Great video! Thanks for showing your process! As an SM7B owner for many years, I can attest that if you record vocals in a well treated space (like a vocal booth , not just a reflexion filter), you won't have to work so hard taming all these room mode resonance nasties! In fact, the recording comes out super clean and sounds great. All you do next is add compression and then some light EQ and it sounds amazing! The SM7B may have greater rejection than condensor mics , but it still needs to be used in a well treated room to sound optimal. Oh, also, it should be fed into a high quality preamp to sound its best. I definitely wouldn't use an interface pre or a cheap pre.
I thought for a long time I was using way too much processing for sm7b vocals, now I realize it is completely necessary and I’m not crazy, just had to make better decisions, thanks a lot you legend!!
Good job 👏🏾 , SM7B can be hard to blend if it wasn’t the natural fit. Hence, that was a lot of processing. I’ve done some different things to deal with this issue (for this mic and other non-ideal mic captures). 1. Processing the vocal tracks through batch processing (like RX or re-print the files through a master bus). I tend to use a dedicated vocal tracking session for putting down and cleaning vocals. Usually we’re tracking multiple vocals with the same mic for most sessions too. Warts and all. Usually my goal for batch processing would be tonal. I’ve often sent batch vocals through an SSL or Neve channel strip for tone shaping. Even some added de-essing. The result is a more balanced source and all tracks done with that mic can benefit from the batch processing. You could also do this for corrective treatment - soothe, dyn eq, etc. but I find those processors have a “sound” that’s a little sterilizing- I tend to start grabbing the mix knob. They’re unpredictable and I’d rather hear them in action than through blind, batch processing results. 2. Splicing the lead vocal into multiple tracks based on the tonal issues (honky, harsh, muddy, even, etc) and apply basic eq moves to tame those parts. Should result in a “more even” vocal sound and the tonal “solutions” for one problem don’t have to create new problems for everything else. Those are just some things I’ve had experience with. My biggest issue with all of the serial eq & compression processing is how one solution can create new problems. This process you demonstrated is sometimes difficult to replicate because of the integrated variables. I’ve tried it but it never was my preference. Maybe I’ll make a vid about some of these options I wrote tho! Usually I try and avoid these issues altogether with mic choice, room acoustics, mic & pop filter proximity, good monitoring and input processing (EQ, etc.). But everything is not always ideal which is one point of your vid. Thanks for pulling out the theory and purpose of your moves. Reminded me of Young Guru’s process. It was also cool to see Fresh Air in action too. Enjoy your vacation!
The first thing I thought of when I heard 4:31 solo was "there has to be some way to use this in the production as its own instrument" It's like a cute little triangle wave version of the melody.
You haven't convinced me not to buy it. If anything you got the idea out of my head that the mic itself will give me the results I want as much as knowledge and hard work will. I have a shit ton of mics already, I think the sm7b will get used a lot, not just on vocals, but on guitar cabs, and especially bass cabs, but vocals as well. This shows me it's capable of very good results. You earned a subscription, good sir. Love your content!
Thank you for the amazing tutorial. And most importantly - ENJOY YOUR VACATION!!! You both work so hard, it's well deserved. Have a good time & come back safely 💕
Great tutorial man. Super practical as this is my main vocal mic. Question for you: did you record your vocals with all of switches flat? Do you have an opinion on using the low cut or upper mid range boost?
I always wonder this too with these videos. It does sound a lot cleaner than I know myself when flat I think it has one or both switches on but I could be wrong
Awesome! Thanks a lot!! Just two more questions: - What would you say is the ideal distance from the SM7B when recording? - And did you do any pre-processing on this? Like volume automation? Thanks again! Your videos are so helpful!:)
It really depends. What’s your interface? Are the preamps good? And are you doing any podcast or whispers? Also a great alternative to the CL1, is any boost like the SE dynamite. Half the price and imo better. Have no clue why the CL-1 is so popular.
@@dashymere never used that interface so I don’t know how the interface may react. My old Scarlett solo could only do metal screams and yells. My audient one can get a good signal whilst singing and talking, but has issues with whispers. Good way to test is plug your mic in, and turns your preamp gain all the way up. If there’s no hiss or audible noise that means you have clean gain, most pres so have a point where they stop their clean gain and develop hiss, usually near maxed out.
Everytime I get an sm7b recording to mix I know I’m gonna be in for a ride! Especially is it’s a low voice, that boxy low end will make you want to rip your hair out
Wow I’m surprised to see another person that mixes basically the same way I do lol so many want this “raw” sound without effect but they don’t understand how much eq and compression you need to give that “raw” sound
Mixing the mud out of this mic makes me want to pull my hair out. It does a great job of adding that warmth/smoothness back into my higher ranged voice that I couldn’t get with condensers, but man, those boxier mids are such a pain to get under control. I feel like I can never get the same consistent mix everytime out of this mic.
