Preamp for Shure SM7B

[assassino]

Hello,

I just bought a Shure SM7B, but I have a piece of crap mixer so I need a good preamp with lot of gain for this microfoon. So wich preamp is a good combination with this mic? And i olso have a EMU 1212m card.

My budget is around $700.

I was thinking of:
RNP
UA solo 610
Grace 101
P-solo
DAV BG-1

Record sound with my bad mixer (I am the rapper)
Snippit.mp3

[-m-]

I like the UA 610 with my SM7B

Just my 2 cents

[assassino]

Do you have an audio file so I can hear the quality of the sound?

[orksnork]

Originally Posted by assassino

Hello,

I just bought a Shure SM7B, but I have a piece of crap mixer so I need a good preamp with lot of gain for this microfoon. So wich preamp is a good combination with this mic? And i olso have a EMU 1212m card.

My budget is around $700.

I was thinking of:
RNP
UA solo 610
Grace 101
P-solo
DAV BG-1

if you were gonna go with the grace, why not try the grace 101 ribbon, only a few bucks more and gets you a bunch more gain

[assassino]

So the grace 101 ribbon is the best combination for the SM7B...

[heyheymymy]

There is no "best". That's a subjective term. One might prefer the DAV, another the UA, and another the Grace. From what I've read, they've all got enough gain to get you up and running with the SM7b.

[assassino]

Yeah ok that's true, but the problem is that i can't test it anywhere in Holland, only the UA 610.

[scrubs]

AEA TRP is worth a look.

[heyheymymy]

Originally Posted by assassino

Yeah ok that's true, but the problem is that i can't test it anywhere in Holland, only the UA 610.

What I would do, if I were you, is read up about the individual characteristics of each of these preamps. Pick the one that sounds like it will provide the sound most akin to what you're looking for. Hell, if you can swing it, pick two, test them out, and send one back.

[assassino]

maybe this helps with the choice:

Record sound with my bad mixer (I am the rapper)
Snippit.mp3

[heisleyamor]

i hear the API 512c or GR are both great matched up with SM7b...I have an SM7b and I love it...I'm going to be getting the API 512c when I have enough money for it...but do a search on a preamp for sm7b ... there are tons of threads

[assassino]

yeah I know, there are so many treads but none has an example with the grace 101 and SM7 combination.

[manthe]

Originally Posted by assassino

So the grace 101 ribbon is the best combination for the SM7B...

The grace ribbon adds a lot of high freq coloration to try to make up for typical ribbon darkness. Consider that when considering the Grace.

When I use my ribbon mics I use the following with great success:

UA LA-610
Trident 4T
Valley People Transamp LZ
Symetrix 528E
GT Brick (IF I'll be using a compressor so that I can use the makeup gain!)

They all work just fine and each (except maybe the Symetrix) has its own 'character'/vibe chosen on a situational basis.

[assassino]

How it will sound with a Great River MP-1NV?

[johnmarkpainter]

The SM7/Great River is an excellent choice for Rock vocals, Electric and Acoustic GTR, Drums etc....

jmp

[insomnio]

API. Nothing else.

[assassino]

I am recording hiphop music. You mean the API 512c?

[Kiwiburger]

If you can spring for an API A2D, you get two channels of API 3124, with superior A/D conversion and great meters. Use this with your s/pdif inputs, and use the A2D as your master clock. You will be stunned. The EMU inputs will become your second best for when you need to mic a drumkit or whatever.

[assassino]

the API 3124 is to expensive for me, my budget is max. 1000 dollar. Rather not more than 700 dollar...

[assassino]

what about the Joe Meek One Q??

[Amorican]

Originally Posted by assassino

the API 3124 is to expensive for me, my budget is max. 1000 dollar. Rather not more than 700 dollar...

Wait, save the $$ and go for the API A2D!! I've used an sm7 for years and its never sounded better thru the API. 2 AMAZING pres and digital conversion. Driving the pre's is just the best sound. There's one on ebay right now.
I also have a LA610 and the sm7 sounds great as well. You just need to cut some of the high end or use a desser.

[assassino]

API A2D is even to expansive for me, what about the Joemeek oneQ?

[Tom Hakala]

If a single channel is enough for you then Great River

[assassino]

yes I only need one channel but if I wil ship the great river to Holland it's about 1300 dollar or maybe more and in Europe the Great River is about 1250 EURO.

[Tom Hakala]

i think you can have it for 1000€ from Bo (www.goldenagemusic.se)

[buzzjoe]

Originally Posted by assassino

yes I only need one channel but if I wil ship the great river to Holland it's about 1300 dollar or maybe more and in Europe the Great River is about 1250 EURO.

Check out Golden Age Audio in Sweden (GR: 826 € + VAT + Shipping; all in all about 1000 €).

[assassino]

I can't find it on the site, do you have a direct link?

[Tom Hakala]

there's a price list http://www.goldenagemusic.se/pdf/PROprice.pdf

there you go!

[assassino]

you're the man thanks. I here great things about the Great River and this one is better than all the other preamps that a wrote at the top of the topic...?

[kenny_popper]

Originally Posted by assassino

How it will sound with a Great River MP-1NV?

This not a great example, but at the end of this Audio Christmas card my wife + I gave a little voice over. Scroll down to kenny popper.

SM7b > Great River MP-2NV > Apogee Rosetta

Best,

kENNy

piano plugin vs. hardware ???