rob aylestone
Moderator
I think the question about using Cloudlifters with SM7B mics just goes around and around, so today I thought I'd do a video about the differences preamps make. I use an SM7B in my videos as a comparison mic - the same mic, the same position in each video, so people know what I sound like. Then, using other mics makes some sort of sense in that you can hear differences. My pet hate is SM7Bs, RE20s and other big mics in shot - I think they look ugly, so my SM7B works at an arms length. This is way too far for most people, and I needed a preamp. I have the Imperative Audio FET Pre device, not a Cloudlifter, and it really does a good job at a not too bad price. As my mic is a fair way away I really need it, but I'm never convinced they're essential when you use an SM7B in close, so I thought I'd record the results.
The recording chain has worked really well for me and is a bit odd. The cameras in the studio are JVC 700 series, and have nice enough preamps. Not special, or wonderful - just neutral and have enough gain for most purposes. Normally this is the feed in point, so it goes mic - preamp - camera input - SDI out with embedded audio - Blackmagic ATEM - Blackmagic Hyperdeck - SD card - Adobe Premiere.
Today, I recorded direct to the cameras - one doing the usual SM7B/preamp combo, but the other SM7B direct to cameras with no preamp. The conclusions were what I suspected. At a distance - the preamp was essential, but touching lips and nearly touching lips I'm not certain I could really hear the preamp 'helping'. All recordings were simply normalised to get the peaks to match, and the result is the noise floor going up and down.
At least now when people ask about preamps, they might see the video and be able to hear what we constantly seem to bang on about.
The recording chain has worked really well for me and is a bit odd. The cameras in the studio are JVC 700 series, and have nice enough preamps. Not special, or wonderful - just neutral and have enough gain for most purposes. Normally this is the feed in point, so it goes mic - preamp - camera input - SDI out with embedded audio - Blackmagic ATEM - Blackmagic Hyperdeck - SD card - Adobe Premiere.
Today, I recorded direct to the cameras - one doing the usual SM7B/preamp combo, but the other SM7B direct to cameras with no preamp. The conclusions were what I suspected. At a distance - the preamp was essential, but touching lips and nearly touching lips I'm not certain I could really hear the preamp 'helping'. All recordings were simply normalised to get the peaks to match, and the result is the noise floor going up and down.
At least now when people ask about preamps, they might see the video and be able to hear what we constantly seem to bang on about.