It’s safe to say that it can transform any preamp into a ribbon preamp with high-gain functionality. In addition, it can help maximize the gain staging without spending thousands of dollars. Mic level on the other hand is generally a much weaker signal and as most microphones output at mic level, amplification is required. As mentioned earlier, dynamic microphones like the Shure SM57 tend to require more of a boost than condenser mics. This is because the diaphragm of a dynamic mic needs more sound volume to move and because it’s that movement which produces the electrical signal, the small amount of movement that you get with a dynamic mic means that a weaker signal is generated. I have a particular condenser microphone that needs a high gain setting on my mixer's preamp, and so has a tendency to cause noise because of the near maximum setting. The FetHead Phantom was the answer because this in-line microphone booster takes its power from the phantom power supplied by the mixer at source and in so doing the FetHead's energised circuits enable about + 18dB further gain to be inserted at the right point. The whole purpose of the device is then achieved because it means the mixer gain rotary switch was advanced to a lesser point than without the FetHead and so noise was eliminated. The McBoost is particularly suited to people with advanced setups or anyone who wants a multi-faceted alternative to a Cloudlifter. 4. Cathedral Pipes Durham MKII It tends to boost the audio signals at the source, which means the longer cable run will not sap the vitality of the signals. The best thing about using Cloudlifter is that it has a free lifetime warranty for the labor and parts but you must register the device.

And there is a reason for it – the microphone sounds great, it is relatively cheap, you don’t need a pop shield because the capsule is a safe distance from the top. It’s versatile, and it can take a lot of volume without distorting the sound. However, you must remember that it doesn’t work with a USB-only mic because those microphones don’t create phantom power. Nevertheless, low output dynamic or ribbon microphone users will sift through forum threads looking for ways to add additional gain to counter low-level signals. This need then spawned a new, and rather recent, category of mic activators in the market. Before we look further into these alternatives though, let’s take a look at the Cloudlifter in a bit more detail. There are multiple models in the range but we’ll be looking at the original single channel CL-1 as all the alternatives we’ll cover are also single channel. You should get an instant answer on whether your application has been successful, though in some rare cases Klarna or V12 may need to look at the application in more detail.

With an inteface like the 2i2, you may need to almost max it out. When you do this, you risk introducing noise. Some preamps are noisier than other so it’s up to you what’s acceptable with your particular setup. Triton Audio is a European company which is based in the Netherlands and that’s where its FetHead unit it built. If you have a Shure SM7B and you're looking for that extra gain, I can't recommend the FetHead enough. It's a must have.

It boosts the signal transparently and cleanly, and you don’t have to drive your input gain to the top. If you wanted to spend a bit more and get something new, I’d recommend the Golden Age Project Pre-73 MKIII Microphone Preamp. With +80db of gain, it’s enough to power even the least sensitive of microphones and the warm sound it produces will give you great sounding audio. Conclusion Offering 20 – 25dB of low noise transparent gain, the CL-1 has the ability to adapt to the output of your microphone of choice. This two-stage gain boosting, along with tailor-made impedance loading, makes this a catchall mic activator that can adapt to get the most out of your microphone.

Comparing it with the same mic but without the FetHead, I'd have to keep my microphone gain on my Scarlett 2i2 on max. volume just to get the same amount of gain that I'd get at around 35-40% with the FetHead on the same interface.

FetHead is an ultra-low noise, high quality, in-line microphone preamplifier. It provides improved sound for ribbon and dynamic microphones. Small, compact, but, powerful, Fethead utilizes tried and true FET technology to deliver up to 27dB of clean boost. No more cranking your mic preamp and adding unwanted noise to get your microphone to an acceptable volume.Boost your microphone! This has been our head to head for the two most popular products in the mic activation market. As you can tell, there are pros and cons to both devices. If you can handle a little extra noise in your recordings then the FetHead is the obvious choice, with its ultra-transparent high gain signal boost. If you are less concerned about coloration and are looking for a product that can prescribe gain based on what your mic needs, then the CL-1 is the activator for you. You could be forgiven for thinking that a preamp is a preamp and as long as it gives you the required gain boost, any will do the job. However, different types of preamps exist so there’s more to consider. If you want to get the best sound from your SM57, it’s worth learning about each one and choosing the right type for what you’ll use it for. What is a mic activator? When we record from the camera, we use Rode boom, a condenser, then switch to SM7B, and the volume would be much lower. After recording a few vids like that, I knew I needed a gain booster.The direct-to-mic design might bother content creators who find it visually unappealing for close up videos. That being said, it’s hardly an eyesore and smaller than you might expect. The Dynamite DM-1 from sE Electronics is closer to the FetHead in styling than any of the other options and is another direct-to-mic option unlike the Cloudlifter, the Durham and the McBoost. The FetHead was designed to boost the audio signals by over 20dB before it hits the mic-pre, promising cleaner recordings and less gain. The preamp is integrated with three well-balanced three-pole XLR inputs with female configuration and male configuration to streamline the connection. Also, the unit can be used for full-scale studios as well as podcasts.

Good question! If you’re using an interface which is fairly standard in podcasting circles, a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for example, it has preamps for each of the mic inputs built-in. These will be fine for a condenser mic which outputs a hot signal but to get to the level you need when using a dynamic mic, you’ll need to crank up the gain. This lightweight, portable, and easy-to-use activator adds gain without distorting the audio. If you have a low output ribbon or dynamic mic and an eye for simplistic, no-frills gear, FetHead should meet your needs and more. Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter I would recommend it to anyone who is in that situation with not enough gain to drive the mic, or just barely enough but getting lots of preamp noise. Offering a massive +28db gain boost, it’s also the winner in terms of the raw gain it provides. You’d just need to make sure it wasn’t too ‘hot’ of a signal for the mic and mixer/audio interface combo you’re looking to pair it with. The last thing you want is to have to move too far away from the mic to avoid clipping as your audio quality will suffer as a result. In most cases though, this shouldn’t be an issue but it’s worth keeping in mind when researching your options.Built with a solid steel chassis, the CL-1 is robust and made to stand up to regular use in the studio. What’s nice about them is that they’re manufactured in the US using quality components and Cloud offer a lifetime warranty which says a lot about how long they expect them to last. It is connected to the XLR connection of the mic and will not create any intrusions when it is installed. In addition, it can add weight to the mic and extend the length. Beginner podcasters are best off with a simple USB microphone. One that you connect to your computer and are ready to go. The frequency response test will be carried out by playing pink noise into the Procaster and measuring the results using Room EQ Wizard (For a full tutorial see How to Test Microphone Frequency Response).