adjust the attack and release before putting it into the la2a and that’s the most classic way of doing it

[@labrow]

One of the most enjoyable videos about EQ I have ever seen.

[@Bavary1]

i hear my headphone in shure sm7b when i record (bleed) , how i avoid it ! , i try lowcut post nothing change , i use dt990

[@ThomasBoykin]

For recording you will need to use closed back headphones. Open back headphones bleed. As a short term fix you can lower your headphone level

[@Vagrant1PSN]

this was very good, thanks. I have SM7B, still trying to figure it out, this hekped a ton.

[@penguinvibes]

can I pay you to help me set this up for streaming lol. It sounds trash on my end

[@ThomasBoykin]

Too busy right now, but maybe someday!

[@FCTHETRUTH]

incredible tutorial. i'm asking alot but could you tell us the exact Fabfilter Settings For KZbin!!??? i'll try to mimic EQ curves if not.

[@ThomasBoykin]

Every voice is different. Basic idea is a high shelf boosting up above 2k

[@fsb5370]

Just bought the mic and did close to everything you did... 👍🏾

[@jscjazz]

Watching this 2 years after it was posted. Great content here. FYI- Sure just released the new SM7dB which has a Cloudlifter built in!! Check it out if you're in the market for a mic.

[@ThomasBoykin]

Cool, I'll check it out

[@futuregootecks]

Super helpful, thank you so much!! Would love to see your process for using the SM7b in OBS for gaming streams

[@paprudnikov]

you can do the same as from this video "for youtube video" by adding VST fabfilter directly to obs and set it up like that. Or through virtual cables and for example pedalboard2

[@Prod.JBbeats]

So glad I didn’t waste money

[@rylandweet7750]

“Who’s genna hear that on an iPhone” Well I heard it on my iPhone 😂

[@eyemsoreel]

I’m 21, got the grandmaster flash reference 😂

[@ThomasBoykin]

You were raised right

[@4thechivostreamsarchive586]

As you mentioned, but it should be EMPHASIZED: You do want a Cloudlifter or FetHead if your pre-amp/interface/mixer has a higher noise floor, found in lower quality and cheaper equipment. It doesn't reduce the noise floor of the MIC, but the CloudLifter for example has a noise floor so low that it's basically imperceptible. So it's not the same thing as just cranking the gain on your preamp/interface/mixer. In this specific situation that I just explained, where your interface/mixer has a higher noise floor, using a CloudLifter/FetHead, etc, can literally be the difference between having a clean recording, or having to implement a gate in post because of a hiss or a buzz in the background.

[@jaywilldoit]

When i turn the gain all the way up on my sm7b, it picks up ALL of my mouth noises like smacking, tongue, saliva noises and what have you, am I doing something wrong?

[@ThomasBoykin]

Eat a green apple and make sure you are hydrated

[@JakeCuley]

Subscribed for the "jamie pull up that slide about DMT" line. so funny lol

[@TheCopperhound84]

Push Air on your focusrite 2i2 button plug that sm7b into it and set the gain to 3 'o clock now use your video editing or audio editing software to raise the volume a bit more and your done no need for a pre amp cloudlifter try it you'll thank me later ☺🤘

[@Graveda]

Thanks for that Video it helped me a lot to understand how it works. My sound is now crispyyyyy as fuck.

[@thenewgamers7382]

No cap though I know this stuff just I use FL studio to make beats and I use my phone to record, cause I can't afford auto tune 😭😭 this is a sad world we live in yo 😭🙏

[@flynnlizzy5469]

"I did not achieve this position in life by having some snot-nosed punk leave my cheese out in the wind". ~ Ed Rooney

[@flynnlizzy5469]

Are you touchy about Ferris Bueller comparisons ? :-) Just having a bit o' fun ! Great video btw, thanks Thomas, it was instructive.

[@ThomasBoykin]

I’m not touchy about much

[@Leikjarinn]

Thanks for this video sir, starting my youtube channel and ive been having little issues with some mics that im trying to use, then im looking at my sm7b and …. Yeah i should just get that on a boom out of frame and use him 😆

[@skrrrt1307]

I got an sm7b for music and content creation at home. My room isnt treated and it was a great option for me and my room, but im kinda thinking and seeing some condenser mics be like the earthworks ethos, be quite good in untreated rooms. My room is full of stuff ofc. But its probably bcuz im overthinking a bit xD Love the video btw!

[@wafflewafflewaffle]

Can anyone recommend a good preamp like he suggested? Ive seen other tutorials run the Focusrite Scarlett + Cloudlifter... Want to know which preamp i need to get so i don't need to buy the cloudlifter in this scenario. Also, not sure which is better- so any advice helps!! Thanks.

[@ThomasBoykin]

Just pick a preamp with lots of gain. Focusrite is cheap, but always check the specs.

[@Drewpthadawg]

Wow I had no clue there were switches on the bottom of the mic 😂 thanks for that lesson man, seriously. Super beginner here

[@JDOPost]

Jamie pull up that slide about DMT! 😆

[@aosminecraft]

Amazing info man, getting into write off time and picked up the sm7b with minimal knowledge of optimizing my audio and this was a massive help. Thanks a million!!

[@ThomasBoykin]

Write off time is here for me too! Debating on what to get.

[@aosminecraft]

@@ThomasBoykin if you wanna step your videos up big time, tube lights would be such a great addition to your already solid lighting setup. Adds great soft, dynamic background lighting with an even spread and they’re super easy to use! Would definitely make your background pop like crazy!

