Voice Capture: Getting your priorities straight (Shure SM7B mic test)

[Zazquatch1]

I just bought one SHURE SM 7B - now I can sound like you xD

[amaurythewarrior]

lol that was stupid, but that really made me laugh ^^

[carlwelden]

@amaurythewarrior Stupid or not, thanks for laughing...I was going for funny.

[amaurythewarrior]

@carlwelden yeah i noticed that, but that was quite unexpected

[Dave95659]

How is the ART Voice Channel with the stock tubes that it comes with?

Which Telefunken 12AX7a tube did you install, and was it Smooth Plate or a Ribbed Plate tube?

Is there a specific place that you would recommend to buy this tube from?

Thanks again!

[carlwelden]

@Dave95659 As I'm not about to pull it out of the rack and open it up to investigate, what I can tell you is its a Telefunken made for Fisher (w/diamond logo underneath) I got it pre-loaded that way, so I can't offer you an A/B comparison vs. the factory tube or what the previous owner's tube source was...just that it was pricy.

[Dave95659]

@carlwelden Thanks again for the info!

[Dave95659]

I own 2 SM7B's that I have been looking to hook up to a computer for live use.

Can the ART VoiceChannel be used for Live use, or only recording use for play back later?

Also I was wondering, does the ART VoiceChannel preamp come with the Telefunken tube?

[carlwelden]

@Dave95659 SM7B mics have -59db output, which the sound card on a computer can't provide enough gain for. The ART VoiceChannel has a lot of connectivity to offer for hooking up to almost any sort of configuration: XLR, 1/4" TRS, optical, S/PDIF, USB, ADAT so you've got your choice of digital or analog connectivity to go into a computer. Normally comes with a factory tube but mine has a Telefunken tube swapped out for the original. For both SM7B's see the two-channel version: ART Pro MPA II

[Dave95659]

@carlwelden Thanks!

For this video that you posted, which output from the ART did you use to connect to the computer?

I took a look at the ART Pro MPA II, and noticed that it did not have the USB out, as well as it looked to have less features overall. While I am strapped for cash, I would prefer to have 1 mic

wired for best quality vs. 2 mic's wired but lower quality sound coming out, but thanks for the suggestion!

Which software do you use for recording/live sound?

[carlwelden]

@Dave95659 Audio feed came through the USB, no drivers required, just plug-n-play.

I suggested the other unit only to accommodate two mics, but yeah, it lacks the connectivity options.

I use Steinberg's WaveLab a lot, but try out NCH WavePad for free. It does a lot and is much more versatile than other freebies like Audacity.

[JetSetLifeLove]

I WISH I WAS AS COOL AS CARL!

[carlwelden]

@JetSetLifeLove Your flattery will get you anywhere.