Need some microphone help

  • Thread starter Thread starter iMufHD
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iMufHD

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Hey everyone, so I recently got a Shure SM7B. I do alot of things like making youtube videos, podcasts, things of that nature. With the SM7b I got an M-Audio MobilePre. When I first started recording the Shure was really really quiet. And I had to do a lot of post editing to boost the audio back up. Then I found out that even though the SM7b doesn't need phantom power, It still needs a ton of clean gain which my pre amp does not quite provide. So I did some research and came across the Cloudlifter CL-1 which is suppost to boost your microphone by 20-25db. I just recieved it today and got it all hooked up and now my recording software (which is audacity if that helps) won't pick up any sound from my microphone. I'm not really sure what is going on, if anyone could provide me with any information on if maybe I hooked something up wrong as far as with the Cloudlifter or if I should just invest in a higher end pre amp or what. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks
 
"Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator is an easy to use, compact solution for common audio problems faced in the field and in the studio. Designed for all passive microphones – including ribbons- the CL-1 safely uses any standard phantom powered microphone input device to provide up to +25db of ultra-clean, transparent gain."

It sounds like the cloud lifter needs phantom power to work.
 
Steenamaroo said:
"Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator is an easy to use, compact solution for common audio problems faced in the field and in the studio. Designed for all passive microphones – including ribbons- the CL-1 safely uses any standard phantom powered microphone input device to provide up to +25db of ultra-clean, transparent gain."

It sounds like the cloud lifter needs phantom power to work.
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Yea the Cloudlifter does. My Pre amp has a switch that provides phantom power
 
Yea it's on. And i have XLr going from my SM7B to the cloudlifter which is XLR as well and then from there it goes from XLR to 1-4" jack which plugs into my Preamp. I'm just lost haha. When the Cloudlifter is not plugged in to anything and it goes from just my Mic to my preamp it works but it's quiet and then as soon as I put the cloudlifter into the situation it just doesn't pick up anything.
 
iMufHD said:
and then from there it goes from XLR to 1-4" jack which plugs into my Preamp.
Click to expand...

That's the problem.
If you used that cable with the sm7b in the first place it may well be the underlying reason why your recordings were quiet.
Jack inputs are almost always line or instrument level. Microphone signals are much level than this.


Phantom power is delivered over pins 2+3 of an XLR socket.
It's not presented at a jack socket.
Imagine it was and you plugged a TS cable in with phantom on; You would bridge 48v straight to ground and burn out your supply.

You need a second XLR-XLR cable to make the CL-1 work.
 
iMufHD said:
Yea it's on. And i have XLr going from my SM7B to the cloudlifter which is XLR as well and then from there it goes from XLR to 1-4" jack which plugs into my Preamp.
Click to expand...

The 1/4" jack will not supply phantom power. You need another XLR-XLR cable.
 
bouldersoundguy said:
The 1/4" jack will not supply phantom power. You need another XLR-XLR cable.
Click to expand...

Oh I got you, I will need to return this pre amp then and get a different one that accepts XLR as this one does not provide that. I really appreciate it
 
If it has phantom power it has XLR sockets.

It's probably a combo connector so it doesn't look like a traditional XLR socket.

XLR-phone_jack_combo_connector.webp
 
Steenamaroo said:
If it has phantom power it has XLR sockets.

It's probably a combo connector so it doesn't look like a traditional XLR socket.

View attachment 76902
Click to expand...

Yea i had just taken a second look and noticed that, you can probably tell I'm newer to these higher end mics. I just went out and got a new XLR to XLR cable and it works. And damn does this mic sound good, I really appreciate you help. I never would have figured that out
 
No probs. :) You're not the first person not to know that.
Enjoy, and welcome.
 
I love it when a plan comes together. See? There are, occasionally, simple questions with simple answers. It's the exception that proves the rule.
 
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