SM7 -- or any dynamic -- and two pres?

[Bodhisan]

I'm getting an SM7B, and, from past threads, I take it you need a better-than-average-homerecording pre. I've got a Meek VCQ3 and VTB1, plus the pres on an MBox. The two pres I have do, as anyone who has them knows, get up to 60 on the input gain. If it's not enough for soft vocals, or even moderate volume vocals, is chaining the two pres an option? In the meantime, I'll try some searching....

 

[Teacher]

i find 60 db to be just enuff for quiet vocals with my SM7(some say the b has a higher output then the original..)

for a dynamic with such a low output you want a pre amp that has low distortion as gain increases...first thing that comes to mind in the somewhat cheap arena is RNP for $475 can't go wrong

 

[Michael Jones]

I have an SM7 that I use with a pre that has up to -80dB of gain. I have never had to push it over 60dB for the SM7, but... noise floor will be an issue on pres of lesser quality.

Get your mike, and try it out with what you do have. If its not acceptable, then go from there.

 

[chessparov]

Your VTB-1 should work fine as it's quiet even at full gain and it has an additional 12 dB gain stage, along with the pre's initial 60 dB.
It's a "better than average home recording pre" already.

Chris

 

[Bodhisan]

Thanks, fellas. So, I reckon chaining two pres together is not a good option, the key word being "good"?

 

[Teacher]

Thanks, fellas. So, I reckon chaining two pres together is not a good option, the key word being "good"?

not usually but try it and see what happens it may be good on certain situations

 

[chessrock]

You'd get all kinds of impedence mismatching issues going that route.

Even most consumer grade mic pres should have enough gain for an SM-7. Get a DMP-3 or a Rane MS-1B. Plenty of clean juice there.

 

[bleyrad]

You'd get all kinds of impedence mismatching issues going that route.

Like what?

Mic->Mic in 1->DI In 2->Frontend

Impedance should be pretty well-matched across whole path.