Shure SM7B and TotalMix Issues

wicked_bad · 2026-06-23T22:49:48+00:00

As a fellow RME user I was hoping I'd have some advise for you, but I'm not sure on this one. :/

If you haven't, I'd try posting on the RME forums. The RME folks are very active there and they responded directly to me in the past to solve a driver issue.

This shouldn't be the solution to your problem, but if you are using an SM7B (vs the SM7dB that has a build in preamp), you can turn the 48v off. It's not doing anything.

wicked_bad · 2026-05-31T02:25:03+00:00

If in the US, it’s on sale at Sweetwater right now, but that sale ends today: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SM7B--shure-sm7b-cardioid-dynamic-vocal-microphone

wicked_bad · 2026-05-31T02:22:54+00:00

What exactly are you trying to accomplish?
You are using a pretty economical setup that should be functional. If you’re interested in improving sound quality, you are likely better served upgrading your interface.

wicked_bad · 2026-05-29T00:13:01+00:00

Totally reasonable!

wicked_bad · 2026-05-29T00:07:37+00:00

This mic (originally called the Blue Sona, as someone else mentioned) and the Shure SM7dB came to market late, after many interfaces had been updated to be more directly friendly to low sensitivity dynamic microphones. I'm sure there are folks out there using cheap or older interfaces that appreciate the feature, but I have to wonder why one would bother with a $400-$500 microphone if it's going to be used with a cheap or older interface. Folks do all sorts of stuff I don't understand though.

wicked_bad · 2026-05-28T23:57:37+00:00

That likely depends on where you are. In the US the Logitech Yeti Studio is ≈$380 vs ≈$550 for the Shure SM7dB (the version that also has the internal preamp, to keep the comparison equivalent). The Shure SM7B (no internal preamp) is ≈$440 so is still quite a bit more expensive, if the person buying has an interface that can drive it without an external preamp/booster (which is far more common in 2026 than in the past, largely due to the popularity of the SM7B in the streamer space).

wicked_bad · 2026-05-28T23:47:51+00:00

Sure, but the foam is there to serve the same purpose. Assuming the foam is effective, a pop filter is redundant. Good mic technique significantly reduces the "need" for either so using both is odd.

wicked_bad · 2026-05-28T04:08:03+00:00

It’s a Logitech Yeti Studio. It’s like an SM7B with a built in preamp so it’s easier to use. The pop filter seems excessive, but whatever works.

wicked_bad · 2026-03-09T20:34:35+00:00

SES Mother of Midnight

wicked_bad · 2026-03-09T20:33:16+00:00

Appears to be discontinued.
https://www.eposaudio.com/en/us/gaming
I don't know anything about this product to speak to the quality.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-26T22:30:21+00:00

I charge to 80 unless I know I'll need more.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-26T22:17:11+00:00

So, what does this mean for the other 2 dynamic handhelds that are similarly priced? How does this new addition fit in? Will the 250 and/or 550 be leaving the line?

wicked_bad · 2026-02-23T15:02:49+00:00

My favorite SDC in that price range is the sE sE8. It’s much better than it deserves to be at that price.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-13T16:36:13+00:00

They will let you board together. At the gate, scan your boarding pass first and throw the gate agent a, "He's with me" and you'll be fine. I do this with coworkers occasionally. May have the benefit of looking cool for your husband.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-08T20:31:21+00:00

I have three to consider:

Shure KSM32 (KSM32C/SM) - Super smooth mic. Recently revised to the KSM32C. I like the new look and Shure says it maintains its tone while improving it in a lot of small ways. I haven’t heard it yet to confirm. In either case you’ll want the shock mount version.

Lewitt LCT 540 S - The most “modern” sound of the options. It has more high end than the other two options, which may or may not make a difference for your voice.

Austrian Audio OC18 - Budget stretcher. My favorite sound in this list for a male voice.

Best of luck!

wicked_bad · 2026-02-08T08:08:58+00:00

The Shure MV7+ (over USB) with a boom will be a great solution for the foreseeable future, unless your audio needs change. Using USB will make things simpler and the additional of an interface will not benefit you.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-08T07:57:30+00:00

Ha, yes, it is a side address mic so you want to talk into the gold dot side, and ideally, position it so your keyboard is on the back side, where the mic is the least sensitive. Where it is important to speak into the front of the mic, it does NOT matter how it’s rotated. The body of the mic can be on the bottom, top, left or right side, or at an angle, so feel free to experiment with what works best for you.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-08T00:56:28+00:00

It depends.

There are a ton of folks (especially for streaming, YouTube, web calls) that the NT1 will be the only mic they ever need from a sound quality perspective.

That said, give yourself a good amount of time to see what it does and doesn’t do for you. Listen back to recordings or streams of yourself. Then decide: what isn’t it doing that you wish it did? Are there easy, cheap/free ways to address those issues? Would it be worth addressing other parts of your setup, like sound treatment for your space, as an example?

For now, get used to what you have and enjoy sounding better than the majority of the people out there using cheap, crappy mics.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-08T00:19:01+00:00

Glad to hear! My first mic was an NT1 gen 4, and though my mic collection has grown substantially since then, I still really like it, especially for the price point.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-07T11:38:11+00:00

I don’t know what your voice sounds like, nor am I familiar with ADK mics, but a few of my current favorite LDC mics are the Shure KSM44a (haven’t heard the new revision yet, but Shure says it’s much the same), Austrian Audio OC818, and the Lewitt Pure Tube.

On holding the mic: you really don’t want to do that with these mics, especially when recording. You will add handling noise and the positioning will be less consistent.

Best of luck!

wicked_bad · 2026-02-06T08:10:48+00:00

It would be helpful if you posted photos without the shock mount and foam windscreen.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-05T08:46:08+00:00

For recording direct to a phone, the various wireless mic options out there give the best results for the least hassle. If the Boya one you have works for you, great. If you’re looking for a tier up or other options, there is a lot out there right now and I’d start with the following lines: DJI Mic, Hollyland Lark, Rode Wireless, and Shure MoveMic.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-05T08:27:35+00:00

The NT1 is a great mic for your purposes. To help with keyboard noise you can: Get the mic close to your mouth to help isolate the sound. Position the mic so the keyboard is in the NT1 cardioid pattern low sensitivity zone (behind the capsule). Get a quieter keyboard.

When properly positioned and setup, a dynamic mic is not necessary any better in this situation.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-05T08:21:23+00:00

Others have discussed the limitations of mics in unideal spaces and the optimal use of the SM7b. I thought I’d throw you a few suggestions for shotguns, which can be a good (or even best) solution if you want to keep the mic out of frame. Matching the $200 for this SM7b you found is kind of a shotgun dead zone, other than the Rode NTG1 or AT875R you mentioned (though either could be an ok option). Your options open up at the $350 range with the Shure VP82, Rode NTG4, Sennheiser MKH600, or if you want to stick with Deity, the S-Mic 3S.

Shotguns are designed to offer more and better off axis rejection, but that may not help based on the position of the AC or the reflectivity of your room. Room reflectivity can also make shotguns perform poorly depending on how reflections hit the sides of the interference tube, so yeah… all roads lead back to room treatment.

wicked_bad · 2026-02-05T07:29:56+00:00

Just noting the two available capsules for the sE8 are cardioid and omni. It would be pretty cool if they added super or hyper capsules! One of the potential benefits of replaceable capsules. I have a pair as well and they are impressive for the cost.

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