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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. The interface or mixer must supply +48 V phantom power to run it. Cloud Microphones specifies up to +25 dB of gain, and recommends the device mainly for passive dynamic and ribbon microphones.
What a Cloudlifter does in the signal chain
A Cloudlifter sits between the microphone and the interface or mixer. It is an extra gain stage—not a replacement for the interface, mixer, or its microphone preamp.
The usual arrangement is:
Passive dynamic or ribbon microphone → Cloudlifter → interface or mixer mic input (phantom power on) → recording system
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The downstream input sends phantom power to operate the Cloudlifter’s 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 is a manufacturer specification, not an independent measurement. See the Cloud Microphones FAQ and CL-1 product page.
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When an inline gain stage may help
It may be useful when a low-output passive microphone requires more gain than the connected interface or mixer can provide comfortably. Passive ribbon microphones are a common example: Shure explains that ribbon output tends to be low and that additional pre-amplification may be necessary, depending on the connected mixer or recording device. Read Shure’s Microphone Techniques for Recording.
An inline gain stage can reduce how much gain you need to dial in on the following preamp. Whether that is useful depends on the microphone’s output, how loud the source is, and the preamp and recording setup. Cloud Microphones describes its gain as clean or transparent and says the device may improve the signal-to-noise experience, but those are manufacturer claims; the cited sources do not establish an independent comparative test showing that every setup will be quieter or sound better.
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Which microphones can you use with a Cloudlifter?
Passive dynamic microphones
Cloud Microphones lists the Shure SM7B, SM57, SM58, Electro-Voice RE20, and Rode PodMic as compatible examples. The device is intended for passive microphones that do not require phantom power for their own operation. Compatibility does not mean every dynamic mic needs extra gain; the microphone and the rest of the signal chain determine that.
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Passive ribbon microphones
Passive ribbons are another intended use. They are a type of dynamic microphone and can have low output, so an additional gain stage may help when the downstream preamp’s available gain is insufficient.
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Condenser microphones
A condenser microphone needs phantom power for its own electronics, but the Cloudlifter does not pass the interface’s phantom power through to the microphone. Cloud Microphones advises using an auxiliary phantom-power supply so the condenser and Cloudlifter each receive the power they need. Do not assume that switching on phantom power at the interface will power a condenser connected through the Cloudlifter.
Wireless receiver outputs
Cloud Microphones says a Cloudlifter can connect to a wireless receiver’s XLR output. Check that the receiver output and following input suit the intended gain and phantom-power arrangement before connecting it.
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Power and connection: how to set it up
- Connect the microphone’s XLR output to the Cloudlifter input.
- Connect the Cloudlifter output to the interface or mixer’s mic input.
- Enable +48 V phantom power on that downstream input. The phantom power runs the Cloudlifter; the manufacturer says the unit will not pass signal without it.
- Set the downstream preamp gain for the recording level you need, then check the signal at the interface or mixer.
For a condenser microphone, use an auxiliary phantom supply as directed by Cloud Microphones; the interface’s phantom power does not pass through the Cloudlifter to power the condenser. Setup details and compatibility guidance appear in the manufacturer’s FAQ.
CL-1 or CL-25 Mini: what differs?
The documented product-family distinction is primarily form factor and how each unit fits a rig. Both models are specified by the manufacturer for up to +25 dB of gain; the CL-25 page also says it uses the same patented JFET circuit as the CL-1 and has built-in Neutrik XLR connectors. These are manufacturer descriptions, not independent side-by-side performance results.
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| Model | Documented form | Channels or connection detail | Gain specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudlifter CL-1 | Original unit | One channel | Up to +25 dB, manufacturer specification |
| Cloudlifter Mini CL-25 | Compact inline design | Built-in Neutrik XLR connectors | Up to +25 dB, manufacturer specification |
Choose based on the physical layout and connection needs of the existing rig. The manufacturer’s descriptions are on its Cloudlifters for Podcasters page and CL-25 product page.
Why a Cloudlifter may not pass a signal
The first check is phantom power: the interface or mixer input connected after the Cloudlifter must supply +48 V. Cloud Microphones’ troubleshooting FAQ states, “The Cloudlifter will not pass a signal without it,” referring to phantom power.
- Confirm +48 V phantom power is enabled on the input connected to the Cloudlifter.
- Check that both XLR connections are seated and the microphone is connected to the Cloudlifter’s input.
- If using a condenser, verify that it has its own suitable phantom-power supply; the Cloudlifter does not pass the downstream phantom power through.
- Check the microphone, cable, selected input, and recording level independently if the signal is still absent.
Do you need one?
Consider a Cloudlifter when you use a compatible passive microphone and the gain available from the following preamp is not enough for your recording level. It will not compensate for poor microphone technique, replace a suitable interface or mixer preamp, or solve a microphone’s unmet power requirement. Check the microphone type and whether the downstream input can provide phantom power before adding one to the chain.
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