Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1

Product Information

So, when Cloud promotes the Cloudlifter as creating “ultra-clean gain,” they mean it! Test #2: The Cable Run from Hell 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?

The problem is they aren’t very affordable, but Cloudlifters certainly are. Plus, it’s safe to use ribbon mics with a Cloudlifter, even sensitive vintage mics. While using phantom power with ribbon mics is a big no-no (it can destroy them), a Cloudlifter won’t pass on the phantom power to the mic input. Overall, the Cloudlifter behaved in every respect like a very well-specified, clean-sounding preamp — albeit one with no controls. For the best results, I'd advise connecting the Cloudlifter to your mic via a short, good-quality XLR cable. This will feed a higher signal into the longer XLR running to your main mic amp, which means that you're less likely to suffer from noise problems in the event that the longer cable develops a fault. Verdict I just got my new CL-1 a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been using it with a SHURE SM57 on some of my voiceover projects. 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.Passive ribbon mics are notorious for having a low output. They need some form of preamp gain to pump them up to a usable signal level. This became the clarion call for the mic activators like Cloudlifter and the alternatives that followed suit. Cloudlifters are recommended for improving the signal to noise ratio and performance of passive microphone/preamp combinations with the following: 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 However, the Gear4music extended warranty scheme provides an enhanced service, and is designed to offer a higher level of protection than many 'free' warranties offered by some retailers and manufacturers. Nevertheless, low output dynamic or ribbon microphone users will sift through forum threads looking for ways to add additional gain to counter low-level signals. This need then spawned a new, and rather recent, category of mic activators in the market.

If you read my review of the original Cloudlifter, you’ll recall that I was getting some noise from the device when it was at the far end of a long mic cable, next to my DAW. The new CL-1 seems to be immune to this problem — I tried it with Cloud’s beautiful JRS-34 passive ribbon mic, before and after a 30' run of very questionable cable, and heard no RF noise in either configuration. Problem solved! ConclusionAccessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered. In fact, many users prefer them because they are believed to cause desirable changes to the mic response. While I cannot confirm this, I know it from good authority that a Cloudlifter raises the HF cutoff of ribbon mics. It makes them sound brighter, or so say the jazz cats I hang out with. Does The Shure SM7B Require A Cloudlifter? The Durham MKII has a small footprint and is a more affordable alternative to CL-1. If 20 dB is enough gain for your needs, it has an excellent value-to-cost ratio and high-quality gain to offer. 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.