best audio settings for shure sm7b -

🎛 1. Equalizer (EQ) Settings

The SM7B has a rich, warm sound, but you can enhance clarity and presence with these settings:

Low-Cut (High-Pass Filter): 80 Hz – Removes unwanted low-frequency rumble (e.g., desk bumps, air conditioning).
Low-Mids (100 – 250 Hz): Slightly reduce if your voice sounds muddy. Cut by around -2 to -4 dB if needed.
Presence Boost (3kHz – 5kHz): Slight boost of +3 to +5 dB for added clarity and brightness.
Highs (8kHz – 12kHz): Gentle boost around +2 to +3 dB for airiness, but don’t overdo it to avoid harshness.

🔥 2. Compression Settings

Compression evens out your volume levels, making your voice sound more polished and consistent.

Threshold: -20 dB to -15 dB (Adjust depending on how loud you speak)
Ratio: 3:1 to 4:1 (For natural-sounding compression)
Attack: 3 ms to 10 ms (Fast enough to catch peaks but still sound natural)
Release: 100 ms to 200 ms (Smooth out the sound without sounding choppy)
Makeup Gain: Adjust to maintain consistent volume after compression.

🔇 3. Noise Gate Settings (For Reducing Background Noise)

To eliminate room noise or unwanted sounds when you’re not speaking:

Threshold: -45 dB to -35 dB (Adjust depending on your environment’s noise level)
Attack: 1 ms (Fast for instant response)
Hold: 100 ms (Keeps the gate open briefly after you finish speaking)
Release: 150 ms (Allows a smooth fade when your voice stops)

🎚 4. Wave Link Software & OBS Integration (if applicable)

Wave Link Settings:
- Make sure Clipguard is enabled for protection against sudden peaks.
- Fine-tune your gain here if needed.
OBS Settings (if using OBS):
- Add Filters: Go to your mic input source > Filters > Add:
  - Noise Gate (Use settings from above)
  - Compressor (Use settings from above)
  - EQ (If using VST plugins, otherwise adjust Wave Link software)

💡 5. Additional Enhancements

For a podcast sound, adding a touch of De-Esser to reduce harsh ‘S’ sounds is helpful.
If you’re using this with your ATEM Mini Pro, you can adjust audio settings there or in OBS if you’re routing audio through it.

Setting all of this up in Wave Link, OBS, or your ATEM Mini Pro step-by-step:

🌊 Setting Up Wave Link (Wave XLR Software)

This is where you’ll apply the basic adjustments before passing the audio to OBS or ATEM Mini Pro.

1. Open Wave Link Software

Make sure your Wave XLR is connected and recognized by Wave Link.

2. Adjusting Gain

Set your Gain to around 50 – 60 dB (start at 50 dB and adjust if you sound too quiet or too loud).
Enable Clipguard to prevent distortion from sudden loud sounds.

3. Applying EQ (If You Have VST Plugins)

Wave Link itself doesn’t offer advanced EQ, but you can use software like Equalizer APO (Windows) or Audio Hijack (Mac) if you want to apply plugins directly to your mic input.

Otherwise, we’ll do this part in OBS or your DAW.

🎥 Setting Up OBS (If You’re Using It)

If you’re routing your mic through OBS (for streaming or recording), let’s apply the EQ, Compression, and Noise Gate here.

Adding Filters to Your Mic Input

Open OBS > Go to your Audio Mixer > Click the gear icon next to your mic (Wave XLR input) > Select Filters.
Click + and add the following filters:

🔊 Noise Gate

Close Threshold: -45 dB
Open Threshold: -35 dB
Attack Time: 1 ms
Hold Time: 100 ms
Release Time: 150 ms

🎚 Compressor

Ratio: 3:1 to 4:1
Threshold: -20 dB
Attack: 3 ms
Release: 150 ms
Output Gain: Adjust to maintain even volume levels.

🎵 VST Plugin for EQ (Optional but Recommended)

If you want detailed EQ control, use a VST Plugin like ReaEQ (from ReaPlugs VST Suite – Free). To add:

In OBS Filters, click + > VST 2.x Plugin > Give it a name.
Select the installed VST Plugin (ReaEQ, if you installed it).
Click Open Plugin Interface and apply the EQ settings I mentioned earlier:
- Low-Cut (High-Pass Filter): 80 Hz
- Reduce Low-Mids: 100 – 250 Hz, cut by -2 to -4 dB if needed.
- Boost Presence: 3kHz – 5kHz, boost by +3 to +5 dB.
- Add Airiness (Optional): 8kHz – 12kHz, boost by +2 to +3 dB.

📺 Using ATEM Mini Pro (If You’re Routing Audio Through It)

If your Shure SM7B is connected to the ATEM Mini Pro instead of Wave Link, here’s what to do:

Routing Audio from Wave XLR to ATEM Mini Pro (If Needed)

Use a 3.5mm TRS cable from the Wave XLR Line Out to the ATEM Mini Pro Mic Input.
Adjust the ATEM Audio Settings via the ATEM Control Software:
- Ensure Gain is set appropriately (should match Wave Link settings).
- Enable Audio Follow Video (AFV) if syncing with video.

🔄 Testing & Tweaking

Speak into the microphone at your normal speaking volume and listen back using headphones.
Adjust Gain, EQ, Compression, and Noise Gate settings as needed.
Record some test clips to hear how it sounds and make adjustments.

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