Solid State Logic SSL2+ & Shure SM7B | Setup & Test

[@MikeBiohazard]

I'm two years late, but glad this is still up as these are two upcoming purchases. Thanks for the info and tests.

[@SpinwhizComics]

Thank you very much for going over everything, especially with and without using a Cloudfilter!

[@kreholdev5855]

Thank you for making this video. When I heard someone say " oh you don't need a cloud filter" i immediately thought "what?? yeah right!" Thanks for clearing that up.

[@Pepingco]

I did not realise I needed this video - I just recently bought an SM7B for my Rodecaster Pro for podcasting but took it home to use for recording and connected it to my SSL2+ and I like this combination. Thankyou!

[@aidanneuner]

Great video! Been having trouble getting a clean signal from an older audiobox interface (even with a CL) and this solidified me saving up for an SSL2+. Thanks!

[@kozasport]

That video helped me a lot! Thanks man 👊

[@kettnercreative]

Glad it helped!

[@Realcbdave]

great video, literally was I was looking for

[@matt-gs7nx]

Thank you for your video Jordan. I bought the sm7db and ssl2

[@its.chrisrobinson]

You are 20cm away from the mic but its designed to speak directly in front of it. I think the AMP is not necessary if you use it properly close in front of it.

[@PsychoCaki]

Exactly! 3 inches of is the perfect distance. SSL 2 has very strong preamps

[@officiallyfussy]

Excellent video. I have ordered the SSL2 and have the Shure Mv7 and seeing how the SSL2+ operated is great. One day I’ll have to upgrade to the SM7B.

[@jackfisher7274]

It sounded a little distorted around the edges with the SSL at its high gain setting.. When you put the CL1 in line it helped a lot. I don't think the SSL liked being turned up 90+%!😊😊

[@kamrynrose863]

Thank you sooooo much!!!!❤

[@rileymcmead]

why does the mic on your jacket sound better the the Shure SM7B?

[@oliveribanez]

Can you connect the SSL2 directly to a camera like the lumix GH5? This would eliminate the need to sync video and audio in post, and would be good for livestreaming.

[@a1d5]

you probably can, as you can select what input for audio/video separately. Also you can use ssl2 to blend the input signal and use it without a computer

[@fionakiely3505]

Thank you so much for this

[@javialexarias]

It´s normal that the dinamic micro needs more gain for sounds? Like in this minute 2:47. With a condenser microphone obiusly needs few gain, but with dinamic neend more. It´s normal right?

[@paoong991]

Hello. What is your software to check the dB of the mic? Btw. I bought this setup. Thanks man for this review

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Interesting video thanks, I helped a friend of mine who is a VoiceOver artist set up her SM7B with a cloud lifter sometime ago and she seems pretty happy but she is using a RME interface not the SLL2 plus. I’ve used the SSL2 plus quite a lot so was surprised at how little difference the cloud lifter seemed to make..was expecting you to be running the gain closer to one or 2 o’clock.

[@qqme2967]

You enable other mic when you plug in cl1 and forget to mute it afterward

[@kettnercreative]

Shoot. I guess that ship has sailed now. Thanks for the heads up. Sometimes the editing gets sloppy around here.

[@truthtimetv4575]

i was thinking i somehow activated my surround sound shit lol then realized it was the actual video

[@andrewp1513]

Thanks for doing this video. I have an SM7b, and from my research, the SSL 2 and 2+ were the only sub $350 interfaces that could power it. I’m very happy with the combo. I do have a question about the monitor mix setting on the interface. I don’t use monitors, so I just have the dial at 12, halfway between ‘USB’ and ‘input’. Using it for conference calls. I think I have the stereo button engaged, from memory. I don’t really have a handle on the routing options yet, and was wondering if you had any advice on the best settings. Cheers from Sydney, Andrew

[@kettnercreative]

I wouldn't use the stereo option for everyday use. This puts input 1 in the left ear and input 2 in the right ear. This is more used for monitoring two mics separately and isn't practical for things like video conferencing. Everything else sounds correct. Love this combo!

[@andrewp1513]

@@kettnercreative thanks Jordan

[@nathanielfaerman]

Hey, did you get the SSL 2 or 2+? And if so, do you need a preamp for the SM7b or is it fine without? Thanks :)

[@andrewp1513]

@@nathanielfaerman Hi there. I did get the SSL 2+, and it was goooood! I did have to turn it up to 9 or 10 to get good levels, but it was good. I talk quietly though. The meters were very handy. So it was a great preamp for the SM7B. I did sell it though. For my livestream needs, and more because my partner, who isn’t tech savvy, uses it, I realised that I needed a compressor. I already had a mix pre 3ii, so I use this the sm7b when I need to. For my daily desk set up, I’m using a small mixing board with a sennheiser dynamic that needs less gain. The mixing board gives me much better routing options, still sounds great, and I can add an outboard compressor to it at some point. Not sure if you wanted to know all this, but in case it helps 🤷‍♂️. The SSL2, I didn’t get the 2+, was great for driving the SM7b. If you’re capturing and editing audio, it’s perfect. If you’re doing live stuff, or aren’t that good at editing, you could consider a channel strip, like a 286s, into a cheap interface, for about the same price? What are you planning to do with it?

