Simply plug your mic into the Cloudlifter, then plug the Cloudlifter into your mixer, preamp, or interface. However, you will need 48V phantom power either supplied by your mixer/preamp or externally with a separate phantom power supply box. Other than that, no drivers or updates are required – this isn’t digital gear. Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator is an easy to use, compact solution for common audio problems faced in the field and in the studio. Designed for all passive microphones including ribbons- the CL-1 safely uses any standard phantom powered microphone input device to provide up to +25db of ultra-clean, transparent gain. The McBoost is particularly suited to people with advanced setups or anyone who wants a multi-faceted alternative to a Cloudlifter. 4. Cathedral Pipes Durham MKII I don’t have any experience with the Sterling mic. But I’d recommend you try it before you buy. It has high sensitivity, but also relatively high self-noise. See if you can borrow one for a trial session in your own studio. The self-noise might be a showstopper.

Prior to recording, I gain-matched the two channels to within 0.1dB. Needless to say, the CL-1 channel needed ~20dB less gain. The no-slip pad on the under panel and book-ends on the casing are clever additions to protect the unit and switches. Overall, the high-quality components and engineering finesse are impressive yet predictable, given Radial’s outstanding reputation. Performance

Frequently asked questions about

The Cloudlifter is a patent-pending, fully discrete amplifier circuit, using no resistors or capacitors in the audio path, built into a solid steel case with Neutrik XLR connectors, and is designed, assembled, and tested by hand in the USA. I use dynamic microphones like the Shure SM7B and RE20 to cope better with unavoidable equipment noise and outside/traffic noise that I otherwise need a sound booth to eliminate. I use prosumer audio interfaces which can "just" bring the signal in from my dynamic microphones, but even though I use a dbx 286 S microphone processor which can arguably power something like a Shure SM7B, I know that my Cloudlifter can reduce the load on either of my audio interfaces and this eliminates the risk of hiss which comes with maximum gain when using any audio interface. Using a Cloudlifter, my signal is clean every time. There are dedicated mic preamps for studio and field recording that can provide sufficient gain for even the lowest-output microphones. However, these tend to be expensive.

If your mic is noisy or buzzing, all is not lost. Make sure you read Why Is My Microphone Buzzing? (11 Common Causes) before you throw in the towel!) 3. Recording Studios Is there a difference between the initial release of the “CL-1” and those that came later or are all the same. This is in reference to your comment that “the new Cloudlifters have updated circuitry”, If so how can we tell? Are there serial numbers or…. As I said, “affordable” mic preamps won’t provide acceptable results. You need a high-end preamp or something with a “ribbon mic mode” like the Millenia HV-35P. They sound pristine, and even at 80dB of gain you’ll have ample headroom with little noise. The Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator is a pioneering piece of gear designed to solve common issues faced by home studio owners and audio engineers. This innovative DI box and mic preamp activator boosts your microphone's signal by up to 25dB without passing phantom power to the mic itself. Guitar Center is thrilled to offer the Cloudlifter CL-1, which uses discreet JFET circuitry to provide completely transparent gain, enabling you to hear the natural tone of your mic like never before. Unparalleled Control Over Your Tone

Armed with active FETs and/or bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), mic activators act as an extension of the preamp on an interface/mixer and draw phantom power from it. Based on the preamp’s input impedance, they provide a gain boost ranging from 20 to 27dB. As of writing, the FetHead is significantly cheaper than the CL-1. The lower price point doesn’t mean the device is any less rugged, however, as the metal shielded enclosure is sturdy and of a premium build quality. Testing the Two

Whether you are contemplating purchasing a Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter or still deciding if you need one in the first place, this post has everything you need to know. How Does A Cloudlifter/Mic Activator Work? Of course, the other application for the CL-1 is to use low-output mics with long cable runs. If you have problems with radio interference from long cables to your ribbon mics, then the CL-1 would probably help you. You might also look iinto darker-voiced condensers like the Oktava MK-219/MK-319, or the Kel HM-2D.Cloud Microphones' Cloudlifters are essentially no-frills, no controls, low-noise mic preamps that use circuitry developed for Cloud's own active ribbon mics. The CL2 (pictured) is the two-channel version, and the cheaper CL1 is identical except that it has only one channel. They're designed to be used in line with low-output dynamic mics and, more specifically, with passive ribbon mics. Looking more like DI boxes than preamps, the solidly built Cloudlifters have balanced XLR connectors for input and output and that's it. There are no lights and no buttons. Each is just a steel box with two connectors per channel, and rubber feet on the base, where a folded metal plate provides a slot through which something like a velcro strap could be fitted to secure the unit to a microphone stand. You should get a high-performance interface or a powerful preamp in an ideal world. If neither option is financially viable or worthwhile, a Cloudlifter can be an interim solution for recording high-quality audio until you are ready to upgrade. 5. As An Alternative to Dedicated Ribbon Preamps The Cloudlifter CL-1's variable input impedance, adjustable from 150 ohms to 15,000 ohms, gives you an incredible amount of control over your mic's tone. Dial in the perfect amount of high-end sparkle or midrange warmth to suit your needs. Creating custom EQ curves for each mic in your collection has never been easier. Ultra-Quiet Performance