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Review on 🎀 Cloudlifter CL-2: Handmade in the USA Dynamic/Ribbon Mic Activator Inline Preamp by Cloud Microphones by Mark Dahmer

Revainrating 5 out of 5

) Cloud Lifters are especially useful in situations where you need to place a ribbon.

Take advantage of it and turn your SF12 into an SF24 for only $250! :) The Cloud Lifter is particularly useful in situations where you need to place the ribbon mic some distance from your preamps, and just as useful when recording conditions require the ribbon mics to be a little farther from the musicians than you are. I would wish they were like that, and even more so if the source is calm enough initially. Ribbon microphones produce very low output levels, and even less so in many real-world recording situations. This makes the signal somewhat susceptible to interference over long cables. The Cloud Lifter series raises the output power of ribbon microphones to the level of a condenser microphone while lowering the impedance of the line driver. Both help minimize background noise. They CAN also improve the gain structure of your signal chain. Some mic preamps turn out to be significantly louder when you try to squeeze the last 10 dB of gain out of them - which you will sooner or later do with a ribbon amp. Splitting the gain between a line driver and a mic preamp can result in a noticeably quieter path. Not always, but often enough to craft these valuable tools. As a side note, the CL2 is bigger and heavier than the picture might suggest. Unlike the CL1, it doesn't have a strap or other built-in way to attach it to a mic stand. Consider placing it on the floor or attaching it to the base of a mic stand rather than placing it as close to the mic as possible (where it's supposed to be).

Pros
  • Always liked
Cons
  • I'll be silent