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Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator

Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator

Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator
$ 149.00

Score By Feature

Based on 2,241 ratings
Quality of material
8.98
Sound quality
9.33
Value for money
8.18

OveReview Final Score

How Our Score Is Calculated

Product Description

Phantom power is used to provide up to 25dB of gain to passive microphones (mostly dynamic and ribbon mics) without passing Phantom power to the mic.
The self-contained design is simple to operate and only requires Phantom power. **No Phantom power is used to power mics.
All passive dynamic microphones are recommended for use with this microphone.
Safe for all passive ribbons with no Phantom transfer. Compatible with tube, battery, or power supply driven microphones.
It doesn't use Phantom power to power the mics (that's not what it's for). Instead, place the cloudlifter in front of your dynamic mic, then use Phantom Power to bring out the best in your basic mic (even an SM58 style mic).

Questions & Answers

Is it true that I'll need two xlr cables to make this work? Will one cable suffice, or will two be sufficient?

Yes, two XLR cables are required. CL- CloudLifter CL- CloudLifter CL- CloudLifter CL- Cloud 1 is designed to work with both a microphone and a mixer, as well as a microphone and an XLR/USB interface. The CL- 1 converts 48 volt phantom power from a mixer or interface to around 25 dB of very clean gain. It's designed to be used with ribbon microphones, such as the Fathead, or dynamic microphones, such as the SM58. if you're using a condenser mic, such as the NT1- After that, there's the CL- 1 will not work because it does not supply the microphone with 48 volt phantom power. br>In my setup, I used an SM58, which was connected to a CloudLifter, and then to a FocusRite Scarlett 2i2 XLR/USB interface. (If you're only going to use one mic, the Scarlett Solo might be the way to go.) The preamp is the same, but it's a little less expensive. ) The finished product is crystal clear, loud, and quiet. br>I hope this has been of assistance to you!

Will this make a difference if my preamps are already excellent? SM7b is the model I'm using. ?

The answer is contingent on how you define "pretty great." When using an SM7b, you'll need plenty of quiet gain from your preamp. There are many excellent preamps that lack this feature. You'll bring out the noise in almost every pre with this mic because it requires so much boost. The SM7b is a fantastic microphone, but regardless of the quality of the preamp, I would not record it without a Cloud Lifter.

Is it better to use condenser or dynamic microphones for this?

The CL- 1 is only useful with dynamic and ribbon microphones; it will not work with condensers at all. The CL-100 uses 48v phantom power from a USB interface or a mixer, which is why this is the case. 1 to produce a very clean gain of about 25dB However, this means that the power isn't distributed further down the line, so if your mic needs phantom power, the CL-1000 is the way to go. The number one has no meaning. If you're working with a dynamic, however, you'll need to use the CL- 1 is AMAZING; it aids in the generation of very clean gain from virtually any source. For dynamic and ribbon microphones, this is a must-have.

Is it possible to use this cloudlifter with an xvive phantom power supply?

Yes, this item requires the use of a phantom power supply.

Selected User Reviews For Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator

I CAN'T BELIEVE I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONG! I'm not sure why I was hesitant to purchase this
5/5

I thought it would be enough to spend $400 on a Shure SM7B and $100 on a mixer. Nope! Although the sound quality was still an issue, I'm glad I decided to give it a shot because WOW! It significantly improved the quality of my audio! It was also incredibly simple to operate. It's literally as simple as plugging it in. br>br>Basically, this device increases the volume of your microphone so you can turn down all of your presets and avoid background static. That's exactly what it did! Quality of Construction: br>br> It's incredible, with a lot of weight and a silky feel to it. It's made in the United States, and it shows; I, too, am a fan of supporting American businesses. Value: br>br> It's pricey, but if you're going to spend $400 on a microphone, you'll be doing yourself a disservice if you don't get this! I went from an SM58 to a Shure Sm7B, and the difference wasn't as noticeable as just adding this cloud lifter. br>br>Conclusion: This device is a game changer that makes a NIGHT AND DAY difference when used versus when not used. Excellent craftsmanship and quality. I'm so glad I bought it; it's well worth the money, and if you're on the fence, BUY IT! You will not be sorry! br>br>In addition, I paid for this entirely with my own money, and this review reflects my true feelings and opinions. I hope this information is beneficial to you.