I‘m thinking about buying a sm7b. I read on the internet that you may need an extra Pre amp for the gain, additionally to the audio interface. What are your experiences? Is it really necessary?
I LOVE your vids! Quick question, I heard when recording you should record in -18db to have the best room for mixing and not clipping but not being too quiet. I bought your pop drum pack and when brought to the daw it hits +5db, do I just turn the kick down till it’s hitting -18 db? Same with my synths, some are very loud from the get go! Thanks 🙏🏻
For recording, you want to make sure you’re not clipping or overloading preamps. Once you’re in your DAW, clipping on individual channels doesn’t matter as long as the master output from your DAW isn’t clipping. One thing to keep in mind though is that input gain can make a difference on analog modeled plugins, but normally they have an input trimmer so I just use that to not drive the plugin so hard.
using reason 12 daw with apollo x6 sm7B and the dynamite booster my question is what are using thru UAD to get the what goes in comes out volume wise in my recordings? am i using unison, or adding a pre amp to the inserts? Having a hell of a time figuring out what works best including in and out volume in the recording daw after uad. without me having to raise the volume so much after. pre amp recommendations? and a chain you like? love your stuff knowledge and channel. New to this mic for sure.
I’m wondering if you could make a video about a home recording setup for beginners around 1000 euro’s... (not the DAW or pc included in budget) so only the recommended gear.
A mic preamp would help with any noise! If you have an audio interface that has enough power for the sm7b you might not need a mic pre. But, some audio interfaces need a mic pre for the sm7b. Cheers.
Austin, love this video and your channel as a whole. I am curious to the actual setup you had for the source audio on this mic and recording. What is the EQ on the actual mic set as? Flat? Hi-Pass? etc. Also, distance from microphone, what was used to raise the gain of the mic, setup of pop filter (all the nitty gritty details.) Keep up the great content, hope you see this comment and could shed some light on my questions! Thanks.
I learned vocal mixing using condensors.. then got this mic. I've been struggling to get that crisp shiny sound that most songs have now. Then i find this video! haven't watched yet so i'm praying it works!!! i'll comment later after trying out the tips!
@@timuryesa honestly for singing and for podcasts its beautiful. But you NEED a powerful enough interface for It to really shine. For rap vocals or things that need that crisp condensor sound its not too good. Its a very warm mic. Lots of natural low end. BUT its a beast with the right EQing
@@hipethenomad i really want that crisp sound... do you think you can achieve it with the right mixing? Cause this mic gives me feels, I can hold it even in my hand while recording in my bedroom. its a beast...but i definetly need to test it. Also my acoustics are not that good, and people told me it would be good for bad acoustics in a room.
Great stuff, but I'm difficulty hearing the EQ moves among all the ambience FX. Do EQ with all that delay and reverb on? Can you actually hear the nuance with all that going on?
It's pretty much the same process. Tame the areas that budget mics seem to under deliver on (normally with budget condensers it's all about taming high mids and sibilance), and some tube saturation for the low mids can really add a ton of dimension to budget mics!
nice! but have you ever received feedback from clients about they don't realize their voice through processing like this? I mean voice sounds nice with music but not natural
Great video! Thanks for showing your process! As an SM7B owner for many years, I can attest that if you record vocals in a well treated space (like a vocal booth , not just a reflexion filter), you won't have to work so hard taming all these room mode resonance nasties! In fact, the recording comes out super clean and sounds great. All you do next is add compression and then some light EQ and it sounds amazing! The SM7B may have greater rejection than condensor mics , but it still needs to be used in a well treated room to sound optimal. Oh, also, it should be fed into a high quality preamp to sound its best. I definitely wouldn't use an interface pre or a cheap pre.
I thought for a long time I was using way too much processing for sm7b vocals, now I realize it is completely necessary and I’m not crazy, just had to make better decisions, thanks a lot you legend!!
Austin, perhaps you wanna do and updated version of your reverb and delays? What really makes these vocals fit into the song is def the efx !
I second this!
Even without effects I love the natural sound of the Shure, very subjective of course but one of my favs. Thanks for the dope vids man!
Its good, but the high end is not very good
This is PRECISELY what I've needed FOR YEARS. Thank you. Your tutorials are my new favorite binge. ❤️
this is the correct modern approach! very much like the illangelo style :) fair play to the transparency
Oh Austin you are a God! Ive been recording vocals with the sm7b for years and have always had issues mixing it. Thankyou so much for this!
