Does the Shure SM7B Actually Need a Cloudlifter in 2026?

If you have ever Googled 'How to set up a Shure SM7B,' you have undoubtedly been told that you must buy a Cloudlifter CL-1.

For years, this was absolute gospel. The SM7B is a legendary microphone, but it has a notoriously weak output signal (-59 dBV/Pa). To get a usable volume level, it requires about 60 decibels (dB) of clean gain.

Most entry-level audio interfaces from 2015 to 2022 only provided about 50dB to 55dB of gain. If you turned the dial all the way up to 100%, you introduced a horrible, static 'hiss' into the background of your recording (a high noise floor).

The Cloudlifter solved this by sitting inline and providing +25dB of clean gain before the signal hit the interface. But it costs $149—a frustrating 'tax' on an already expensive $399 microphone.

The Game Has Changed

In the last two years, audio interface manufacturers finally woke up to the fact that everyone is using SM7Bs, and they upgraded their hardware accordingly.

You NO LONGER need a Cloudlifter if you own one of these modern interfaces:

• Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen (2i2 or 4i4): Upgraded to an incredible 69dB of gain.
• RodeCaster Pro II or RodeCaster Duo: Designed specifically for broadcast mics, featuring 76dB of ultra-low noise gain.
• Vocaster One / Two: 70dB of gain.
• Universal Audio Volt: 55dB of gain, but with a highly optimized noise floor that allows you to push it to 100% cleanly.

When Do You Still Need a Cloudlifter?

You only need to spend the $149 on a Cloudlifter if you are stuck using legacy gear. If you own a Focusrite Scarlett 3rd Gen, a basic PreSonus AudioBox, a Zoom PodTrak, or a cheap Behringer interface, the preamps are simply too weak.

In those scenarios, buying a Cloudlifter is still the only way to get a professional, hiss-free signal out of the SM7B.

But if you are building a setup from scratch today? Skip the Cloudlifter, buy a modern 4th Gen interface, and put that $150 toward a high-quality boom arm.

• Audio

  Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB Audio Interface

  Focusrite

  A simple, reliable 2-channel USB audio interface that connects your XLR microphone to your computer.

  Best For: Solo podcasters who need a reliable, idiot-proof way to connect an XLR mic to their Mac or PC.

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