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A Cloudlifter is an inline microphone activator that adds gain before a signal reaches an audio interface or mixer’s preamp. Connect it between a microphone and the mic input; the interface or mixer must supply +48 V phantom power to operate it. Cloud Microphones specifies up to +25 dB of gain. It is intended mainly for passive dynamic and ribbon microphones, not as a replacement for an interface or its preamp.
Where a Cloudlifter fits in the signal chain
A typical setup is:
Passive dynamic or ribbon microphone → Cloudlifter → interface or mixer mic input (phantom power on) → recording system
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The interface or mixer sends phantom power to the Cloudlifter, which uses it to run its active circuit. The Cloudlifter then boosts the microphone signal before it reaches the downstream preamp. Cloud Microphones specifies up to +25 dB of gain; that figure is the manufacturer’s specification, not an independent measurement. Cloud Microphones’ FAQ and CL-1 product page describe the device and its setup.
Calling it simply a “preamp” can be confusing: it is an inline gain stage that works ahead of the preamp in your interface or mixer. You still need that downstream equipment to provide a mic input and to send the finished signal to your recording system.
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When adding one can help
A Cloudlifter is most relevant when a passive microphone produces a low signal and the connected interface or mixer needs substantial gain to reach a useful recording level. Passive ribbon microphones are a clear example: Shure notes that their output tends to be low and that additional pre-amplification may be necessary, depending on the gain available in the connected mixer or recording device. See Shure’s Microphone Techniques for Recording.
It can also be used with compatible dynamic microphones. Cloud Microphones lists the Shure SM7B, SM57 and SM58, the Electro-Voice RE20, and the Rode PodMic as examples in its compatibility FAQ. That list is not a claim that every user of those models needs an inline gain stage. Whether one is useful depends on the microphone’s output, how loud the source is, the available preamp gain, and the rest of the recording setup.
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Cloud Microphones describes its gain as clean or transparent and says an inline stage may improve the signal-to-noise experience. Those are manufacturer claims; the cited materials do not establish an independent comparative measurement showing that a Cloudlifter reduces noise in every setup. It also does not replace sound microphone placement, appropriate gain staging, or the interface or mixer’s own preamp.
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Passive dynamic microphones
These are among the main intended uses. The manufacturer lists several familiar dynamic models as compatible examples. Make sure the downstream mic input can provide phantom power for the Cloudlifter even though the dynamic microphone itself does not require that power.
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Passive ribbon microphones
Passive ribbons are also a stated use case. Shure describes ribbon microphones as a type of dynamic microphone and explains that some setups may need more pre-amplification, depending on the downstream device. The Cloudlifter FAQ says phantom power is not passed through to a passive ribbon mic.
Condenser microphones
A condenser microphone needs phantom power, and the Cloudlifter needs power as well. Do not assume that phantom power from the interface will pass through the Cloudlifter to the condenser. Cloud Microphones says to use an auxiliary phantom-power supply so both devices receive the power they need; consult its FAQ for the specified arrangement.
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Wireless receiver outputs
Cloud Microphones says the unit can connect to the XLR output of a wireless receiver. Before doing so, check that the receiver’s output and the following input suit the intended gain and phantom-power arrangement.
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Choose between the CL-1 and CL-25 Mini
The documented product-family distinction is primarily about physical format and how the unit fits into a rig. Both models are specified by the manufacturer for up to +25 dB of gain; that is a manufacturer specification, not a side-by-side independent test result.
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| Model | Format and connection | Channels | Specified gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudlifter CL-1 | Inline unit; see the manufacturer’s product-family page for its product description. | One channel, according to the manufacturer’s product-family page. | Up to +25 dB, per the manufacturer FAQ. |
| Cloudlifter Mini CL-25 | Compact inline design with built-in Neutrik XLR connectors, according to the manufacturer’s CL-25 page. | Not stated on the cited product page. | Up to +25 dB, per the manufacturer’s CL-25 page. |
Choose based on the available space, cable and connector arrangement, and channel needs of your setup. The cited manufacturer pages do not provide an independent performance comparison between the two models.
Connect it and troubleshoot a missing signal
- Connect the microphone to the Cloudlifter’s input, then connect its output to an interface or mixer mic input.
- Enable +48 V phantom power on the downstream interface or mixer so the Cloudlifter can operate. Cloud Microphones states in its troubleshooting FAQ: “The Cloudlifter will not pass a signal without it.”
- Set recording level with the downstream preamp and check that the microphone type and any additional power needs are being met.
- If there is no signal, first verify phantom power is enabled at the downstream input and that the XLR connections are seated. Then confirm the microphone and any auxiliary phantom supply are connected in an arrangement appropriate to their power requirements.
For a passive microphone, phantom power is needed to run the Cloudlifter, but the FAQ says it does not pass that power through to a passive ribbon microphone. For a condenser, use the auxiliary phantom-power arrangement described above rather than relying on power passing through the Cloudlifter.
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