Glad I could help!
@@MakePopMusicwhat does the kHz gain now exactly, mean witch frequencies are you boosting with it
Good job 👏🏾 , SM7B can be hard to blend if it wasn’t the natural fit.
Hence, that was a lot of processing. I’ve done some different things to deal with this issue (for this mic and other non-ideal mic captures).
1. Processing the vocal tracks through batch processing (like RX or re-print the files through a master bus). I tend to use a dedicated vocal tracking session for putting down and cleaning vocals. Usually we’re tracking multiple vocals with the same mic for most sessions too. Warts and all. Usually my goal for batch processing would be tonal. I’ve often sent batch vocals through an SSL or Neve channel strip for tone shaping. Even some added de-essing. The result is a more balanced source and all tracks done with that mic can benefit from the batch processing. You could also do this for corrective treatment - soothe, dyn eq, etc. but I find those processors have a “sound” that’s a little sterilizing- I tend to start grabbing the mix knob. They’re unpredictable and I’d rather hear them in action than through blind, batch processing results.
2. Splicing the lead vocal into multiple tracks based on the tonal issues (honky, harsh, muddy, even, etc) and apply basic eq moves to tame those parts. Should result in a “more even” vocal sound and the tonal “solutions” for one problem don’t have to create new problems for everything else.
Those are just some things I’ve had experience with. My biggest issue with all of the serial eq & compression processing is how one solution can create new problems. This process you demonstrated is sometimes difficult to replicate because of the integrated variables. I’ve tried it but it never was my preference. Maybe I’ll make a vid about some of these options I wrote tho!
Usually I try and avoid these issues altogether with mic choice, room acoustics, mic & pop filter proximity, good monitoring and input processing (EQ, etc.). But everything is not always ideal which is one point of your vid. Thanks for pulling out the theory and purpose of your moves. Reminded me of Young Guru’s process. It was also cool to see Fresh Air in action too. Enjoy your vacation!
You gave some awesome things to try; thanks so much for going into so much detail with your process! Definitely going to try these now!
So can we use SM7B or no? It's the best for untreated rooms, is it not?
the mic is a legend, of course you can, just make the vocals sit in the mix and sound good to save time before actually tracking . @@arslanjani1105
The first thing I thought of when I heard 4:31 solo was "there has to be some way to use this in the production as its own instrument" It's like a cute little triangle wave version of the melody.
Just Ran Nectar on the SM7B and all your cuts came up solid! Thanks Austin your doing great work!
You haven't convinced me not to buy it. If anything you got the idea out of my head that the mic itself will give me the results I want as much as knowledge and hard work will. I have a shit ton of mics already, I think the sm7b will get used a lot, not just on vocals, but on guitar cabs, and especially bass cabs, but vocals as well. This shows me it's capable of very good results. You earned a subscription, good sir. Love your content!
Update: I am beyond grateful for this video!!! Made the mic sound absolutely wonderful ♥️♥️♥️ thank you!!
Thank you for the amazing tutorial. And most importantly - ENJOY YOUR VACATION!!! You both work so hard, it's well deserved. Have a good time & come back safely 💕
Great tutorial man. Super practical as this is my main vocal mic. Question for you: did you record your vocals with all of switches flat? Do you have an opinion on using the low cut or upper mid range boost?
I always wonder this too with these videos. It does sound a lot cleaner than I know myself when flat I think it has one or both switches on but I could be wrong
This video is hyper specific to what I was planning on doing this weekend! Thanks Austin
As always. Great Production.
This was great! Despite the different genre, this definitely helped with even my rock vocal mix. Thanks very much!
Awesome! Thanks a lot!! Just two more questions:
- What would you say is the ideal distance from the SM7B when recording?
- And did you do any pre-processing on this? Like volume automation?
Thanks again! Your videos are so helpful!:)
3 finger
3 finger
3 finger
Shure themselves in their video recommend the distance of two inches.
What pre amp or interface did he used? Or cloudlifter?
5:21 this video actually helps a lot thank you!
You got that sm7b sounding nice!!
Please make this a series 💜💜
Do an sm58 for us broke musicians 💜💜💜🥺🤲
It's literally the exact same processing :D
@@MakePopMusic sm7b and sm58 are built with very similar parts so the processing shouldn't be very different!
Dude this is just what I needed
Hi Griffin!
Hoyl!that before and after👏
Also great tutorial especially with that everyones mic
literally just got my SM7b yesterday, perfect video - did you need to buy a cloud lifter CL-1 to increase the input volume?
