Rode AI-1 & Shure SM7B | Complete Setup Guide & Review

Let’s take a look at setting up the Rode AI-1 Audio Interface with the Shure SM7B microphone. Now, if you’re in the market for a high-quality audio setup, this is definitely one to consider.

Rode AI-1 Audio Interface

The Rode AI-1 is sleek and stylish, with a black design that looks great on any desk. But more importantly, it’s packed with features that make it an excellent choice for recording audio.

One of the standout features is the preamp, which provides a clean and transparent signal for your microphone. This is important because it ensures your recordings sound as clear and accurate as possible. The AI-1 also includes a 48V phantom power supply, which is necessary for condenser microphones or inline microphone preamps.

Included with the Rode AI-1, you get:

• USB C to A Cable
• USB C Cable

Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone

The Shure SM7B microphone is a beast, and it’s often used in professional recording studios for a reason. It’s a dynamic microphone perfect for recording vocals and other sources that require a high level of clarity and detail.

The microphone has a smooth and natural frequency response, and it’s designed to reject background noise and other unwanted sounds.

Included with the Shure SM7B, you get:

• Two Different Windscreens
• Mic Stand Adapter (⅜” to ⅝”)

Mic Stand / Boom Arm

Since the Shure SM7B doesn’t come with a microphone stand, you will need to buy one to support the microphone. 

In our experience, you have two main options.

Table Stand

A table stand is inexpensive and robust. If you’re just getting started, this is a great option. These table stands are pretty generic and we don’t have an opinion on using one brand over another. 

Boom Arm

If you’re looking for a long-term option, consider a microphone boom arm. With a boom arm, you get better mic placement options and more flexibility, not to mention the additional sound isolation benefits that some microphone boom arms can provide. 

We recommend using the Rode PSA1+ Microphone Boom Arm.

Microphone Placement

When positioning the microphone, it’s important to keep it at a consistent distance from your mouth throughout your recording. This ensures that the audio remains consistent and doesn’t vary in volume or quality.

If the Shure SM7B is too close to your mouth, it will sound boomy. If you place it too far away, it will be too quiet and have too much background noise.

We recommend keeping the Shure SM7B 3-4” away from your mouth for best results. 

XLR Cable

When selecting an XLR cable to use with the Shure SM7B microphone, you should consider a few things.

Choosing a high-quality XLR cable is essential to ensure that your microphone can deliver the best possible sound quality. Look for cables made with high-grade copper and quality shielding to reduce interference and noise.

Consider the length of the cable you need. XLR cables come in different lengths, so choose a long cable to reach your audio interface or mixer without being too long, as longer cables can be more prone to interference and signal loss.

Stick with reputable brands when selecting an XLR cable. This will help ensure you get a quality product that will provide reliable performance.

We recommend Mogami, Canare, or Hosa XLR cables, but if you can also check out our XLR cable buyer’s guide. 

Preamp & Gain Setup

Once you connect your Shure SM7B to your Rode AI-1 Audio Interface, the next step is to set the preamp. 

When recording, you want to turn up the preamp until you’re getting a level between -12dB and -18dB.

This will give you a loud enough single without risking clipping or peaking. 

Cloudlifter / Inline Preamp

In our experience, you don’t need a Cloudlifter or Inline Preamp when using the Rode AI-1 with the Shure SM7B. 

That being said, if you have poor mic placement or are soft-spoken, you may want to consider adding this to your setup. 

It’s also worth checking out some other inline preamp options:

• Cloudlifter Cl-1: https://currentprice.io/cloudlifter
• Dynamite DM-1: https://currentprice.io/dynamite
• Coda Stealth: https://currentprice.io/coda_stealth
• Triton Audio Fethead: https://currentprice.io/fethead

How To Connect & Setup Rode AI-1 With Shure SM7B

Final Thoughts

Overall, I highly recommend the Rode AI-1 Audio Interface with the Shure SM7B microphone.

This combination provides an excellent solution for recording vocals, podcasts, and other types of audio content.

The interface is easy to use and provides high-quality results, while the Shure SM7B microphone is a versatile and reliable microphone that is well-suited for a wide range of recording applications.

Rode AI-1 & Shure SM7B Pricing

• Shure SM7B: https://currentprice.io/shure_sm7b
• Rode AI-1: https://currentprice.io/rode_ai1
• Cloudlifter Cl-1: https://currentprice.io/cloudlifter
• Dynamite DM-1: https://currentprice.io/dynamite
• Coda Stealth: https://currentprice.io/coda_stealth
• Triton Audio Fethead: https://currentprice.io/fethead
• Mogami Studio Gold XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/mogami_xlr
• Rode NT1: https://currentprice.io/rode-nt1-5th
• Rodecaster Pro II: https://currentprice.io/rodecaster2
• Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro Headphones: https://currentprice.io/beyer_dt_990
• XLR Cable: https://currentprice.io/xlr_cable
• Mic Stand: https://currentprice.io/desk_stand
• Rode PSA1+ Boom Arm: http://currentprice.io/psa1_plus
• Quality Acoustic Treatment Panels: http://currentprice.io/soundpanels 

Rode AI-1 & Shure SM7B Topics

• 0:00 – Introduction
• 0:38 – Price & Specs
• 1:00 – Equipment In Video
• 1:30 – What’s Included?
• 2:00 – Mic Stand / Boom Arm
• 2:38 – Connect Shure SM7B to Boom Arm
• 3:18 – Microphone Placement
• 4:08 – XLR Cable
• 4:57 – Connect Shure SM7B To Rode AI-1
• 5:27 – How To Record On Your Computer
• 6:15 – Preamp & Gain Setup
• 8:02 – Cloudlifter / Inline Preamp ?
• 9:28 – Cloudlifter / Inline Preamp Setup
• 11:35 – Recommendation

Rode AI-1 & Shure SM7B FAQs