Are you thinking of getting a Cloudlifter but not sure if it’s worth the extra expense?
Whether your setup might benefit from an in-line preamp like the Cloudlifter depends on 3 factors:
1. How much gain your interface or mixer preamp has
2. The Mic you’re using to Record
3. The Loudness of the source you wish to record
To use a cloud lifter, you’ll need an extra XLR cable between your mic and the preamp.
Start with your preamp gain all the way down, & Make sure you’ve turned on Phantom Power. Then slowly bring up gain to the desired level.
The Cloudlifter converts phantom power into +25dB of clean gain. This is useful for boosting the output of low-output dynamic or ribbon microphones. Sometimes a cloud lifter is required when these low-output microphones are used with audio interfaces that are designed to gain High-output condenser microphones. While the interface can certain pass signal and even be driven to maximum gain to chase the desired level, this runs a higher risk of unwanted noise colouring the signal.
Here’s a vocal comparison of a Shure SM7B running into a Scarlett 2i2 interface.
The first clip has the mic pre at maximum gain. The second will have the same amount of gain provided by the cloud lifter.
This lowers the amount of gain need from the interface pre amp. The Cloudlifter can be used to lift your sound loud, proud, and high in the clouds.
Some Common Audio Interface Mic Pre Gain Range:
Scarlett 2i2 56dB
Antelope Discrete 4 SC 65 dB
Apollo Twin MKII 65 dB
The CL-1 Cloudlifter provides clean neutral gain that’s essential for passive ribbons in the home studio.
In the next test, I’m going to add 2 compressors in series, the first one set a bit slower to even to the level and a faster one to grab any remaining peaks.
Then We’ll grab a limiter and crank it up 10dB of gain to really bring that vocal up and make any differences more audible.
Finally, a shorter clip with 20dB of gain added.
So what do you think? Do you need an inline preamp?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
In this test with the 2i2 I found the Cloudlifter is useful for lowering your noise floor. but will you benefit?
Are you using a Condenser mic? Then NO, an inline pre amp is not necessary as most interfaces are designed with enough gain to power condenser microphones.
a Dynamic mic however…. YES, well maybe.
While dynamic mic are usually lowered output signals, remember the 2 other considerations: – The volume of the source – The gain of your preamp I mentioned how some interface preamps can definitely be boosted by a Cloudlifter, but only when the source requires doing so.
Drums and Guitar cabinets, likely won’t need one. But your SM7B voiceovers likely would.
