I love both my SM57's and my SM7B's - they're different, even if they're very similar. I have a zillion mics, but most often I end up using one of these two.

Mics with built in gain boosters - that sounds like a bandage fix, where a better preamp or interface would be a better option. If the gain booster is built into the mic (which likely costs a bit extra), then you'll probably need one for a different mic (which costs extra again). I've got a fair number of audio interfaces here, some old some new, so I've got a few mic boosters for when I need them - but the newer interfaces and my dedicated preamps tend not to need them. With my 3rd gen Scarlett's I think I only ever use one with the SM7B, but that mic is known for its low output (and is likely the reason why mic boosters exist).


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