How to Connect the Shure SM7B to Your PC: Interface, Gain and Setup

The Shure SM7B is the most common microphone in the streamer setups we’ve reviewed. It sounds great and rejects noise, but it has a catch that trips everyone up: it is very insensitive. Plug it into any input and it will sound quiet and hissy. Here’s how to connect it properly.

What you need

1. An XLR cable (male to female).
2. An audio interface or mixer with an XLR input and plenty of clean gain. The most common in streamer setups are the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and the GoXLR (Pokimane).
3. Optional: an inline preamp like the Cloudlifter CL-1, which adds about 25 dB of clean gain.
4. A boom arm. The SM7B is heavy, and the Rode PSA1 is its usual partner.

Why it needs so much gain

The SM7B is a dynamic mic with very low output. Shure recommends a high-gain preamp; in practice, a normal voice a few inches away needs around 60 dB. Many entry interfaces only reach that at maximum, and that’s where the hiss comes from.

Rule of thumb: if you have to push your interface’s gain above 80–90% for your voice to peak around -12 dB in OBS, an inline preamp will help.

Step by step

1. Connect the SM7B to the inline preamp (if used), then to input 1 on your interface.
2. Turn on 48V only if you use an inline preamp. The SM7B doesn’t need it; the Cloudlifter does.
3. Set the gain speaking at normal volume, 2–4 inches from the grille: aim for peaks around -12 to -6 dB.
4. Check the rear switches: bass roll-off cuts rumble and presence boost adds clarity. Try both and listen.
5. In OBS, add these mic filters in order: Noise Suppression (if needed), Noise Gate, Compressor and a Limiter at -1 dB.

SM7B or SM7dB

Shure released the SM7dB, the same capsule with a built-in preamp of up to +28 dB powered by phantom. If you don’t own a strong interface or preamp yet, it can be worth it; if you already have an SM7B, a Cloudlifter does the same job.

Common mistakes

• Speaking too far away. It’s a dynamic mic: at 8–12 inches you lose body and need even more gain.
• Boosting volume in OBS instead of gain. You amplify the noise too.
• Using the desk stand. It picks up keyboard knocks. Use an arm and, ideally, a shock mount.

See what else goes with the SM7B in the setups of xQc, Shroud or Tfue.

FAQ

Does the Shure SM7B need phantom power?+

No. It is a dynamic mic and does not need phantom power. You only enable 48V if you put an inline preamp like the Cloudlifter in between, because it runs on phantom.

Can I connect the SM7B via USB?+

Not directly: it is XLR only. You need a USB audio interface or a mixer. The SM7dB has a built-in preamp but is still XLR.

Is a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 enough for the SM7B?+

Yes for most voices if you speak close to the mic, although the gain will be near the top. If you hear hiss, add an inline preamp.

Some Amazon links are affiliate links: if you buy, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Sources

1. Shure: SM7B specifications and user guide
2. Shure: SM7dB (built-in preamp version)
3. Focusrite: Scarlett 2i2
4. Cloud Microphones: Cloudlifter CL-1
5. OBS Studio: audio filters

Last reviewed: November 5, 2026