Cloud Microphones

The Cloudlifter CL-1 is a single channel, in-line microphone pre-amplifier that delivers a transparent gain boost of 20db via 48V phantom power. It is manufactured by Cloud microphones, who are renowned for their boutique quality passive and active ribbon microphones. They designed the Cloudlifter series with powering high-end, passive ribbon microphones in mind, which require a considerable amount of gain compared to comparable studio condenser mics. However, they have been proven to be a secret weapon when combined with low-output, high-end dynamic microphones, such as the Shure SM7b and the Electro-Voice RE-20. UTILIZATION The Cloudlifter requires no consultation of the manual, simply plug and play! The XLR connections are top quality and are very stable. The unit is sturdily built and would be perfectly at home in the studio or on stage. It is delivered with a sensibly designed velcro strap that allows you to attach it to a microphone stand. This is an important feature, as Cloud say the CL-1 should be placed close to the microphone with as short of cable as possible. That being said, I do feel the velcro strap should be easier to tighten flush to the microphone stand. SOUND QUALITY The gain is perfectly transparent and makes for a night and day difference with the dynamic mics I tested it with. Even when paired with a trusty old SM57 on a preamp that already had plenty of clean gain, I found I could attain crisper results and more efficient gain staging. In the audio samples below, I compare an SM57 mic'd guitar cab both with the Cloudlifter and without: Without Cloudlifter: https://en.audiofanzine.com/embed/audio/473658 With Cloudlifter: https://en.audiofanzine.com/embed/audio/473657 You can consult the attached image showing the waveforms to verify these recordings were done at unity gain. OVERALL OPINION For me, the Cloudlifter is an essential tool for any studio owner. In particular, if you own an SM7b, I don't see how you could live with out it. In my personal case, I had high hopes of using an SM7b with my Universal Audio LA-610 channel strip. Given the vintage output of the LA-610 and the notorious low output of the SM7, my initial results were poor. However, the Cloudlifter instantly solved my problems and I've enjoyed great success with this trifecta. Additionally, the contributions it has made to any situation where I'm using a dynamic mic has been much appreciated. Anytime I've used it with an SM57 on any sound source, I've always found gain staging to be much smoother with the Cloudlifter than without. Pros: +Ease of use +Truly transparent gain +Added clarity to any dynamic mic recording +a much needed boost of clean gain for use with vintage style preamps +Every SM7B user should have one! Cons -The velcro strap can be a bit difficult to get flush and tight to the mic stand. -No small light indicating that phantom power is successfully reaching the unit

The Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 is a 2 channel +25dB microphone preamp. It is a smaller unit but it is very portable and well built for its price range and size. It cost 250 dollars; I have had this since last summer and never had any issues with it. Sometimes there are some microphones that have low gain outputs on them and it causes some huge problems. That is where the Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 comes in, it will boost those low output microphones and give you a clean signal. I have had many microphones over the years that could have used the Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2. That is the reason why I ended up purchasing it was for a few different microphones that I was using. My only regret with the Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 is that I did not get it sooner. It could have really come in good use when I was using a few Stereo Ribbon Microphones years back. UTILIZATION Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 will give your positive gain of up to +25dB before the preamp. The Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 is phantom powered and has an impedance of 3 ohms. This small unit will work wonders for your low audio output microphone problems. SOUND QUALITY I currently don’t have many microphones that I need to use the Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 with. So it is just kind of sitting in my workspace. But I am not getting rid of it because you never know when you may need it again. I have used it several times and know how great it works. So I will keep it on hand for future problems with other different microphones that I may get. You can even use the Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 on acoustic guitars (though we have not done that yet). OVERALL OPINION After using the Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-2 for long periods of time you will notice that it does start to get a little warm. I am not sure how that will affect the performance of the unit down the road.