Hiss on new studio setup

[mycherec]

I would appreciate any help trying to figure out what is going on with my new studio. I do voice over work for audio books and e-learning solutions, so need clean, single-track audio of just my voice, which means I can get by with a fairly simple setup. I recently have had to replace my entire recording chain and so am really starting over.

Every single recording I make contains electronic "hiss."

I'm using an SM7B running through a Cloudlifter CL-1 into a Mackie Onyx Blackjack. Gain on the Blackjack is set around -40db, recording into Audition CC2018 on a MacBook Pro OSX 10.13.1.

The SM7B is by nature a very low-power mic, so once the audio is in Audition I have to adjust it which results in the very clear "hiss" running throughout the recording. Using Noise Reduction removes the hiss in more quiet areas but is still discernible in areas with voice. Additionally, the vocal quality is suffering once the hiss has been removed, sounding over processed.

Any suggestions?

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

mycherec  wrote

Any suggestions?

Well, initially yes... have you tried this without adding 25dB of gain before the mic preamp proper? In other words, without the Cloudlifter? With the best will in the world, adding 25dB of gain before any mic preamp is going to add hiss, as you're adding the inevitable noise figure associated with that gain to the preamp's inherent noise, and inevitably increasing the overall figure whilst retaining the same signal level. You may well find that simply connecting the SM7B to the Onyx and turning the gain up gives you a potentially lower level, but less hissy, result.

[mycherec]

Unfortunately there is no difference once levels are adjusted.

I've tried different cables, with and without the MacBook being connected to power, with and without the Cloudlifter...even attempted to record in an untreated closet surrounded by clothes just to try to remove the room from the equation.

I unplugged the mic and recorded about 10 seconds of audio in Audition, but once adjusted the hiss was still present.

I'm beginning to suspect the adapter.

[ryclark]

As you said the SM7B is a low output mic intended for close working for speech. How close are you when you are speaking into the mic? With this mic you really need to within an inch or two of the front end of it. Just as a check you are speaking into the end of it not the side by any chance?

[mycherec]

I'm 1"- 2" off the end of the mic. The mic is aimed at my nose to reduce occasional mouth noise, so I'm addressing it on end but slightly off axis.