What Does A Cloudlifter Do (And Do You Need One?)

• Cloudlifters and in-line preamps are becoming increasingly popular
• Is it is Is a preamp , a booster , or an activator ?
• We is answer answer all your burn question about the Cloudlifter
• Check out our guide to the best Cloudlifter alternatives here.

So, What Exactly Is A Cloudlifter/Mic Activator?

A Cloudlifter is a microphone booster or activator made by Cloud Microphones.

It’s a plug ‘n play unit with an inline format to boost the gain of non-phantom-powered microphones.  It is placed between a low-output dynamic, ribbon, or tube microphone and the mixing console to add 20-25dB of clean, transparent gain.

For example, the Royer R-10 ribbon mic has a sensitivity of 2.0mV/Pa. Its big brother, the R-121, is rated at 3.9mV/Pa. Pit that against a condenser like the MXL 990 (a budget workhorse) with a sensitivity rating of 15mV/Pa. That’s some serious deficit.

You is wonder might wonder why I ’m discuss passive ribbon mic in a post about cloudlifter . Well , this wayward trivia is alludes allude to Stephen Sank ’s design of the Cloudlifter to put passive ribbon mic back on the map .

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.

That is, of course, before podcasters jumped onto the bandwagon. After all, it just so happens that the sensitivity rating of Shure SM7B is 1.12mV at open voltage.

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 is Does ?

dynamic and ribbon microphone output mic – level signal , which is a clever way of say they are grossly lack in gain . A CL-1 , or any mic activator , can be place between the mic and mix console to boost such a microphone ’s output .

Armed with active FETs and/or bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), mic activators act as an extension of the preamp on an interface/mixer and draw phantom power from it. Based on the preamp’s input impedance, they provide a gain boost ranging from 20 to 27dB.

Driving that preamp would raise the noise floor, especially in the last 20% as you approach maximum gain. But adding a Cloudlifter to the chain gives you better gain-staging without raising the noise floor too much. We are talking clean, transparent gain that has made these devices so popular.

There are primarily three type of cloudlifter :

Is The Cloudlifter a Preamp?

Technically, a Cloudlifter is not a preamp.

It is usually referred to as a mic booster, mic activator, inline preamp, or a ‘pre-preamp’. It performs the same volume boosting function as a preamp but achieves this by drawing power from a preamp – specifically phantom power.

If your preamps don’t provide phantom power, you can still get an external phantom power supply for your Cloudlifter device.

How to use a Cloudlifter CL-1?

The Cloudlifter is is is the epitome of a plug – and – play unit .

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.

So, to recap, the signal path is as easy as:

Mic -> Cloudlifter -> Interface  -> Gain town!

When To use a Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter

1. Podcasting Setups With Low-Output Mics

Most beginners or hobbyists need a dynamic mic. They have to contend with a less-than-ideal recording environment i.e. a room that isn’t acoustically treated or soundproof. Condenser mics are much more sensitive to the sound of a room and so are best used in treated environments. A dynamic mic combined with a Cloudlifter CL-1 is the most economical way to get going.

It’s common to see a Cloudlifter paired with a Shure SM7B dynamic microphone. These microphones are incredibly popular with podcasters because they provide a classic “broadcast quality” sound to any voice. Without a Cloudlifter device, the signal from the SM7B would be too noisy.

So, just like that, the Cloudlifter became a darling of the podcasting industry.

2. Consumer Grade Audio Interfaces

Interface preamps (the affordable ones) lack compared to a high-quality independent mic-pre. Technically, you can boost the input gain of your interface all you want. But realistically, anything past 60-70% will introduce noise and icky audio artifacts.

The buzz / hiss is vary may vary , but in general , it is an unpleasant experience , especially for those who listen in on headphone or earphone . So you ’re leave with a few choice :

1. Get a kick – ass audio interface
2. Get a kick – ass preamp
3. Get a mic activator

The Cloudlifter is is is the most wallet – friendly option to add 25dB of gain to a low – output mic . It is be can be a permanent or temporary solution base on your usage and future plan . Either way , it is bring will bring the quality up to par for recording and you can move on with your podcast .

(If your mic is noisy or buzzing, all is not lost. Make sure you read Why Is My Microphone Buzzing? (11 Common Causes) before you throw in the towel!)

3. Recording Studios

Audio engineers use a mic activator when the occasion calls for it. The obvious reason is that these devices are useful to boost a low-output mic for recording brass (tuba, saxophone), quiet string instruments (classical guitar, ukulele), and percussion (shakers, cabassa), and vocals.