I use one with an apollo twin. Actually no need for a cloudlifter
It really depends. What’s your interface? Are the preamps good? And are you doing any podcast or whispers?
Also a great alternative to the CL1, is any boost like the SE dynamite. Half the price and imo better. Have no clue why the CL-1 is so popular.
@@jeremiahculver2776 I've got UAD MkII Twin
@@dashymere never used that interface so I don’t know how the interface may react. My old Scarlett solo could only do metal screams and yells. My audient one can get a good signal whilst singing and talking, but has issues with whispers.
Good way to test is plug your mic in, and turns your preamp gain all the way up. If there’s no hiss or audible noise that means you have clean gain, most pres so have a point where they stop their clean gain and develop hiss, usually near maxed out.
Thank you for this video 😊👍🏻 But why dynamic EQ or rather what is the source for the dynamic EQ?
Thanks you this video ! Did you directly put your SM7B into you interface or did you use a externe preamp ?
I just got mine yesterday :D Great Timing
This is the best UA-cam video ever made🙏🏻 No doubt
Everytime I get an sm7b recording to mix I know I’m gonna be in for a ride! Especially is it’s a low voice, that boxy low end will make you want to rip your hair out
this man is gem
crazy skill..... Love your work.
I own a Pode Procaster and this has been of a huge help to mix it!
Wow I’m surprised to see another person that mixes basically the same way I do lol so many want this “raw” sound without effect but they don’t understand how much eq and compression you need to give that “raw” sound
is this song out austin? Or can you show us a song where an sm7b song was used for all vocals?
I love this channel so much!
Mixing the mud out of this mic makes me want to pull my hair out. It does a great job of adding that warmth/smoothness back into my higher ranged voice that I couldn’t get with condensers, but man, those boxier mids are such a pain to get under control. I feel like I can never get the same consistent mix everytime out of this mic.
I got the same problem but the Mic Mod plugin from Antares is a game changer
@@mnknoplanb which mod do you use?
great vid as always, thank you austin
You’re AMAZING
I‘m thinking about buying a sm7b. I read on the internet that you may need an extra Pre amp for the gain, additionally to the audio interface. What are your experiences? Is it really necessary?
Have a nice vacation!
I LOVE your vids! Quick question, I heard when recording you should record in -18db to have the best room for mixing and not clipping but not being too quiet. I bought your pop drum pack and when brought to the daw it hits +5db, do I just turn the kick down till it’s hitting -18 db? Same with my synths, some are very loud from the get go! Thanks 🙏🏻
For recording, you want to make sure you’re not clipping or overloading preamps.
Once you’re in your DAW, clipping on individual channels doesn’t matter as long as the master output from your DAW isn’t clipping. One thing to keep in mind though is that input gain can make a difference on analog modeled plugins, but normally they have an input trimmer so I just use that to not drive the plugin so hard.
@@MakePopMusic ahhh thank you so much !
BRUH! SOUNDS LIKE THE WEEKND! JEEEEEEZ!
thank you! i'm definitely going to make use of some of these
Thank you so much for this one, you're the best
using reason 12 daw with apollo x6 sm7B and the dynamite booster my question is what are using thru UAD to get the what goes in comes out volume wise in my recordings? am i using unison, or adding a pre amp to the inserts? Having a hell of a time figuring out what works best including in and out volume in the recording daw after uad. without me having to raise the volume so much after. pre amp recommendations? and a chain you like? love your stuff knowledge and channel. New to this mic for sure.
hey man, would u prefer the Neuman tlm 102 on vocals?
Thanks for the video, appreciate it. It's a weird chain but it sounds good. I think there´s a much easier way getting to the same result
What was your chain coming in Austin? My sm7b directly in to my apollo twin x has a good amount of ambiance sound. Yours sounds much quieter...
very useful thanks!!
Are you gain staging after those deep EQ cuts/after each plug-in?
loved it ! thank you
Damn, nice tutorial 🔥
Been waiting for this one!!
Love Austin ❤️👍
Sick! I just got this mic!
Nice video. This is exactly where I’m at right now
I’m wondering if you could make a video about a home recording setup for beginners around 1000 euro’s... (not the DAW or pc included in budget) so only the recommended gear.
Great video! How did you get the dynamics of your voice so smooth before any processing?
Hardware compressor
You're getting a super tight sound with that mic. What is your mic pre/gain setting for this? I Don't own a 7b but considering it.
Dang! So the our SM7b can sound like a condenser! Thanks for this!
Preamp and interface used??
Which app do you use in your computer for this??🤷🏼♀️
He uses Cubase
@@VICKERY- thanks you dear🥺
What's your set up like for your mic?
awesome video man!
