Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1

Product Information

Paulds, I can’t explain why you’re getting noise from your gear as you describe. But the C400’s pad is cutting 20dB of gain, which means the Cloudlifter’s additional 20-25dB is all but wiped out.

The original Cloudlifter was a 2-channel device. The new version of that model is now called the CL-2. As noted above, there is a new single-channel version too, called the CL-1. McBoost is rugged, compact, and almost twice as heavy as others on this list. It features an all-steel case with powder coating that is clearly built to last a lifetime. It also features hand-matched transistors and dual FET class-A circuits for optimal performance. Again, a Cloudlifter can be a cheaper alternative to a dedicated preamp in the short run. We will discuss this in a later section of the post. 6. Portability In case you are still unsure of just what is on offer with each product, we have compiled the most important specs into two convenient lists for you to come to compare further.

Oh no! Why did I get blocked?

Prior to recording, I gain-matched the two channels to within 0.1dB. Needless to say, the CL-1 channel needed ~20dB less gain. I don’t understand the point of the cloudlifter if the level achieved has the same amount of preamp noise on both. With up to 25dB of gain on tap, the Cloudlifter CL-1 eliminates the need to push your preamp to noisy levels. Its discrete JFET design adds gain without adding noise or distortion, allowing even budget preamps to sound high-end. Long cable runs won't sap your signal, either, thanks to the CL-1's line-driving output stage. Ribbon Mic Ready 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?

Then again, if making wise financial decisions was my forte, I probably wouldn’t be a musician in the first place. Meiron, if you’re happy with the sound you’re getting, then there is no reason to buy any more gear! Cathedral Pipes have adopted the built-in circuit from “Seville” – one of their bestselling active ribbon microphones – to create the Durham MKII. That ought to vouch for the fact that it has enough juice for ribbon mics. Performance malygris13, I believe the new RF filtering circuitry appears with the CL-1/CL-2 branding. The first generation were called simply “cloudlifter,” and were all 2-channel devices. Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.Ultimately, I omitted them because they are not quite as popular or are much of the same. The only exception to this is the Royer dBooster, which is a pricey but top-shelf unit. That said, it’s safe to say assume we’ve covered every mic booster worth contemplating in 2021.

The Cloudlifter is the most wallet-friendly option to add 25dB of gain to a low-output mic. It can be a permanent or temporary solution based on your usage and future plans. Either way, it will bring the quality up to par for recording and you can move on with your podcast. Now we know a bit more about the products and have analyzed how they work in a variety of tests, what have we learned? Well, the noise floor on the FetHead is higher than that of the Cloudlifter, however, that is to be expected as the FetHead provides a higher boost overall.I’d like to make a casual reference to the MartiAudio Booster, Royer dBooster, Sanken HAD‑48, and a handful of other options that could have qualified as a viable alternative to the CL-1. The Cloudlifters take their power from a standard phantom-powered mic input, but don't pass this on to the mic input, so there's no risk of 'electrocuting' a vintage ribbon mic. The amount of gain provided varies depending on the output impedance of the microphone feeding it. Typically, it's 20-25 dB. This allows the mic preamp to which the Cloudlifter is connected to be run at a much lower gain setting — and where that mic preamp is part of a USB or Firewire audio interface, running it at a lower gain can make the difference between an electrically quiet recording and one blighted by digital noise and buzz, which, in my experience, is often a problem when running an interface preamp at close to maximum gain. The input impedance (around 3kΩ) is optimised for ribbon mics, and the signal path is entirely DC coupled, eliminating distortions that could otherwise be caused by sub-optimal coupling capacitors. On Test I do a lot of on location recording of Classical music in the Chicago area and thanks to the CL-2 I’ve rediscovered the joy of using ribbons for spot mics. Because I want to set up my listening position far from the musicians and stay out of sight during concerts, my typical cable run is 100′ to 150′. The CL-2 handles that length with no trouble at all. One would think low-sensitivity tube and ribbon mics are a relic from the past. But vintage is always chic, especially when it comes to music production. Singer-songwriters in particular gush over the mid-range warmth of such mics. You should get an instant answer on whether your application has been successful, though in some rare cases Klarna or V12 may need to look at the application in more detail.

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. 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. 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

Should you buy the Cloud Microphones CL-1 Cloudlifter?

Like the FetHead, this is a simple plug ‘n play device. Audio-wise, the performance is top-notch and the device does not add any noise or coloration. If you are looking for a unit to drive long cable runs, the DM-1 outperforms the competition with the ‘lowest in class’ output impedance.