preamp to drive an sm7

[gbav]

Hey guys was looking for some advice on a preamp to drive a shure sm7. What I have now just doesn't have the available gain. I'd say my budget goes up to about 500 dollars for this. Just any suggestions would be nice to hear on what others are using if they own this mic.

Take care

gary

 

[Sir EL84]

Hi,
I posted a similar question (Grace 101 /SM7) just a couple of weeks ago and got numerous responses. Use the search function to find that thread. If you do go with the Grace, make sure to get the ribbon mic model w/ has about 70db of gain for around $565 new.

 

[gbav]

Thanks so much man. I swear i typed in alot of combos of "sm7" and "preamp" and that didn't come up. Found it now though, incredibly useful.

Thanks again

gary

 

[TragikRemix]

how much gain does a sm7 need?? do you have the manfacturer's spec?

 

[Big Kenny]

Safe sound P1
John Hardy
Dav BG 1
RNP

 

[gbav]

Tragic, not sure. I'm at work so id on't have anything in front of me. After researching it seems like everyones saying a pre with 60db of clean gain is ideal.

BigKenny. Thanks alot for the suggestions. I've heard good things about all those and the grace 101 mentioned before. I'll take a drive out to a bigger music store (guitar center/sam ash/etc.) and see how many i can try out. Around here at local music shops it seems like no one cares about the recording needs at all.

Thanks again for the helps guys. Very much appreciated

take care

gary

 

[Sir EL84]

Hmmm, I would just bypass the big stores (and mom&pop ones too) and just go to some quality online dealers that seem to cater to recording musicians ie : Sweetwater, Humbucker Music, there are other as well. I like Sweetwater myself although I just can't think of the other forum favorites just this second.

 

[Big Kenny]

Front End Audio
Soundpure
Full Compass

 

[xstatic]

D&R also makes an excellent little 2 channel preamp for about $500.

 

[Big Kenny]

Tell me more about this D&R

 

[xstatic]

The D&R external preamp is built just like the preamps out of the console. It is a fairly neutral preamp, with a kind of soft warmth and a lot of clean gain. no beels and whistles, just sound and a single gain knob per channel. Almost the opposite of API. Rather than aggressive and punchy, it is more rounded and smooth.