Any recommendations for mic preamp (vocals into FM9)?

equivocal said:
how to route a preamp through the FM9 properly
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Connect the pre’s balanced line output to one of the FM9’s balanced inputs using a TRS cable or XLR to TRS if your mic pre only has XLR out.

equivocal said:
I should be able to run my Shure SM7B (a dynamic microphone) directly into the FM9 with an XLR to TRS cable, correct?
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You will get signal, but the 7B is a very low output dynamic mic so after digitally boosting the level with the FM9 without a mic preamp the noise floor will likely be unusably high.
 
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I believe the SM7B is low as mentioned by strabes.
Google search result on SM7B level:
"The output level of the SM7B is -59dBV/Pa. For typical speech applications, three inches from the grille, the SM7B requires at least +60 dB of gain at the microphone preamp."
Google search result on line level vs mic level:
LINE level is normally -10 dBV for consumer gear and +4 dBu for pro gear while MIC levels are normally -60 dBu for dynamic microphones and -35 dBu for condenser microphones
As you can see in the difference between mic and line level, there is a vast difference so going into a FM9, you want a mic pre-amp.

I currently have the following setup.

SM7B on Cajon > Cloud Lifter > Tascam Model 12 Mix board with phantom power on for cloud lifter > Axe FXIII Mk II Turbo (In 3 L) > Cubase 12 Pro (via Axe as audio interface over USB)

Rode NTR for vocals > Avalon 737vt sp mic preamp > Axe FXIII Mk II Turbo (In 2 L) > Cubase 12 Pro (via Axe as audio interface over USB)

Guitar > Axe FXIII Mk II Turbo (In 1 Front panel) > Cubase 12 Pro (via Axe as audio interface over USB)

Axe FXIII Mk II Turbo (Out 1 L/R - Git, Out 2 L/R Vox) > Tascam Model 12 Mix board > Studio Monitors/PA/Headphones

I get 7 channels recorded in Cubase the way I have it set up. Cajon - mono, Vox - stereo Axe processed signal on two tracks and Vox DI mono channel on another track, Git - stereo Axe processed signal on two tracks and Guitar DI signal on a mono track.

Long and short is, you want a mic pre-amp before you pump the signal into a FM9 or any other FM or FX unit IMO. And if you are using a SM7B, you may need some additional lift depending on how well your mic preamp does with a very low signal level mic.
 
Tahoebrian5 said:
I just happen to have a GAP pre73 mk2 for sale if you’re interested. $250 shipped
the cool thing about Neve style pres is you can crank up the gain and the distortion will thicken your vocals. Think FM radio DJ voice tone.
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If he isn't interested in this deal, I am.
 
Thanks for the responses, very helpful info. I see that it's also possible to create an aggregate input/output using both FM9 and audio interface simultaneously, i.e. connecting both to my macbook directly via USB. If I were to do this, how would I assign inputs into Logic? This may become clear once I have the FMi9 in hand, but if anyone has done this and knows how to properly set it up, that would be great.
 
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