VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

Hello All,

Could I get some feedback from those who may have experience with the USBPre 2 when paired with the Neumann TLM 49 and Shure SM7B? (to be used by male baritone)?

Also, in the "more-portable" category, I've read various opinions suggesting that, for use with the SM7B, the Micport Pro (even with Cloudlifter or FEThead) does poorly in general and especially when compared to the M-Audio C400...so, if anyone has direct experience in that area, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks!

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

My understanding is that the MicPort Pro paired with a Cloudlifter or FETHead will get you the gain you need with an SM7B, but that in comparison to other options it's just not the most cost effective solution.

Bish · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 7:02 am Post subject:

The FETHead cost me $100... it was a distress purchase because my preamp (at the time - Apogee Duet) just didn't have the gain unless running flat-out. I found the same with the Focusrite 2i2 and M-Audio Mobile Pre. In retrospect, it was $100 well spent as it allowed me to use the SM7B (and by extension, any dynamic mic) without having to worry about a specific preamp's gain. The SM7B with the FETHead was a fine combination (the FETHead is transparent) if you want to go the dynamic route... but I never considered it a portable solution as it's a fairly large and clunky mic to begin with.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Slight threadjack here but Bish, what made you choose the FEThead over the CloudLifter?

GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

Bish · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 7:25 am Post subject:

The Cloudlifter is a "box" device that you have to cable in and out of, so the chain is mic-cable-cloudlifter-cable-pre. The FETHead is an in-line "barrel" device with male/female XLR connectors and fits happily as a cable "extension". I actually used it straight into the back of the SM7B (pointing downwards, so no strain issues). The chain is then mic-FETHead-cable-pre - one less cable to buy and one less connection to go bad. You can also stufff it straight into the preamp input if you want and cable to the mic from there. This was the deciding factor for me as all my tech research told be that they were just simple JFET amps with nothing to choose between them from a tech perspective.
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Bish, I had a Duet until it went kaput about a year ago. I seem to remember it having plenty of useable gain (around 70 db) for the SM7.

Are you saying the FET improved the performance of it?

I know everyone's experience is different but this is interesting stuff.

Bish · Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2015 5:55 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't say "improved performance"... I agree that the Duet had enough gain... but I just don't like running things flat-out... which is what I was finding. The FETHead was definitely needed (must have rather than nice to have) with other pre-amps though. The unit is completely transparent and just ups the level and (with the Duet) I didn't feel I was keeping it in t's comfort zone. Which may be a crock, but it's how I viewed it Smile

_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

The FET head / Sm7b combo is the way to go. I can't see in a million years an Sm7b as a portable solution. I will say though that it's probably the quietest mic I've used

I just think it's not a very versatile mic for VO. The muddiness kind of got to me after a while. It fails to deliver any sort of crispness and clarity
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Lee Kanne
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GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

Captain54, are you saying that the FET head / SM7B combo is "the way to go" only IF a person is determined to use the SM7B in the first place...but that you don't see the SM7B as having a place in voiceover at all?

I know that others share your view...and yet still others seem to find it just wonderful for their own VO applications.

Could I ask what travel-worthy VO mic you'd suggest for a deep-voiced male if the SM7B works very well with his voice?

(And, do you envision ANY voiceover situations (on male voices or reads) where the SM7B does an excellent job?)

Thanks, Cap!

Quicksilver · Been Here Awhile Joined: 29 Oct 2012 Posts: 217

I read somewhere that this was recorded on an SM7b

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKL254Y_jtc

Great mic for radio and certainly a not a bad choice for VO.

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

Okay, Captain, thanks...I'll get to work on those other 100 Smile

I appreciate the recommendations and critique of the SM7B.

chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

AKG Perception 220, Shure SM7b, and Sennheiser 416.. for your review

https://db.tt/czozaHut

Hi Pass applied to all.. Shure SM7b was a bit more surgically EQ'd...
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Lee Kanne
www.leekanne.com