Tritonaudio FetHead - Studio Preamplifier

Product Information

The FetHead range contains models with different features for different applications. Models include the standard version, the FetHead Phantom which still passes phantom power to the microphone therefore making it suitable with condensers and the FetHead filter which features a high pass filter. For our comparison with Cloud’s CL-1, we’ll be looking at the standard FetHead.

I used the FetHead with a couple of MXL ribbon mics with great results whether running on my old Presonus Firepod preamps, or my M-Audio DMP3, or my Focusrite pres, or my ART pres. Anything that I used the Triton Audio FetHead on got a turbo boost of gain. Another way to compare these two in-line mic preamp choices is by asking yourself a series of questions about your gear, process, and ideal price: In the end, the comparison between FetHead vs Cloudlifter should focus on your personal needs. The more you know about how these in-line preamplifiers work, interact with equipment, and affect music quality, the better. With our research, we hope to make it easier to decide between these two options. You’ll have probably noticed that both of these options are the two at the lowest price points. That’s because all of the alternatives we’ve covered do largely the same thing – provide clean, transparent gain. The only reason to go for something more expensive than the Durham MKii or the FetHead is if you need either more gain or want additional features. Frequently Asked Questions Is a Cloudlifter necessary? One of the biggest fears of using a plug-and-play solution for passive ribbon and dynamic mics is getting enough additional gain. Despite its small size and ability to attach directly to your microphone, FetHead’s ability to increase the loudness of any sound input, whether for music or videos, should not be underestimated. SpecsThe DM-1 is made with grade high quality components and FETs which results in very low noise. The gain is clean and neutral which is exactly what you want from a mic activator. For a more in-depth look at both the Cloudlifter and FetHead, see our article on Cloudlifter alternatives. Best Outboard Preamps for the SM57

In-line preamps like the FetHead are helpful in this case—they give you clean gain to boost your mic levels without being too noisy. Nevertheless, FetHead wins out where budgets are concerned. While both devices are well suited for budget or mid-tier mic choices, they are built to last and may outlive your current microphone’s lifespan. Keep this in mind when considering the differences between the two.It’s worth noting here that the 48v phantom power will come from an existing preamp. This can be confusing – if you already have a preamp which is able to provide the phantom power for an activator to work, why would you need an activator in the first place. Keep reading, all will be revealed! What is an outboard microphone preamp?

Cloudlifter alternatives include the Triton Audio FetHead, the Cathedral Pipes Durham, the Radial McBoost and the sE Electronics Dynamite DM-1. All are inline mic activators which provide a similar amount of gain for low sensitivity dynamic and ribbon microphones. As previously stated, mic activators have become popular in recent years but before they hit the scene, outboard mic preamps were widely used. Dynamic microphones such as this though do require more gain than a typical condenser mic but with gain can come noise and with noise comes more clean-up work in post, so it’s important to select a good preamp with a decent amount of clean gain. Mic level on the other hand is generally a much weaker signal and as most microphones output at mic level, amplification is required. As mentioned earlier, dynamic microphones like the Shure SM57 tend to require more of a boost than condenser mics. This is because the diaphragm of a dynamic mic needs more sound volume to move and because it’s that movement which produces the electrical signal, the small amount of movement that you get with a dynamic mic means that a weaker signal is generated.If you’re in the market for a mic activator that gives a clean gain boost, you’ll likely read plenty about the FetHead vs Cloudlifter debate. In this article, we’ll cover the pros and cons of these devices. In the end, you’ll have a much better idea of which inline mic preamp will best suit your needs! But how do these two mic activators hold up in practical application? Well, we have run some tests to determine the noise floor and frequency response of each device. Key takeaway: The FetHead has a simple design and solid all-metal construction with a small size that fits seamlessly in mic setups. Gain and Noise Levels These questions will help you better determine which mic activator is right for you. Regardless of what type of mics you currently own, your gear and needs can always change in the future. Considering where your audio journey is going is essential when purchasing any new piece of gear. Final Thoughts FetHead Phantom is an ultra-low noise, high quality, in-line microphone preamplifier. It provides improved sound for condenser microphones. Small, compact, but powerful, Fethead Phantom utilizes tried and true FET technology to deliver up to 18dB of clean boost. No more cranking your mic preamp and adding unwanted noise to get your microphone to an acceptable volume.Boost your microphone!

As we’ve already covered, all microphones need a amplification from a preamp to bring them up to the correct level. We’ve also established that some mics output a stronger signal and that dynamic mics generally need more amplification than condenser mics. Good question! If you’re using an interface which is fairly standard in podcasting circles, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for example, it has preamps for each of the mic inputs built-in. These will be fine for a condenser mic which outputs a hot signal but to get to the level you need when using a dynamic mic, you’ll need to crank up the gain.Cloud Microphones’ Cloudlifter was the first of its kind on the market to gain popularity. Because of this, many articles, artists, and producers refer to these microphone activators as “Cloudlifters.” However, lately many new entries into this market have added a variety of features and entries at different cost points.