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Answer · from our data
Do you need a Cloudlifter for the SM7B?
The gain numbers from Shure and Focusrite, and what the creators we track pair with their SM7B.
Short answer
Often, yes. Shure recommends at least 60 dB of gain for speech with the SM7B, while many interfaces give only 40–50 dB, so an inline preamp like the Cloudlifter (Shure says these add about 25–28 dB) or an SM7dB fixes quiet, noisy recordings. Focusrite says its Scarlett 3rd Gen gives 56 dB of gain. If your interface has 60 dB or more of clean gain, you may not need one.
Gain: what the SM7B needs vs what interfaces give first-party specs
| Item | Gain | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shure SM7B, speech at ~3 in | 60 dB or more recommended | Shure |
| Many audio interfaces | 40–50 dB | Shure |
| Focusrite Scarlett 3rd Gen | 56 dB | Focusrite |
| Focusrite Clarett | 57 dB | Focusrite |
| Inline preamp (Cloudlifter, FetHead, DM1) | +25–28 dB | Shure |
| Shure SM7dB built-in preamp | +18 or +28 dB | Shure |
Creators we track who use an inline preamp 4
| Who | Type | Source date |
|---|---|---|
 Mattia Di LisioCloudlifter CL-1 | YouTuber | 2025-07-29 |
 ReysuCloudlifter CL-1 | YouTuber | 2024-12-13 |
 Matt D'AvellaCloudlifter CL-1 | YouTuber | 2018-10-08 |
 Will HallTriton FetHead | YouTuber | 2026-08-21 |
SM7B users and their listed interface 12
| Who | Interface or preamp listed | Source date |
|---|---|---|
| Reysu | Cloudlifter CL-1 | 2025-11-22 |
| Mattia Di Lisio | Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and Cloudlifter CL-1 | 2025-07-29 |
 The Joe Rogan Experience | Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (3rd Gen) | 2024-02-22 |
 Lex Fridman Podcast | — | 2024-01-23 |
 Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast | — | 2023-09-01 |
 The Diary of a CEO | — | 2022-10-18 |
| Matt D'Avella | Zoom H6 and Cloudlifter CL-1 | 2018-10-08 |
 Harry Mack | Zoom F6 | date not confirmed |
 This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von | Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (3rd Gen) | date not confirmed |
 The Mel Robbins Podcast | — | date not confirmed |
 IMPAULSIVE | — | date not confirmed |
 Emergency Intercom | RØDECaster Pro II | date not confirmed |
“—” means no interface is named in the sources we cite, not that none is used.
FAQ
| Do you need a Cloudlifter for the SM7B? | Often, yes. Shure recommends at least 60 dB of gain for speech with the SM7B, while many interfaces give only 40–50 dB, so an inline preamp like the Cloudlifter (Shure says these add about 25–28 dB) or an SM7dB fixes quiet, noisy recordings. Focusrite says its Scarlett 3rd Gen gives 56 dB of gain. If your interface has 60 dB or more of clean gain, you may not need one. |
| How much gain does a Cloudlifter add? | Shure says inline preamps such as the Cloudlifter, FetHead and DM1 add about 25–28 dB of gain. |
| Is the Scarlett enough for the SM7B? | Focusrite says the Scarlett 3rd Gen gives 56 dB of gain, a little under the 60 dB Shure recommends for speech, so a booster helps if you speak quietly or sit far from the mic. |
| Is the SM7dB a better choice than SM7B plus Cloudlifter? | The SM7dB builds in +18/+28 dB of gain, so it replaces the inline preamp; it needs 48V phantom power for that. See our SM7B vs SM7dB page. |
| Which creators use a Cloudlifter or FetHead? | Mattia Di Lisio, Reysu, Matt D'Avella and Will Hall. |
More answers: SM7B vs SM7dB · Cloudlifter for SM7B? · Podcast headphones · Roundups: Podcast microphones · Cameras · Microphones · Creator software · Desks & chairs · Podcast setups
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