SM7B for Voice Over Recordings

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digitalinnovations

Well-known member
I’m setting up for some VO recordings and I’m hoping someone can help answer some of my questions…

I just received my Shure SM7B and I’m mounting it on a Gator Frameworks boom arm and have a couple of issues…

First, I cannot freely turn the mic (left or right) once attached to the boom arm without it either unscrewing the mic or I have to leave it unscrewed a couple turns but then the mic is obviously loose and doesn’t stay put.

Second, I get a TON of handling noise anytime I touch the mic and/or adjust the arm. Like everyone, I’ve seen/ heard this mic in action many, many times and witnessed people adjusting them mid-sentence without any noise at all…so what gives? I thought it had built-in shock isolation?

Perhaps I just don’t have something set up properly but I’d appreciate any advice.
 
Some of the audio guys/gals here will provide you more assistance, but as a general note: That setup you're using is just meant to be used in place and only have minor tilts to the microphone (meaning you're not supposed to pan it and instead move your body/slide your chair).

If you wanted a different usability, you'd use an arm or mount that swivels. Or some people will remove the mic's holder and makeshift their own mount that's on a friction clamp/swivel that you could move around in any direction you'd like and it stays put.

There are different parts out there you can use together to build your best solution.
 
Get a shock mount for the mic. AFAIK the SM7's capsule is dampened somewhat, so a additional shock mount is not usually necessary. If an an excessive amount of preamp gain is applied, that would amplify handling noise as well, That particular mic is meant to to placed in very close proximity to the talent. typically a few inches or less from one's 'pie hole' (technical term for mouth).
 
I have one of these mics and the mounting offers a great way for noises to get in, despite the shock mounting internally. If you hold it in your hand you'll not find the noise from your hand that much - certainly less than things like SM58s - BUT - many angle poise style boom arms are resonant and the mic picks up the sounds transmitted from the surface they're attached to, plus a sort of reverb boost of any small bumps and bangs. Tighten up the clamps to cope with the SM7B's weight and this gets worse. The screw mount allows you to fix the mic at any rotational angle, with that double screw fixing, but it is NOT designed to rotate. This is a function of better adjustable boom arms, and the ones that isolate the mic, usually provide a friction turn that does not unscrew the mic screw. The people who constantly touch and move the mic, always have loud voices. A quiet speaker and touching the mic is bad news. If you must do that, then a condenser in an elastic mount (or an EV dynamic) could be a better choice. Youtube has us believing that good vocal capture is possible when the presenters constantly fiddle. Don't believe it!
 
Thank you all so much! Good to know I’m not crazy but also now the challenge to figure out the best setup:)

Rick R: Thank you! I’ve started messing with the gain / fade settings on my MixPre 10ii and did notice that helped with handling noise a bit. I also can appreciate the technical terminology…not everyone does but I sure do.

Paulears: Thank you for clarification on the Frameworks mount not allowing rotation and boy, you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned how tightening up the mount just makes it worse. Could you recommend one or more the better adjustable booms? I may not end up going that route but I’d like to know what options are out there that offer better isolation and rotation.

Thank you all again for your time!
 
IN UK Broadcasting, the standard seems to be the Yellowtec - they're virtually silent but are really expensive. The arms that have no springs are all vey much the same - and pretty silent, just making the occasional squeak when you go up and down. The Rotation thing is more difficult - although there is a good trick with the SM7B. Find a nice thin 5/8th nut and put it between the shure knurled ring and the other end - in that gap. You then back off the thread half a turn and do up the new nut to lock the black knurled piece to the locknut. The mic will then rotate quite nicely. sm7b.jpg
 
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