FAQ

The CL-1 is the original and most widely tested mic activator in the world.

Some of the best sounding mics require the most gain. Cloudlifters solve this problem by providing +25dB of clean, transparent gain.

Cloudlifters are plug & play, simply:

• Place the CL-1 between your mic and preamp/interface.
• Enable +48v of phantom power.

The Cloudlifter converts the +48v into +25dB of ultra clean gain. The result is hearing more mic with less noise.

A Cloudlifter essentially integrates into your preamp, enhancing it's gain stage. The Cloudlifter circuit works in conjunction with your preamp's components to provide clear gain directly to your microphone, bypassing capacitors and resistors in the audio path. This patented technology ensures powerful and clean amplification. Even when paired with top-tier preamps, Cloudlifters offer distinct advantages in signal-to-noise ratio and microphone sensitivity right from the source.

For starters, not all gain is created equal. Not only does the Cloudlifter provide the most transparent gain on the market, our production methods and limited lifetime warranty are unmatched within the industry.

We build all of our products by hand in Tucson, AZ out of USA materials, including circuit boards sourced from the Navajo Reservation in Northern Arizona. Each product comes with a limited lifetime warranty that protects again any manufacturing defects for the lifetime of the original purchaser!

Because the Cloudlifter does not pass phantom power, whenever you use it with a passive ribbon, you can be certain that there will be no accidental damage from phantom power.

Yes! Just plug the output of the receiver to the input of Cloudlifter.

Absolutely! However, you will need an auxiliary phantom supply power to do so.

Absolutely, this combination was actually the inspiration for our Cloudlifter Zi!

This list is always changing as mics come onto the market, but this is our most up to date list.

Dynamic Mics

• AKG D12 VR, D112, P2, P3, P4, P5i, D5, D40
• EV RE20, RE27, RE320, 635A
• Beyerdynamic M70 Pro X, M88, M201, V70d,
• Sennheiser MD-421 II, MD 441-U, MD 431 II, MD 435, MD 445
• Sennheiser e 609, e 825-S, e 835, e 906, e 945
• Shure SM-7b, MV7, MV7X (XLR)
• Shure SM57, SM58, Beta 57A & 58A
• Shure Super 55 Deluxe. 55SH
• Heil PR20, PR 22, 30, PR35, PR40, PR781
• Telefunken M80, M81, M82
• Rode PodMic, Procaster
• Audix OM2, OM5, OM7, D4, D6

Tube Mics

• AKG P820, C12 VR,
• Golden Age GA-ELA M 251E
• Lewitt LCT 840, LCT 940, LCT 1040
• Manley Reference Cardioid, Silver, Gold
• Mojave MA-37, MA-200, MA-300, MA-1000
• Miktek CV3, CV4
• Neumann M49 V, M149, U47, U67
• Soyuz 013 Tube, 017 Tube V2,
• Telefunken C12, TF51, ELA M 251E, TF29, TF39, TF47, TF51, U47
• Rode NTK, K2,
• Universal Audio Bock
• Warm Audio WA-47, WA-251, WA-8000, WA-CX12

Ribbon Mics (passive or tube)

• AEA R84, R44, R88 MK2
• Beyer M130, M160, M260, M500,
• Cloud 44 Midnight, JRS-34
• Extinct Audio BM2, BM9
• Royer R10, 121, 122V, SF2, SF-12, SF-24V
• Coles 4038, 4040, 4104B
• Shure KSM313, KSM353
• MXL R144, R77
• Nady RSM-5,
• SE Voodoo VR1, X1 R,
• Golden Age R2 MKII,
• Shotgun Mics (battery powered)
• Rode VideoMic NTG
• Eletret Condensers

• Make sure that your interface or preamp is enabled for +48v of phantom power. The Cloudlifter will not pass a signal without it.
• Be certain to use a passive ribbon or dynamic mic with the Cloudlifter.
• A condenser will not work with the Cloudlifter unless you use an auxiliary mic phantom power source as both the condenser and Cloudlifter require their own phantom power to function.

If this does not fix the issue, contact support@cloudmicrophones.com

If possible, check your Cloudlifter with a different mic to make sure that it isn’t an issue of improper grounding with the mic.

If this does not fix the issue, contact support@cloudmicrophones.com

• Check the Cloudlifters proximity to electrical equipment, dimmer switches, power cables, etc. If it is near one of these sources, move the Cloudlifter to see if the hum stops.
• Listen to the rooms' tone to make sure you are not hearing air conditioning or other operating appliances that create a hum.

If this does not fix the issue, contact support@cloudmicrophones.com

• Check that the cables are not faulty by switching them out.
• Check your headphone amplifier or studio monitor to be sure the levels are not over amplified. If the levels are too high, this can cause hiss.
• Microphones have their own “self-noise” that can be more noticeable when the preamp noise level is lowered using a Cloudlifter. Test a different microphone to see if the issue stops.

If this does not fix the issue, contact support@cloudmicrophones.com

Contact support@cloudmicrophones.com to get personal assistance from one our our Cloud Crew specialists.