andrushkiwt
Well-known member
...I must ask why you have issue with the 58. It should not need as much input gain as a SM7b.
Found this on GS:
"In addition, all three intended uses of the "combo"jacks are clearly explained in the Scarlett 2i2 Manual.
The issue of insufficient Scarlett 2i2 mic pre gain using a SM57, SM58 or SM7B comes up at least once a month on this forum, so a search of posts will turn up the same information and advice. It has not changed in years since the 2i2 was released.
Having stated all of the above, the actual mic input gain of the Scarlett 2i2 using the XLR input is very low for use with a Shure SM57. The SM57 output, for a quite loud sound pressure level of 94 dB SPL, is only -56dBV.
That means that is someone is speaking into a SM57 at a relatively loud sound level of 94dB SPL, and the mic is connected to a Scarlett 2i2 Mic input set to maximum gain, the digital recording level will not exceed -10dB(FS). Also, the Scarlett 2i2 Mic pres are fairly noisy when operated at full gain.
They can work acceptable with with a high-output, phantom-powered condenser mic, but really don't have enough gain for a low-output dynamic like a SM57 or SM58, unless you are only recording very loud sounds. A loud drum set or a close-miced guitar amp producing a SPL of 105-110 dB SPL is fine, but many other potential sound sources are simply not loud enough.
Most people who need to record using s SM57/58 using a Scarlett 2i2 interface wind up adding a Triton FetHead or Cloud Cloudlifter CL-1 pre-pre amp (sometimes also called a "head-amp") ahead of the Scarlett 2i2 Mic input. A FetHead or Cloudlifter CL-1 adds 20dB or more additional gain to the 2i2 Mic input signal path.
For most recording applications, a SM57 or SM58 really need a mic pre with 60 to 65 dB gain., as well as a very low input noise figure. The Scarlett 2i2 gain is simply not enough for those mics, and it's too noisy. It's a poor match for a SM57/58.
The oft-repeated solutions for this situation are:
1. Use your SM57 with the Scarlett 2i2 Mic input, but add a FetHed to boost the gain and reduce the input noise to reasonable levels.
2. Change to a phantom-powered condenser mic with a sensitivity of at least -37dbV@ 1PA (like a AT 2020 or similar).
3. Dump the Scarlett 2i2 and switch to a interface with higher gain internal mic pres (look for at least 60dB gain, but 65 dB gain is better).
4. Add an external Mic pre ahead of the Scarlett 2i2 and connect its "line-level" output to the 2i2 "line-level" 1/4-inch TRS input using a balanced TRS/TRS cable.
Again look for an external mic pre with 60 or 65dB of gain."
Scarlett 2i2 and Shure sm57 gain problems - Gearslutz Pro Audio Community