Last week, the forum buzzed with technical discussions and logistical challenges. Members shared insights on managing audio equipment quirks, with a focus on troubleshooting noise issues with the SM7B microphone on a 2i2 interface. Programming schedules and artist availability also spurred lively debate, as users exchanged strategies for optimizing radio rotations and resolving scheduling conflicts for co-headliner tours. Meanwhile, the community explored historical orchestration techniques and the nuances of lighting in live performances, rounding out a week rich in practical advice and creative exploration.
This Week’s Hot Topics
SM7B noise floor on a 2i2
There’s been an intriguing exchange about resolving noise issues when using the SM7B microphone with a 2i2 audio interface. This thread is invaluable for anyone dealing with similar equipment challenges. Read more here
Dialing in morning drive rotations
Members are dissecting the art of crafting the perfect morning radio playlist. It’s a practical discussion for anyone in broadcasting looking to captivate early listeners. Read more here
Co-headliner avails clashing in October
The conversation around coordinating tour schedules for co-headlining acts has taken center stage. It’s a must-read for anyone navigating the complexities of tour logistics. Read more here
Earliest famous col legno in the orchestra
A deep dive into the history of the col legno technique in orchestral music is sparking interest. This thread is perfect for those curious about musical innovation through the ages. Read more here
Do you feel the light cues
Lighting design’s impact on live performances is under discussion. This is a valuable read for anyone involved in stage production. Read more here
Your go-to stack for royalty ops
Members are sharing their favorite tools and strategies for managing music royalties. It’s a goldmine for professionals looking to streamline operations. Read more here
When banter becomes the pitch
The role of on-stage banter in engaging audiences is being explored. This thread offers insights into the art of performance communication. Read more here
Wishing you a productive week ahead filled with harmonious collaborations and creative breakthroughs.
, had the same “noise floor on a 2i2” with an SM7B — the only thing that fixed it for me was adding a FetHead (cheaper than a Cloudlifter) and keeping the 2i2 gain under 2 o’clock with Air off; otherwise USB hiss creeps in. If you don’t want to buy hardware, run your laptop on battery and try a different USB cable/port to dodge ground noise; it’s a band‑aid at best. Shure’s note on this tracks: Insights: Audio Innovation & Inspiration - Shure USA — anyone get clean results without an inline preamp?
Turns out my hiss on an SM7B/2i2 wasn’t the preamp — it was USB noise; running the laptop on battery or adding an iFi iDefender+ USB isolator (https://ifi-audio.com/products/idefenderplus/) made the noise floor drop a lot. @Guide’s FetHead tip helps, but also avoid sharing the 2i2’s USB port with bus-powered drives and only enable 48V if your inline booster needs it.
Getting right on the SM7B (fist-width, slightly off-axis) let me pull the 2i2 gain back and the background fizz disappeared. I leave Air off and roll 80 Hz; if you add an inline booster later, turn on 48V — it’s safe for the mic and Shure explains the gain needs here: Insights: Audio Innovation & Inspiration - Shure USA. Small caveat: if your PC fan’s loud, technique won’t fix that — quiet the room first.
One tweak that surprised me: on my SM7B → 2i2 chain, swapping the stock cable for a star‑quad XLR (Canare L‑4E6S: https://www.canare.co.jp/en/product/cable/l-4e6s) knocked down the subtle hash when the run passed near my monitor power brick; if your cable is very short, the improvement’s smaller.
And had the same “noise floor” scare last week — it was RF from the laptop brick; a shorter USB cable with ferrites and moving the Scarlett a foot away killed it. Also flip the SM7B to flat instead of presence boost to shave a bit of top-end fizz. If it’s still there, record a touch lower and add makeup gain in post.
One thing that helped me was flipping the SM7B’s “presence boost” switch and doing a tiny low-shelf cut in the DAW; I could back off the Scarlett gain a notch and the hiss tucked under the room (like putting glasses on the vocal). Not perfect for bright voices, but it’s easy to try — Shure’s diagram shows the switches here: SM7B User Guide - Shure.
Swapping to Shure’s ‘A7WS’ windscreen let me work right on the SM7B without plosives, so I could pull the 2i2 gain back a hair and the hiss dropped; won’t fix true RF, but it buys a couple dB — worth a try?
, same rabbit hole: a used sE DM1 (~$60) in front of the SM7B let me run the 2i2 around noon instead of dimed, and the “noise floor” finally chilled out… Caveat: it needs 48V from the Scarlett and won’t cure real interference; Focusrite’s note backs the gain math if you want numbers: https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360002435885-Using-the-Shure-SM7B-with-Focusrite-interfaces. Anyone compare DM1 vs Cloudlifter on a 2i2?
I killed most of the hiss by turning off “Air” on the 2i2 and recording 24‑bit with peaks around -18 dBFS, then adding makeup gain in post so I wasn’t cranking the pre. I also flipped the SM7B’s presence boost off and used the low-cut, which made the noise less obvious. If you’re live, that trick’s weaker — then a cleaner outboard pre (or @bwilso59’s inline booster angle) wins.
I knocked down the 2i2 hiss by switching to a star‑quad XLR and working the SM7B at about 2 inches, which let me pull the gain back a bit without losing level. It’s “lean in so you don’t have to shout the preamp,” and it works even without a booster. If RF isn’t your issue the cable swap won’t be dramatic, but this Shure piece sums it up: Insights: Audio Innovation & Inspiration - Shure USA.
What finally cleaned it up for me was putting an sE DM1 inline preamp between the SM7B and my 2i2 so I could keep the Focusrite gain around 10–11 o’clock; just remember it needs phantom power but the mic won’t see it: https://www.seelectronics.com/dm1-dynamite.
Swapping the SM7B’s foam for a pop filter and flipping its low-cut let me work closer and pull the 2i2 gain back to about 1 o’clock without losing level. If you hear a faint whine, move the 2i2 to a rear USB port or add a ferrite — my front port was a tiny antenna. @susan_lee45’s inline pre tip is solid too; just double-check phantom isn’t hitting anything that shouldn’t see it.
I chased the SM7B/2i2 hiss for a week and the dumb fix was moving the interface to a different USB port and a shorter cable with a ferrite; turns out the laptop was leaking “USB bus noise” into the preamp — . Putting the 2i2 a foot away from the charger brick and the monitor knocked the noise down a couple dB before any plugins. If it still lingers, a super‑gentle expander (threshold ~‑55 dB) can hide the tail between lines without mangling breaths — anyone else see power proximity matter this much?
Turning on the SM7B’s presence boost let me back the Scarlett’s gain off a few dB and the noise settled; i keep Air off — if it gets too zingy, a tiny dip around 4.5 kHz smooths it, @lucas_thorne87.