So, picked them up today. Using them on a project as I write. Four takes down, another 10 or so to go. First - this thing is REALLY quiet. And I mean that in more ways than one. It needs the CloudLifter, though I was able to get a decent signal by cranking my 2i2 up to 60% or so, although there was more noise in that method. Then, I inserted the CL-1 into the chain and I turned the 2i2 down to about 20% gain, and this is much better. It's about as loud as before (without the CL-1) but cleaner and more accurate.
I thought there would be a switch of some kind on the CL-1 to let me decide how much gain I want to use, but NOPE! It's just full gain or none. It doesn't require power, aside from probably the interface/phantom maybe? I don't know if it's drawing power from that or not, though I suspect it is since the hiss from the DAW gets louder when I plug in the CL-1 without the mic plugged in at the end of that chain. So, that's one way I can tell it's working.
The 7b is pretty sweet. I now have a "real" mic.
Immediately, I felt like I could perform better. Maybe it's psychological, knowing that I have a well-known and respected vocal mic. Also, it really cuts out outside noise, hum, and whatever else. You have to be pretty direct when singing into it. But the old condenser I used (st51) would pick up a ton of hissing and outside noise, but with this 7b I wasn't even sure it was on and picking up sound until I sang into it! To make that more clear, I usually put headphones on, and turn on the mic channel in my DAW. The mic is inside the walk-in closet, but I could hear traffic noise and whatnot very loudly in my headphones by just engaging the mic channel (setting it to rec). With the 7b, I turned on the mic channel and heard NOTHING. That is, until I stepped in front of it and started singing. And it was loud (CL-1 was on). But no external noise - or very, very minimal.
I'm debating on trying it without the screen, and just using my pop filter. It comes with 2 foams, one already attached, the other separate. Some use the mic without EITHER screen, and it gets a brighter sound. I've kept the shelves completely flat, for now. I'll record my tune, mix it and whatnot, then reevaluate for the next one if I should change anything up about the setup. Whether I should engage the boosts or cuts, or switch up the foam situation.
[MENTION=43272]Steenamaroo[/MENTION] [MENTION=185561]Robus[/MENTION]