Is BR1600 capable of providing 60+dB of Gain?

[Super 8]

Currently considering a Shure SM7B mic for use with my BR1600 but decided to do some further research on it before dropping the dosh. I'm unsure now as, reading the Shure blurb, it states: 'Being a dynamic microphone, it is very important that you use a pre amp that is capable of providing 60+db of gain.  This will be sure to give you the optimum performance of this microphone'.

So, my question is ... yep, you guessed it: Are the built-in preamps in the BR1600 up to the job? (If not then the extra cost of a decent (read expensive!) preamp to power it probably puts this mic out of my reach as, if I go for it, I'm already over budget as it is on the cost of just the mic alone here in the UK!)

[Flash Harry]

Art do a really nice, relatively inexpensive pre-amp, which will provide the gain you're after.
 60dB is heading down to noise floor level of some equipment and a properly designed mic pre-amp will pay dividends.

[SteveB]

+1 to what Flash says. 

Here's something from a few years back which, while not exactly on topic, is I'm sure worth a read. And where's Frank got to??

https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=12859.msg172309#msg172309

[Super 8]

Art do a really nice, relatively inexpensive pre-amp, which will prove the gain you're after.
 60dB is heading down to noise floor level of some equipment and a properly designed mic pre-amp will pay dividends.

Cool, thanks Folks! So, just to confirm, the BR1600 preamps alone won't cut it? I'm gonna need a preamp of sorts right?? I'm currently mid-reading up on these little inline thingies (namely: 'FetHead' & 'Cloudlifter') that provide a +20dB boost to low level mic signals. You have to phantom power them but they are especially made for use with dynamic & ribbon mics. Along with preamp suggestions ... anybody out there got any experience re: such inline booster thingies too? (Apologies if I'm a little late to the party here!)

[Flash Harry]

Two main types of mic, dynamic and condenser. Dynamic use diaphragms and coils to produce the signal, condensers use diaphragms and static plates. Dynamics don't need phantom power, condensers do. Dynamics have lower impedances, condensers have higher impedances.

An extra 20dB of gain can be useful particularly if the front end is noisy.

If you're looking at the Shure SM7b have a look.at some of the condenser mics out there too.
The Rode NT1a, NT1000 or NT2 are very good studio mics, SE electronics do some nice models too. I have the NT1a which sounds quite wonderful and at sub £130 is far better than the price would suggest.

[AndyR]

I use the following with my BR1600 and no outboard pre-amps:

Dynamic: Shure SM57 and SM58

Condensor: Rode NT1000 and NT1a

Every now and then I get moments of panic (eg I did while reading Flash Harry's first reply above yesterday) then I worry - "OMIGOD!!! AM I DOING IT WRONG?!?!!? DO I NEED A MIC PREAMP?"

My gut feeling is no... but when I looked up SM7B, it looked like a different beast to what I use, so I didn't feel qualified to reply...

[Super 8]

My gut feeling is no... but when I looked up SM7B, it looked like a different beast to what I use, so I didn't feel qualified to reply...

No direct experience this end either AndyR, I am purely going on what I have read. What have I read? Well, amongst other things ...

A) This particular mic in question (namely the Shure SM7B) is extremely low level and needs +60dB of gain in order for it to be able to 'fire on all cylinders' (technical spheak! Incidentally, I'm still hoping that someone on here can chip in to answer my earlier question as to whether the built-in pres in the BR1600 are powerful enough to handle such a mic. Can the BR1600 pre's provide +60dB?)

B) Erm, this mic model was Michael Jackson's 'go to' vocal mic apparently!

'Don't blame it on the sunshine. Don't blame it on the moonlight. Don't blame it on the good times. BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE!!!'

 

[Flash Harry]

Looking at the specs of the BR1600, it's expecting -40dB for the mics. So if you were to use the SM7B you would need an extra 20dB of front end gain which would suggest that you need a pre-amp.

The SM7B would be very low level if used without a pre-amp.

[Super 8]

Looking at the specs of the BR1600, it's expecting -40dB for the mics. So if you were to use the SM7B you would need an extra 20dB of front end gain which would suggest that you need a pre-amp.

The SM7B would be very low level if used without a pre-amp.

OK, thanks for clearing that up Flash as the technical side of things really isn't my forte. CHEERS!

I've been looking at a couple of these Art preamps you speak of (the cheaper ones!) There's a 'bog standard/no frills' black one (from the looks of it at least!) that provides phantom power and that required dB boost then there's the next one up from the looks of it that's blue and has a built-in valve with presets for different audio inputs (which comes in at just under 100 bucks). That said, the sky's the limit really as some of the preamps that the gear forums are recommending as 'the perfect match' for this particular mic are considerably more expensive than the actual mic itself! (My head hurts!!!)   

[Blooby]

I, too, have been eyeing this mic for about two years, but I haven't been able to pull the trigger. A couple used ones showed up, but they were parking lot deals, so I passed.

I would also push for a decent preamp. I'm very happy with my Presonus Eureka (used for about $150). You can alos look into a Coudlifter, but I would go for a preamp before that just for versatility's sake. In fact, I would get the preamp and play with that for a bit. It may slake your thirst for the mic (at least for a bit).

Looking forward to your feedback on it if you take the plunge.

Blooby