[@LJ-ie8wj]

​@@ThomasBoykin yo could I ask a favour please could you put a download link to download the Pro Q3 and pro C2 preset please?

[@photony]

Informative and entertaining! Love this, definitely have to subscribe. Great information, just what I was looking for.

[@DanofEarth]

a stifler AND mad tv reference in a single video! Damn. I have a shure running through a dbx 286s (shocking I know) and a steinberg interface. Im noticing the mic picking up a TON of background noise. I unfortunately am not in a treated room, but I'm not running a ton of gain and was under the impression this mic is great for reducing background sounds. Im wondering if it could be a faulty xlr cable or something else internal, any suggestions or am I just stupid? great vid!

[@ThomasBoykin]

Get right up on the mic. If you can’t smell the windscreen you are too far back.

[@PsychoBenches]

how tf does everyone else's sm7b sound like pro but mine sounds like a 2012 turtlebeach headset microphone

[@ThomasBoykin]

How is your voice?

[@PsychoBenches]

@@ThomasBoykin nvm turns out it was a counterfeit so I’m getting my money back

[@darkindustry]

Cutty-throughiness of the vocals... did I spell this one correctly? 😅

[@benjameek]

How much gain are you using in this video for the mic. I am using an RME interface which is supposedly very clean gain, but notice if I add 50-60db of gain I notice a hiss in the signal, even without a microphone plugged in.

[@ThomasBoykin]

About 80%

[@Nick__Tayler]

awesome video man, your hilarious, very helpful,

[@Gresavvi]

Is a focusrite Scarlett 3gen enough to power it if i add just enough gain for it to be heard? Can I not just compress and add gain to it iny DAW afterwards? I don't have the money to buy expensive interfaces or preamps.

[@ThomasBoykin]

This video was recorded through a Scarlett with the gain maxed on the SM7b. The levels you see in Pro Tools during the recording are without any processing. So yes it’s enough power.

[@dxgalaxy]

is this software worth buying

[@user-ot4rc9jh8e]

I use the shure for music recording. Its definitely over played in other media, especially streaming.

[@ThomasBoykin]

It’s a great floor tom or bass cab mic and suits some voices well.

[@kwilson617]

I think its nice for streaming because it doesn't pick up background as much which can be good for streaming. downside is speaking loud enough for that to apply can tire you out if you aren't a naturally loud person.

[@LuiTunes]

Thanks so much! I just recently got an SM7B so this is def. going to help me get more out of it. 🤘♥🤘

[@ThomasBoykin]

Glad to help. It’s a great mic and just needs a little love to really shine.

[@LuiTunes]

@@ThomasBoykin A lot of help indeed, I was too focused on the compression and saturation etc (Trying to find the sound I wanted to get out of it, but youre video made me stop and think) Ok let's go back to the EQ and start over and WOW! Made such a big difference.

[@illy2066]

LOL the lowered expectations took me out . Wasn't expecting it lol

[@romanponomarenko3099]

Hey Thomas! Thanks for the video, again - everything just on point!:) your chanel is the only one (literaly) which has this youtube bell enabled:)) keep it going man!

[@benii4391]

supa hot fire? 🤣🤣 im sad i diddint see any other ones thanks alot man

[@LDJayMusic]

Hey, you got also that rising noise from 1k HZ upwards. Is this the basic noise or is it posible to fix?

[@that1guyfromyoutube307]

I’ve been looking everywhere I don’t need a video for post processing I need help with being live and doing it and haveing it sound good on discord and other applications like games and Skype and stuff can anyone help 🥺

[@VaughnJogVlog]

I got the lowered expectations reference. Mad!

[@ThomasBoykin]

Look what I can do!

[@MeowMeowGames]

Rumor has it that Jamie still hasn’t pulled up that slide about DMT

[@ThomasBoykin]

Never will

[@konstantydrazek]

really good video ! Simple and with a dose of humor :)) Thank you man :) I just bought this mic and to be honest your advices qbout eq will help me alot for sure :) Before I had Rode NT usb so condencer mic and usb mic and I had to remove harshness from it in higher frequences but it started to be anoying since I sing in Polish and we got many sibilants and my voice is quite high pitch so I was really tired de essing and searching for harsh frequences so I decided to buy this one. And straight from the mic, raw audio its way way warmer and much less harshness. I will test the switches that u showed in the beginning :) Okay, Take care !

[@ThomasBoykin]

Yes some languages, especially Slavic ones or German can be better suited to warmer mics. In general I think there is too much high end in modern recordings. It doesn’t sound natural to me. Dynamics also help keep the room sound minimized which is great for home studios.

[@konstantydrazek]

@@ThomasBoykin you mean dynamics eq ? If so yes I use them ! Thanks for the respond Have a nice day !

[@konstantydrazek]

@@ThomasBoykin hey came back cuz got a question :) Like I said before i used Rode NT usb mic and it didn't have much white noise that hiss sound to remove it was pretty quiet. But now I got this sm7b, focusrite solo 3 and Klark teknik mic booster and I hear much noise even if I use noise remover(gain is about halfway) than I use paralell compression and its even worse. You know something about that maybe ?

[@spenddollarzent]

So you recommend recording your audio in a separate audio mixing app? What about if I want to use my video editor Adobe Premiere Pro to mix the audio, can I get the same results ? I have the Shure SM7b with a cloud lifter and a focusrite scarlett 3rd gen pre amp.

[@ThomasBoykin]

Yes just use an EQ to process it a bit. You could even do this with hardware, but it’s much cheaper to use what you have