Would you eq like this if it was a rock vocal
Are all these plugins in cubase or are extra u added?
Can you elaborate on how you recorded the SM7B? What was mic distance, are any of the filters switched? With or without the popshield? Thanks!
8-10 inches away, pop filter AND the windscreen on, no filters on
firstly, that shirt is dope! Also, appreciate the video!
awesome!
Why don't you use Oversampling on Fabfilter Pro MB?
Hey, love this video. However, I am curious as to if you got any considerable noise floor whilst recording and if so how did you minimise it? Thanks!
A mic preamp would help with any noise! If you have an audio interface that has enough power for the sm7b you might not need a mic pre. But, some audio interfaces need a mic pre for the sm7b. Cheers.
Thanks :)))
Austin, love this video and your channel as a whole. I am curious to the actual setup you had for the source audio on this mic and recording. What is the EQ on the actual mic set as? Flat? Hi-Pass? etc. Also, distance from microphone, what was used to raise the gain of the mic, setup of pop filter (all the nitty gritty details.) Keep up the great content, hope you see this comment and could shed some light on my questions! Thanks.
All flat and recorded about 12 inches away :D
What gain were you using?
Yeah Rode will be fun
Also, how so we make a track around a vocal??
THANK YOUUUUU
Bro you saved my life
Hey A - was that recorded with the stock pop filter - or removed and a 3rd party - and were the rear settings flat or ?
Thanks.
Built in pop and an extra pop filter
Could you do another one of the sm7b?
yo this song is great.. where can i get it bruh ?
Austin, would you maybe someday teach how to make a K-Pop song??
ty man
Pop isn't even my go to genre but I've always loved the production. You're top tier.
Can you do this with Rode NT1? I guess it is probably the most popular mic among indi musicians
or the audio technica at2020
Please
what they said
@@redautumn5441 Fr that would be great..
Can You Do "How To Mix A Shure SM58 | Make Pop Music Please?
thank you!!!
I learned vocal mixing using condensors.. then got this mic. I've been struggling to get that crisp shiny sound that most songs have now. Then i find this video! haven't watched yet so i'm praying it works!!! i'll comment later after trying out the tips!
let me know how it is brother...is it worth it to buy it?
@@timuryesa honestly for singing and for podcasts its beautiful. But you NEED a powerful enough interface for
It to really shine. For rap vocals or things that need that crisp condensor sound its not too good. Its a very warm mic. Lots of natural low end. BUT its a beast with the right EQing
@@hipethenomad i really want that crisp sound... do you think you can achieve it with the right mixing? Cause this mic gives me feels, I can hold it even in my hand while recording in my bedroom. its a beast...but i definetly need to test it. Also my acoustics are not that good, and people told me it would be good for bad acoustics in a room.
@@timuryesa man just use a in booster..and it’s great on tap when you know what you’re doing
Thank you!
Bro your EQs are something else lmao
They’re normally not. The SM7b just takes insane shit to make it sound halfway decent 😂
Which Reverb do you have on the that vocal?
Great stuff, but I'm difficulty hearing the EQ moves among all the ambience FX. Do EQ with all that delay and reverb on? Can you actually hear the nuance with all that going on?
Yeah, no point to EQ without everything that's gonna be in the full mix :D
Tryna figure out what the white noise coming out of my 7b is
whats the name of the song
Get Hardware cla bluey, compress on the way in 7-10db. 80% of the job done. cut low mid into CLA Vocals => pristine vocal
Austin could you give us some songs that were recorded with an sm7b on your spotify? Would be awesome!
Yep! REDRUM and Gone were on a SM7B! Peace Of Mind until Two Sided Mind were either Slate ML1 or Advanced Audio 251!
@@MakePopMusic thank u! Do u know the golden age projects 251? Heard nice things about it!
Could you please tell me how far away the singer's mouth was from the microphone and how was the microphone positioned in relation to the mouth?
8-10 inches
@@MakePopMusic Thanks
How did you make that rectangle type shape in the Pro Q3 in the Final EQ for finishing touches section?
Change the slope on a bell!
Would love to see you do the same on budget mics like mxl 770,akg p120,samson C01 ❤️
It's pretty much the same process. Tame the areas that budget mics seem to under deliver on (normally with budget condensers it's all about taming high mids and sibilance), and some tube saturation for the low mids can really add a ton of dimension to budget mics!
@@MakePopMusic ty so much ❤️
nice! but have you ever received feedback from clients about they don't realize their voice through processing like this? I mean voice sounds nice with music but not natural