[@nathanielfaerman]

@@andrewp1513Thanks for the detailed answer. I'm producing some music, planning on recording vocals/instruments and also podcasting/voicechatting. Really everything :)

[@atomiccBTC]

Very nice video

[@kamikazilucas]

do you need a cloudlifter or a inline preamp for this mic and interface?

[@jeffecalixto]

Excellent video, I have a voice with deep bass, and I want to do voiceovers, narrations, voiceovers, singing... professional, SSL2+ will give me more quality with Shure Sm7b in my deep bass and voice than the Scarlett 2i2 interface?

[@ukaszkaczmarek990]

As simple as that!? :) Thanks!

[@Accuaro]

Any videos on an xlr mute box for the shure sm7b?

[@AlexanderLebedev_sortafreel]

Awesome videos, great thanks! Any recommendation on quiet Audio Interfaces to use without CL1?

[@AlexanderLebedev_sortafreel]

I looked through most of your videos about Shure SM7B :)

[@elitenoahcruz]

Probably a stupid question but does the ssl2+ work good with fl studio? I have this mic and want this setup but need to know if this will work with fruity loops

[@ProjektMayh3m]

Absolutely. The SM7B and SSL2/SSL2+ both have a very low noise floor overall, so you can record as shown in the video and still be able to crank the gain up before you actually hear noise.

[@ads3453]

Which audio interface card does not require you to crank it right up to the max or require an inline pre-amp to get to reasonable volume levels ?

[@SuperSamsosa]

should i keep the mix knob at 12 o`clock ... which is the middle ?

[@elitehulk431]

Is it normal that 0 dont work like mute and its still provides some gain to mic? Also with monitors?

[@xfury739]

hi great video , which the software to monitor the decibel (db) about microphone?

[@kettnercreative]

I use Logic Pro, but you can use OBS for free

[@ZackAmStart]

Hi can you help me. I have the SSL2 + Shure Sm7b but my white noise level is so much higher in comparison to yours. Am I doing something wrong? Could it be the Xlr cable? I also tried two others interfaces with the sm7b but the signal noise ratio is always the same.

[@kettnercreative]

Sounds like you might have a filter/plugin/etc. on your computer that is adding the noise.

[@cruscifer]

CRVSCIFER 1 second ago Try cycling the phantom power and the line and hi-z buttons off and on several times. Clean and reconnect the xlr or 1/4 inch cables from the inputs several times. I had extreme white noise at high gain on both channels of my SSL2+ but some combo of the above steps fixed my 2nd input but not the 1st. In fixing the 1st input I noticed that my hi-z and line buttons were making static pops when pushing them, so i mashed them off/on until they became quiet, I just repeated the above steps and after one minute got the 1st input to be quiet also. I suspect this is simply dirty dusty connectors or an electrostatic buildup in the phantom power circuit. I now have the expected noise floor of -60 db lufs at full gain, and before the fix anything above gain 6 made audible noise at -20 lufs. good luck

[@johngerardmusic7761]

Perhaps speaking a little closer to the mic would avoid the need for the cloud lifter.

[@danzellisdeman1]

My ssl makes a hissing white noise when i turn up the gain on both channels what do i have to do to fix that. Please help me!

[@adamrudes2012]

Hi this was very informative thanks very much. I am sllightly confused about playback and how to hear it in my headsets. are the headsets plugged into to the SSL or my Mac book and do I have to change the settings on my Mac book to listen back?

[@kettnercreative]

Plug your headphones into your SSL. Change your audio settings on your macbook to use the SSL for your listening device.

[@reverse_6167]

Sir which is more worth buying? The 'Universal audio Apollo twin x' or the 'Solid state logic ssl2+' ?

[@kettnercreative]

I haven’t done a direct comparison of those two

[@MaliuxuL]

I ordered the SM7B. I will use it for live broadcasts. I'm using SSL 2+, do you think I should buy Cloudlifter?

[@tw364]

My answer is don't get a cloud lifter, learn how to use the mic correctly and let the SSL-2 do the work.

[@Luchodela]

Hi! thanks so much for the video. Do you think that for singing recording it would be enough with the SSL2+? would a Presonus Tube Pre v2 be better than the cloudlifter? (almost same price range) Thanks!

[@TyKingsSon]

I have ssl2+ I also have an expensive neve type external pre, I do mainly singing and rap w condenser should I plug pre in or just use ssl + ??

[@ghazalinternationalnorway6369]

How is ssl2 + Dbx376 + Meuman Tlm3 ? How to Connect it in a home Recording?

[@kettnercreative]

The steps in this guide will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4Oli4uAmqmjeKs

[@itskane1791]

Everyone i know has this set up. Lol. Kaotica eyeball is making their products for the sm7b now. Whats your opinion on that?

[@kettnercreative]

I don’t have one

[@a1d5]

they're okay if your environment is not acoustically perfect. Assuming you're recording vocals you could definitely look into that set up if you wanted to.