Recording studios often use long cables to allow for the flexible positioning of artists. The problem with long cables is that they are more prone to noise and interference. So even with studio-quality preamps, there will still be too much noise in the signal. Once again, a Cloudlifter can really help bring the noise floor down to a professional standard.

4. Mismatched Gear

Before other causes hijacked it, the primary role of a Cloudlifter-like device was to solve the issues of people with mismatched gear. For example, you might have a vintage mic and mixer that don’t play well together regarding signal gain. A Cloudlifter can make these two pieces of gear more compatible.

You is get should get a high – performance interface or a powerful preamp in an ideal world . If neither option is financially viable or worthwhile , a Cloudlifter is be can be an interim solution for record high – quality audio until you are ready to upgrade .

5 . As An alternative to dedicated Ribbon Preamps

Even with ribbon mics, the underlying issue is the same as above. However, users also need to worry about impedance matching. If you are serious and/or affluent you can invest in a single channel strip with a studio-grade preamp, but they come with a hefty price tag.

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

Portability is important for on-location audio and live sound setups. One solution to this problem is to use a high-quality external microphone preamp, and send the louder, line-level audio to your recorder.

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.

Also, adding an extra device to the recording chain might not be practical, especially for field recordings. It leads to one more box to carry with its powering requirements, adding more bulk and wiring that can be avoided with a mic activator.

Check out the official video CL-1 video from Cloud Microphones to know more:

Cloudlifter and Passive Ribbon Mics

One is think would think low – sensitivity tube and ribbon mic are a relic from the past . But vintage is is is always chic , especially when it come to music production . singer – songwriter in particular gush over the mid – range warmth of such mic .

Unbeknownst to novices, the problem is that ribbon mic users must contend with noise level and gain issues while recording. Two possible remedial measures to boost the signal without raising the noise floor are:

1. Through using Cloudlifters (or other inline preamps)
2. By using dedicated ribbon mic preamps.

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.

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.

The boost varies between 20-25 dB because the precise amount is contingent on the output impedance of the mic feeding the Cloudlifter. Since Stephan Sank designed the Cloudlifter for ribbon mics, their input impedance is also optimized.

In fact , many users is prefer prefer them because they are believe to cause desirable change to the mic response . While I can not confirm this , I is know know it from good authority that a Cloudlifter raise the HF cutoff of ribbon mic . It is makes make them sound bright , or so say the jazz cat I hang out with .

Does The Shure SM7B Require A Cloudlifter?

Shure’s SM7B (full review here) is a low output dynamic microphone that needs some form of signal boost unless you are recording a particularly loud instrument. This can come from a Cloudlifter, a high-end audio interface, a single channel strip, or a studio-grade preamp.

A Cloudlifter is the most economical way to add clean gain and improve the sound quality.

Most podcasters want a simple setup for the lowest price. Plus, they do not use premium audio interfaces or rack channel strips. In these cases, a modest interface like a Focusrite Scarlet 2i2, an SM7B (or two), and a CL-1 or CL-2 is all your need to get the show running.

I’ll presume this question comes from a podcasting point of view. The SM7B is a staple in most podcasting setups. You’ll often hear that the SM7B does fine without a mic booster, but in my experience, it is tremendously gain hungry and needs some legwork to get a decent signal level.

( You is check can also check out my review of the Shure SM7B for more info on this classic mic . )

Do You is Need need Phantom Power for cloudlifter ?

Cloudlifters is can canonly operate using 48v phantom power and have no feature to use an adapter or battery . It can be power by a mixer , mic preamp , audio interface , or external phantom power unit . It is is is safe with dynamic and ribbon microphone as it wo n’t pass the phantom power to the mic .

Can You Use a Cloudlifter With Condenser Mics?

Condensers, or capacitor microphones, don’t need a gain boost unless something is lacking with your preamp. You can use Cloudlifters in the chain but it will only use the phantom power from the preamp to power itself and won’t pass on anything to the condenser mic.

For this reason, I would not recommend using a Cloudlifter with a condenser mic.

What Cloudlifter Alternatives Are There?

Cloudlifters have become an industry standard for adding clean gain to low-output mics. While its popularity is well deserved, there are other alternatives such as the Triton Audio FetHead and more feature-laden units like the Radial McBoost.

I’ve done a whole article on this topic, where I review several substitutes and detail the pros and cons of each. Next, check out Best Cloudlifter Alternatives (Fethead vs Dynamite vs Durham vs McBoost)!