Sariah Harper
Sariah Harper
| Jun 20, 2021
I use a Shure SM7 mic, so most of the entry and mid-range frequencies are covered by this product
5/5

The mic will not work properly if the level mixer does not have enough preamp. The Cloudlifter is now available for purchase. I was skeptical at first, but since Shure recommended it, I went ahead and purchased it. Wow! On my entry, I brought the SM7 to life. Mackie mixer at a certain level. The sound quality is excellent, as is the build quality (it feels like a solid block of aluminum), and it's comforting to know that it's all backed up by a solid warranty. Because I can lower the gain on the preamp, it actually sounds cleaner than without it. Thank you, Cloud, for the crystal clear sound! br>br>UPDATE: br>br> It's been a year since I've used it on a daily basis, and I'm still a fan There are no problems, and the Cloudlifter continues to function flawlessly. br>br>UPDATE: br>br> br>br>UPDATE: After three and a half years of near-daily use, there have been no issues with the product, and I am still very impressed!br>br> This month, it will be six years old, so use it four times. Every week, on five days. It's still going strong, and I've never had any problems with it since I bought it in August 2013.

Julie Glover
Julie Glover
| May 15, 2021
I see why each microphone requires one now
5/5

This arrived open as if it had been returned, but the unit inside was in perfect condition and does exactly what it should: My Shure SM58 dynamic microphone's sensitivity has been increased. I was previously recording on full gain, which resulted in shaky vocals. Now, I get better sounding recordings using 60% of available gain and less noise than before. The vocals are richer, deeper, and just better than before.

Monroe Hickman
Monroe Hickman
| Sep 27, 2021
Your cheap preamp boosts the volume of your SM7B
5/5

There is no difference in the noise level. The Cloudlifter does exactly what it says on the tin. If you have a Shure SM7B microphone and a cheapo Scarlett 2i2 interface and want to get more gain out of them, this will do the trick. br>br>In terms of noise floor, I can't tell the difference between maxing out my 2i2's gain and running it at 2-. I can get about the same gain with the Cloudlifter added to the clock. This means that if you're happy with the volume you're getting from a 2i2, running it at a lower gain, and adding a Cloudlifter won't help you. This is great if you need a little more volume. I saw some YouTube reviews that claimed the 2i2's last little bit of gain was "extra noisy," and that adding a Cloudlifter to your chain would reduce noise while keeping the volume the same, but this was not my experience.

Raelyn Carlson
Raelyn Carlson
| Nov 22, 2021
Works
3/5

For an SM7B, this is a perfect average gain. This is the gain booster for an SM7B if you don't want anything fancy. If you're looking for a specific sound and texture to add to your microphone, you should look elsewhere. I'm also surprised by how little it's required on a good pre. Even average preamps can drive an SM7B. but. If you're running low-cost software, this is extremely beneficial, and you should take advantage of it. br>br>The cloudlifter I received had been scratched and repackaged in a plain cardboard box with crate paper stuffed inside. I couldn't believe my eyes. At best, it appeared to be a B-rated unit. as if it were a pawned item or a return At the very least, it wasn't something I'd call novel. It had the desired effect. However, I felt like I had been duped, and the SM7B I bought was the SAME WAY. The tape was cut and the box was opened for that one. I didn't like the fact that they were both used and sold as new. There are a lot of people who buy this garbage and then return it, so be cautious about what you buy. Alternatively, if you don't mind. Simply purchase used items to save money. The product functions properly in all other respects. The Shure SM7B gets a clean, no-frills gain.

Edgar Marks
Edgar Marks
| Jan 12, 2021
Shure SM7B users will appreciate how simple and effective this is
5/5

Knowing that the preamps on a couple of my audio interfaces aren't very gainy, I decided to go with the CL-100. To be safe, I ordered my Shure SM7B on the same day I ordered my Cloudlifter device (whose manual recommends using preamps that can boost by 50db). I had heard some concerns about the Cloudlifter device--people saying it cut bass frequencies or otherwise colored the sound--so I did some tests on my first day of ownership. I recorded live vocals as well as a cranked-up drum loop. First, through my interface's preamp, then through the Cloudlifter, with the gain on the interface lowered to match the non-interface level. The recordings of Cloudlifter The RME Fireface UFX was the interface I used for my test recordings. When I was recording Cloudlifter, I used phantom power on the mic input (to power the CL-100). 1), and turned it off for the straight-up-and-down-and-down-and-down-and recordings of the user interface br>br>I couldn't tell any difference between the recordings, and using Audacity and Wavelab's analysis features, I couldn't see any differences in the frequency spectrum used. I have no doubt that the CL- 1 does exactly what it says on the tin: Before your mic's signal reaches your interface or mixing desk, add 25dB of clean, transparent gain to it.

Leonel Simon
Leonel Simon
| May 06, 2021

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