[@MochoOfficial]

if i put on -18 i can hear the pc fan, what should i do?

[@SiLLoH42]

I have the shure sm7b. And im currently using it with. Presonus studio96 interface which is crap. I was wondering which do you think out of the ssl2+ or the scarlett 8i6 to upgrade it too. And would i still need a preamp for recording singing and rapping on it??

[@purpleheart69420]

Scarlet sucks for dynamic mics... The only good cheap interfaces you can go with for the 7B are the SSL2 or the ID14.

[@rasmusbilow615]

It doesnt host the plugins like UAD do? (Plugins runs via the interface and not your computers CPU)

[@kettnercreative]

With SSL2, the plugins are all on the computer side. No local memory for this.

[@joeytribbiani3313]

Thanks maaan!! I think the quality of the 4k it shows better with a condenser mic (like rode nt1) than with this, What do u think? I'm thinking of buying one of these two microphones and I want to get the most out of the 4k button. Thanks for your videos man, it helps a lot!!!

[@kettnercreative]

Here's a video where you can compare the SM7B to the NT1 with the 4k button: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5-yc2CPZ9-Vnck

[@ruahproduction1739]

I need my sm 57 at 10 and theres alot of hiss when it's all the way up.

[@cruscifer]

CRVSCIFER 1 second ago Try cycling the phantom power and the line and hi-z buttons off and on several times. Clean and reconnect the xlr or 1/4 inch cables from the inputs several times. I had extreme white noise at high gain on both channels of my SSL2+ but some combo of the above steps fixed my 2nd input but not the 1st. In fixing the 1st input I noticed that my hi-z and line buttons were making static pops when pushing them, so i mashed them off/on until they became quiet, I just repeated the above steps and after one minute got the 1st input to be quiet also. I suspect this is simply dirty dusty connectors or an electrostatic buildup in the phantom power circuit. I now have the expected noise floor of -60 db lufs at full gain, and before the fix anything above gain 6 made audible noise at -20 lufs. good luck

[@markus_music]

Where is the noise? I have the same setup and problem with so much noise :((((((

[@cruscifer]

Try cycling the phantom power and the line and hi-z buttons off and on several times. Clean and reconnect the xlr or 1/4 inch cables from the inputs several times. I had extreme white noise at high gain on both channels of my SSL2+ but some combo of the above steps fixed my 2nd input but not the 1st. In fixing the 1st input I noticed that my hi-z and line buttons were making static pops when pushing them, so i mashed them off/on until they became quiet, I just repeated the above steps and after one minute got the 1st input to be quiet also. I suspect this is simply dirty dusty connectors or an electrostatic buildup in the phantom power circuit. I now have the expected noise floor of -60 db lufs at full gain, and before the fix anything above gain 6 made audible noise at -20 lufs. good luck

[@AlexJohn2us]

" Thank You ! "

[@kettnercreative]

You're welcome.

[@AntyCsy]

If SSL2+ has a preamp build-in, why use a separate preamp?

[@kettnercreative]

Depending on how well you can project your voice, you might need more than the 62dB of gain that the SSL2+ can provide.

[@AntyCsy]

@@kettnercreative Thomann FetAmp - would you recommend it to SSL2+ & Shure SM7B setup?

[@boostedej6]

i sound like a bot but when i had a 3rd gen scarlett i had my sm7b on one channel but for my ssl2 i only got the option for 2 channel and i only hear myself from one side

[@kettnercreative]

Sounds like a software setting, not an interface setting.

[@boostedej6]

@@kettnercreative Thank you boss man I figured it out though I ended up downloading voice meter and I was able to make my mic single channel And he now works and games and when I’m streaming

[@doctorgears9358]

Mmmm yes, Xbox 360 mic peaking is my spirit animal

[@kettnercreative]

SO MUCH PEAKING

[@jesseward3121]

Does anyone know how to use the mic input without it monitoring directly through the speakers? I am trying to use my mic for streaming but I can hear myself all the time.

[@kettnercreative]

Turn the monitor mix knob all the way to the right (USB). Then you'll need to mute the microphone in your monitoring options of whatever software you're using.

[@jesseward3121]

@@kettnercreative aye! it's like a cross fader. I get it now. Thanks!

[@kettnercreative]

@@jesseward3121 Yes! Exactly! Happy to help.

[@iandguzman]

Thanks for the video! I hope u can answer, i have 2 sound interfaces, Scarlette 2i4 and SSL 2+ and I notice a huge difference when it comes to “loudness” when they’re on the same gain level with my Shure SM7B. Im not sure if that is expected? Does my scarlette have a better preamp?

[@ritemindbeats3116]

So phantom power shouldn’t harm the shure sm7b? I recorded for a good hour with it on and am paranoid now 😅

[@ProjektMayh3m]

Phantom power does not harm the SM7B. You do not need phantom power for this mic but if you do need to plug in to an input that has phantom power present, it will not harm the microphone.

[@ThatJoe]

Wow your voice is somehow so holesome

[@ThatJoe]

And also first BTW

[@kettnercreative]

Aha, thank you?